Common pain relievers such as ibuprofen increase the risk of a heart attack

Researchers Call for Better Enlightenment in Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Many people in Germany are taking Ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in severe pain. Researchers found that the intake of ibuprofen increased the likelihood of a heart attack by 31 percent.

The researchers at Copenhagen University Hosptial Gentofte found that Ibuprofen significantly increases the risk of a heart attack. In other medications from the same family of pain medications, a similar risk arose. The physicians published the results of their study in the medical journal " Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy ".

Strict controls should be

introduced Certain painkillers increase the risk of suffering a heart attack. Many of these drugs may be purchased without a prescription. There is therefore no advice or restrictions for the buyer in the acquisition. It is therefore urgently necessary to introduce more stringent controls on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, writes Professor Gunnar Gislason of Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte.

Diclofenac increases risk of cardiac arrest by 50 percent

Taking Ibuprofen may increase the risk of a heart attack by 31 percent. Another drug with similar effects is diclofenac, which increased the risk by 50 percent. By the year 2015 this drug could still be freely purchased in the UK. Nowadays it is only available on prescription, explain the Danish scientists.

Diclofenac and ibuprofen are by no means harmless

The results of the study clearly show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are by no means harmless. Diclofenac and ibuprofen are both quite common painkillers, which are associated with a marked increased risk of a heart attack, the researchers say. Presumably, such drugs should not be used in patients with cardiovascular disease or many cardiovascular risk factors, according to the scientists' assessment.

Affected drugs should only be sold in pharmacies

I do not believe that such medicines should be freely marketed if there is no professional advice on how to use them, explains Professor Gislason. This form of painkillers should only be sold in pharmacies, in limited quantities and in low doses, according to the expert. If such medicines are freely available everywhere, this results in a false impression on the public. Many people think that the use of such painkillers is safe, adds the physician. "Our study shows the evidence for the adverse cardiovascular effects of so-called NSAIDs. Such medicines should only be taken after consultation with medical professionals, says Prof. Gislason.

What is the main cause of a heart attack? 

The most common cause of a cardiac arrest is a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation. Without immediate treatment, death occurs within a few minutes, explain the Danish experts.

Researchers examine the data of ten years

The researchers analyzed the data of all patients in Denmark who suffered a heart attack between 2001 and 2010 for their study. The use of NSAIDs during the month before the cardiac arrest was then tested for all affected persons. In the ten-year period of the study, 28,947 patients had a heart attack. Of these, 3,376 were treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug within one month before the heart failure, the researchers say.

No evidence for increased risk of naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib

There were three so-called NSAIDs, which did not lead to a statistically significant increase in the risk of a heart attack. These included naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib. The results could also be due to a small sample size, the authors explain.

Effects of the painkillers on the cardiovascular system

The drugs exert numerous effects on the cardiovascular system, such as influencing blood platelet aggregation and the formation of blood clots. These effects could contribute to the explanation of the results, the researchers said. Such drugs can also narrow arteries and increase blood pressure, the scientists add.

People should not take more than 1200 mg ibuprofen daily

Diclofenac is particularly risky and should therefore be avoided by patients with cardiovascular disease and the general population. There are safe drugs that have similar painkiller effects, the experts emphasize. So there is no reason to use diclofenac. In addition, people should never take more than 1,200 mg ibuprofen in one day, explains Professor Gislason.