Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Arimidex as follows:
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Arimidex intake carries the risk of increasing the blood lipid levels and can contribute to forming atherogenic blocks in the blood vessels. Atherosclerosis can increase the risk for compromised blood supply to the heart muscle and individuals can present with episodes of chest pain or discomfort, exacerbation of shortness of breath, and even heart attack, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death.
- Atherosclerosis, secondary to Arimidex use, can also result in elevated blood pressure and in some individuals can significantly increase the risk for development of stroke. Individuals, secondary to stroke can present with sudden weakness on one side of the body or any extremity, trouble speaking, and sudden deterioration of vision.
- Also, compromised blood supply to the cardiac muscle and elevated serum calcium can result in altered function and development of cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Patients taking Arimidex can present with increased thickness of blood and risk for blood clot/thrombus formation. Watch out closely for any sudden onset of signs of clot formation, deep venous thrombosis, such as, pain in the calf muscle, episodes of sudden cough and exacerbated shortness of breath, chest pain, and in severe cases can present with numbness or weakness, especially in one half of the body, poor balance, problems with speech and/or vision, severe headache, and confusion.
