Ibuprofen linked to increased risk of cardiac arrest

A recent study has linked the use of ibuprofen with increased cardiovascular risk.

Researchers in Denmark conducted a study focusing on potential correlation between the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-drugs (NSAIDs) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

NSAIDs are some of the most commonly used drugs worldwide and include ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac among others.

The study examined a total of 28,947 patients over a ten-year period who had an OHCA in Denmark. From these, the researchers highlight the 3,376 people who had been treated with an NSAID up to 30 days before their cardiac arrest.

Because many NSAIDs can only be acquired by prescription in Denmark, the study was able to identify those patients who had taken the drug before suffering an OHCA.

The most common drugs associated an OHCA were diclofenac and ibuprofen, making up 51% and 22% of the total NSAID use.

Importantly, since the study only used data from drugs prescribed to patients, there was no way they could know about patients’ use of ibuprofen if it was bought over the counter.

It should also be mentioned that the study only highlights an association between the use of NSAIDs and the risk and cardiac arrest, and in no way proves they caused the person’s cardiac arrest. Other factors such as chronic diseases and other prescribed drugs could have played a part in the person’s cardiac arrest.  

Professor Gunnar H. Gislason, at Copenhagen University Hospital led the study and warned about the ability to purchase the drugs without guidance or a prescription.

‘Allowing these drugs to be purchased without a prescription, and without any advice or restrictions, sends a message to the public that they must be safe,” Previous studies have shown that NSAIDs are related to increased cardiovascular risk which is a concern because they are widely used.” He said.

He continued saying: “The current message being sent to the public about NSAIDs is wrong. If you can buy these drugs in a convenience store then you probably think ‘they must be safe for me’. Our study adds to the evidence about the adverse cardiovascular effects of NSAIDs and confirms that they should be taken seriously, and used only after consulting a healthcare professional.”