TLDR  Minoxidil may cause heart issues in animals and humans.   
  The study investigated the effects of minoxidil on animals and humans. Dogs treated with minoxidil developed lesions in the right atrium of the heart, while humans showed an increasing frequency of histologic changes related to age and hypertension. The study suggests that minoxidil may cause cardiac pathology in animals and humans.
            102 citations
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  September 1977   in “The Lancet”
           102 citations
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  September 1977   in “The Lancet”    Minoxidil with propranolol and diuretics lowers blood pressure but causes fluid retention and hair growth.  
      43 citations
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  January 1977   in “Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology”
           43 citations
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  January 1977   in “Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology”    Minoxidil is mostly safe, but high doses can cause electrolyte imbalances and heart issues in dogs.  
      18 citations
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  July 1975   in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”
           18 citations
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  July 1975   in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”    Oral minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure quickly and safely.  
      180 citations
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  July 1973   in “The New England Journal of Medicine”
           180 citations
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  July 1973   in “The New England Journal of Medicine”    Minoxidil effectively lowers blood pressure with few side effects.  
    
  
        
        28 citations
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  January 1989   in “Toxicologic Pathology”
           28 citations
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  January 1989   in “Toxicologic Pathology”    Minoxidil may cause heart changes; use caution and monitor patients with heart conditions.  
      27 citations
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  August 1984   in “Experimental and Molecular Pathology”
           27 citations
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  August 1984   in “Experimental and Molecular Pathology”         23 citations
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  June 1996   in “Toxicology”
           23 citations
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  June 1996   in “Toxicology”    Older rats more affected by minoxidil's cardiotoxic effects than younger rats.  
      34 citations
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  January 1989   in “Toxicologic Pathology”
           34 citations
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  January 1989   in “Toxicologic Pathology”    A study found that minoxidil can damage the hearts of dogs and pigs, cautioning its use in humans.  
      43 citations
,
  January 1977   in “Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology”
           43 citations
,
  January 1977   in “Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology”    Minoxidil is mostly safe, but high doses can cause electrolyte imbalances and heart issues in dogs.