Papers of the Week

The incidence rates of heart failure (HF) and chronic pain increase with age. In the geriatric population, both disorders often coexist and pose a challenge to clinicians in treating them simultaneously. We conducted an online literature search for reports of the heart failure effects of pharmacological treatments for chronic pain. Topical pain medications are favored agents because of their efficacy, tolerability, and favorable side-effect profile. Acetaminophen is a preferred oral medication for the treatment of pain in patients with HF. Due to deleterious effects including HF, the long-term use of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and gabapentinoids are discouraged. Prescribers should thoroughly consider the risk-benefit ratio and individual patient-risk profile before instituting pharmacological treatment for chronic pain in patients with HF.