Old, Common Anti-Inflammatory Drug Effectively Reduces Recurrent Heart Inflammation

Colchicine may treat heart conditions such as myocarditis that are rising in the wake of COVID-19 and its vaccines, a new study shows.

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A little-known plant that ancient Egyptians used to treat joint pain may provide relief for a rare heart condition on the rise.

Cases of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, have steadily increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began. However, new research shows promise for an inexpensive, centuries-old drug called colchicine, which has been used to treat gout.

1800s Gout Remedy May Also Treat Swelling of Heart Tissue

Colchicine, derived from the autumn crocus plant, is one of the oldest herbal remedies. Though isolated in the early 1800s, it remains in use today to treat gout.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, colchicine is already recommended for pericarditis, which is swelling of the thin, fluid-filled sac covering the heart’s outer surface. However, new research finds that this inexpensive medication can also help patients with myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle.

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The heart’s outer lining touches the heart itself, which can sometimes cause myocarditis, Dr. Jeffrey Kuvin, senior vice president of cardiology, co-director of the Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, and chair of cardiology at North Shore University Hospital, told The Epoch Times.

“So we often see the two together, pericarditis and myocarditis. In fact, we call it perimyocarditis,” he added.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Heart, looked at 175 patients with a first pericarditis attack affecting the heart muscle. Seventy-nine were treated with colchicine. Only 19 percent of the colchicine group had a recurrence, compared with nearly 44 percent of the untreated group. Researchers concluded colchicine is safe and effective for reducing recurrence risk in those with both types of heart inflammation.

Colchicine May Lower Heart Attack Risk

Colchicine is a nonspecific anti-inflammatory drug, Dr. Kuvin said. Although the BMJ study shows it can help relieve myocarditis, colchicine “has now gained favor in another form of heart disease, and that is coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis,” he added.

Another study, published recently in Diabetes Care, found that patients with Type 2 diabetes who recently had a heart attack derived “a large benefit” from inflammation-reducing therapy with colchicine. Taking 0.5 milligrams (mg) of colchicine daily led to a significant reduction in cardiovascular events. The authors wrote that the results support conducting a trial to see if colchicine could help prevent heart attacks in the first place.

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The drug received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 0.5-mg tablet form (as Lodoco) to become the first specific anti-inflammatory drug shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death in adults with atherosclerotic disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Atherosclerosis has an inflammatory component. It’s not just plaque buildup from cholesterol; inflammation can also worsen it, Dr. Kuvin said. He said it is “intriguing” that colchicine and other drugs, such as the monoclonal antibody canakinumab, can help people live longer without cardiovascular events.

Viral Infections, Vaccines Linked to More Severe Myocarditis

Finding more and cheaper ways to treat heart inflammation may become crucial as rates increase globally, even among newborns. In May 2023, the World Health Organization reported an “unusual” rise in viral myocarditis among infants in the United Kingdom.

“Even the common cold can give us pericarditis and sometimes myocarditis,” Dr. Kuvin said. There are links between heart inflammation and COVID-19 infection and vaccines, he added. Recent research has confirmed a link between COVID-19 vaccination and myocarditis, and that the association was particularly strong in young men.

A study published in Circulation in 2023 followed 40 teens aged 12 to 18 for up to one year after they were diagnosed with COVID-19 vaccine-related heart inflammation. MRIs showed abnormal results in 26, including 19 with signs of scarring.

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Viral infections are considered the leading cause of what is medically described as a generally benign, transient condition. However, one expert warns about potential, longer-term consequences.

“We’ve got no clue what this does to people in the long term,” Dr. Jack Wolfson, a board-certified cardiologist and the author of “The Paleo Cardiologist: The Natural Way to Heart Health,” told The Epoch Times.

Historically, myocarditis patients have elevated heart attack, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy risks.

“But to sit there and say that these things are benign, you know, obviously would be wrong,” he added.

Dr. Wolfson said that ultimately, people can either go on with life after myocarditis and see how they fare, or they can take proactive measures such as eating well, living well, thinking positively, taking evidence-based supplements such as berberine, and learning biohacking techniques to promote optimal longevity despite past heart damage.