After reviewing the records of 2.9 million patients, researchers found that people who take proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Dexilant, etc) are 16-21% more likely to suffer from a myocardial infarction (a heart attack). They determined that for every 4357 people who used PPIs for 14 days, there would be one additional heart attack when compared to people not using the PPIs.

This is a considerable amount, given there were 113 million prescriptions for PPIs last year alone.

The researchers go on to recommend: “We do think patients should think about their risk and benefits and should discuss their risk with their doctors. The risk is real and ought be investigated.”