People with epilepsy face higher risks of heart problems and weak bones, according to a new review of medical research. Scientists are discovering that epilepsy affects more than just the brain—it can impact the heart and bones too. The medications used to treat seizures may also play a role in these health issues. Doctors are now realizing they should check their epilepsy patients’ hearts and bones more carefully, and choose medications that cause fewer of these side effects. This research shows that treating epilepsy means looking at the whole body, not just controlling seizures.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How epilepsy and seizure medications affect heart health and bone strength, and why doctors should pay attention to these connections
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research, so it didn’t involve new patients. Instead, scientists looked at many previous studies about epilepsy and its effects on the heart and bones
  • Key finding: People with epilepsy have a higher risk of heart disease and weak bones. Both the seizures themselves and the medications used to treat them can contribute to these problems
  • What it means for you: If you have epilepsy, ask your doctor about checking your heart health and bone strength regularly. Work together to find seizure medications that work well while minimizing risks to your heart and bones

The Research Details

This was a review article, which means scientists looked at many existing studies about epilepsy and its effects on the heart and bones, rather than conducting a brand new experiment. They examined what researchers have learned about how seizures and seizure medications affect these different body systems. By reviewing all this information together, they could identify patterns and connections that might not be obvious from looking at individual studies alone. This type of research helps doctors understand the bigger picture of how epilepsy impacts overall health.

A review like this is important because it brings together knowledge from many different studies to show doctors that epilepsy is not just a brain condition. By understanding all the ways epilepsy can affect the body, doctors can provide better, more complete care. They can watch for heart and bone problems early, before they become serious. This approach helps patients live healthier lives overall.

This review was published in a respected medical journal called Current Opinion in Neurology, which means it was checked by experts before publication. However, because it reviews existing research rather than conducting new experiments, the strength of the findings depends on the quality of the studies it examined. Some areas need more research to give doctors clearer guidelines on what to do

What the Results Show

The review found that people with epilepsy have a higher risk of heart disease and heart rhythm problems. During seizures, the body releases large amounts of stress chemicals that can injure the heart muscle. Seizures can also cause the brain to not get enough oxygen, which stresses the heart. Over time, this can lead to irregular heartbeats, weakened heart function, and faster buildup of plaque in arteries (a condition called atherosclerosis). The relationship between epilepsy and heart disease goes both ways—epilepsy can cause heart problems, and heart problems can also trigger seizures. Additionally, some seizure medications that work by speeding up the body’s metabolism can raise cholesterol levels and make heart disease more likely. These medications can also make cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) less effective.

The review also highlighted serious concerns about bone health in people with epilepsy. Both types of seizure medications—those that speed up metabolism and those that don’t—can weaken bones by interfering with vitamin D, which is essential for bone strength. Weak bones mean a higher risk of fractures from falls or injuries. The research suggests that bone problems may be as important to monitor as heart problems in epilepsy care, but doctors don’t yet have clear guidelines for how often to check bone health or how to prevent these problems

This review builds on earlier research showing that epilepsy affects more than just the brain. Previous studies had identified some heart risks in epilepsy patients, but this review brings together evidence showing that the problem is broader and more serious than previously thought. It also highlights that bone health is an important concern that hasn’t received as much attention as heart health. The review suggests that doctors need to think about epilepsy as a ‘whole-body’ condition rather than just a brain disorder

This review has some important limitations. It examined existing studies rather than conducting new research, so the quality of conclusions depends on what studies have already been done. Some areas don’t have enough research yet, making it hard to give doctors clear recommendations. The review also notes that formal guidelines for screening and managing heart and bone problems in epilepsy patients don’t yet exist, so doctors may not know exactly what to do. More research is needed to understand the best ways to prevent and treat these complications

The Bottom Line

If you have epilepsy: (1) Ask your doctor about regular heart health checkups, including blood pressure monitoring and possibly heart imaging; (2) Discuss which seizure medications might be best for you, considering their effects on heart and bone health; (3) Get your bone health checked, especially if you’ve been taking seizure medications for a long time; (4) Make sure you get enough vitamin D and calcium through diet or supplements; (5) Stay physically active, which helps both heart and bone health. These recommendations are based on growing evidence but aren’t yet official medical guidelines

Anyone with epilepsy should pay attention to this research, especially people who have had seizures for many years or who take multiple medications. People with a family history of heart disease should be extra vigilant. However, this research doesn’t apply to people without epilepsy. If you’re newly diagnosed with epilepsy, talk to your doctor about these findings when choosing your treatment plan

Heart and bone problems develop slowly over time, so you won’t notice changes overnight. It may take months or years for problems to develop, which is why regular checkups are important. If you make changes to your medication or lifestyle, give yourself at least 3-6 months to see improvements in heart and bone health markers

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your blood pressure weekly and log any heart palpitations or unusual heartbeats. Also record your calcium and vitamin D intake daily, and note any falls or bone pain. Set reminders for scheduled heart and bone health appointments with your doctor
  • Use the app to set daily reminders for calcium and vitamin D intake through food or supplements. Create a medication log to track which seizure medications you’re taking and any side effects. Set monthly reminders to check in with yourself about energy levels and any new symptoms
  • Create a long-term health dashboard that tracks: (1) Blood pressure readings over time; (2) Medication changes and their dates; (3) Scheduled doctor appointments for heart and bone screening; (4) Daily nutrition intake related to bone health; (5) Any symptoms or concerns to discuss with your doctor at appointments

This article reviews scientific research about connections between epilepsy, heart health, and bone health. It is not medical advice and should not replace conversations with your doctor. If you have epilepsy, work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized plan for managing your condition and monitoring your overall health. Do not change your seizure medications without talking to your doctor first. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or severe heart symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.