Enbrel and Heart Attacks

There are several possible side effects of Enbrel, and heart attacks appear to be a rare side effect of the medication. During clinical trials, heart or blood vessel problems, such as congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and high blood pressure, were reported in less than 1.5 percent of people taking Enbrel. Given how rarely these problems were reported, along with how common heart disease is in today's society, it is difficult to say whether these side effects are directly related to Enbrel.

 

Does Enbrel Cause Heart Attacks?

There are several possible side effects for people taking Enbrel® (etanercept). Heart problems, including heart attacks, have been reported as rare side effects in clinical studies of Enbrel. Given how rarely these problems were reported, along with how common heart disease and other problems are in today's society, it is difficult to say whether these side effects are related to the medicine and, if so, how much of a role they play.
 

Enbrel Heart Problems: What's the Risk?

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which thousands of people are given a particular medicine and are then compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, the side effects are always documented. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
The following heart or blood vessel problems were reported in less than 1.5 percent of people taking Enbrel:
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;