Aching heart: Taking painkillers for a week may increase attack risk

According to a recent study, a link between taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) painkillers, such as ibuprofen, and an increase in cardiac arrest has been found, possibly even within the first seven days of taking the medication.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, was an observational study, therefore, cause and effect of cardiac complications could not be conclusively established. Examining all five NSAIDs, the researchers found an increased risk of a cardiac event even within the first week of use, concluding that there was a greater than 90% probability that all the NSAIDs studied were associated with the risk of heart attack.

“Given that the onset of risk of acute myocardial infarction [heart attack] occurred in the first week and appeared greatest in the first month of treatment with higher doses, prescribers should consider weighing the risks and benefits of NSAIDs before instituting treatment, particularly for higher doses,” emphasized lead author, Michèle Bally, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Canada.

The study examined data of nearly half a million people from healthcare databases across several countries. Out of this data, the team found that 61,460 people had experienced a heart attack.

From their results, the team determined that there was a potential increase of risk of 75% for ibuprofen and naproxen, with that risk being more than 100% for rofecoxib. However, there was greatest uncertainty about the extent of this increased risk for ibuprofen and naproxen. Once patients had stopped taking the NSAIDs, however, the risk of heart attack decreased and returned to normal levels of risk over time, which indicates no lasting effects.

“For an individual the risk is extremely low,” Bally continued, “so we would want to reassure people. The idea is to make them aware that if they take these medicines on an occasional basis you should consider alternatives.”