Pain Relievers Raise Risk of Heart Attacks

Common pain relievers used by millions every day appear to increase the risk of a heart attack. Danish scientists studied health records of over one million citizens between 1997 and 2005. The average age of the participants was around 40. Those who used the pain reliever ibuprofen had a higher risk of stroke. Higher doses were also associated with an increased risk of heart attack.
This isn’t the first time non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been implicated in cardiovascular complications. When Vioxx was withdrawn from the market several years ago it was because of an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The Dutch researchers found that the prescription NSAID diclofenac, sold under the brand names Cataflam and Voltaren, was about as risky as the banned Vioxx. One pain reliever seemed less problematic, however. Naproxen, sold under the brand name Aleve, was not linked to heart attacks or strokes. Patients, especially those with high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease, should discuss the new findings with their physicians. Choosing the most appropriate pain reliever could be a matter of life and death.
[Circulation, June 8, 2010]