These common painkillers may increase risk of heart attack
A common painkiller such as ibuprofen has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack. The new study published in the influential medical journal BMJ suggest the risk could be the greatest in the first 30 days of taking the drugs, according to a BBC report.
In the study an international team of scientists analysed data from 446,763 people to try to understand when heart problems might arise.
The scientists focused on people prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib and naproxen) by doctors rather than those who bought the painkillers over the counter.
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After studying data from Canada, Finland and the UK, researchers found that taking this type of painkillers to treat pain and inflammation could raise the risk of heart attacks even in the first week of use.
The risk was seen especially in the first month when people were taking high doses (for example more than 1200mg of ibuprofen a day) .
But scientists say there are a number of factors that make it difficult to be absolutely certain of the link. Factors such as smoking and obesity – could not be taken into account fully and could be partly to blame.
Meanwhile, the current UK guidelines state that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs must be used carefully in people with heart problems and in some cases (such as very severe heart failure) they should not be used at all.
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