Could Everyday Painkillers Increase Your Heart Attack Risk?

Popping a few ibuprofen here and there can get rid pain that won’t go away on its own, but if you take this common painkiller in high doses for a long time, you could be putting your heart wellness at risk. This is according to a new study, published in the Lancet, which found that prolonged use of ibuprofen and diclofenac, can slightly increase your risk of heart problems.

 

It has already been suggested that there’s a slight risk with taking these common painkillers, but a team of researchers at the University of Oxford analysed the issue in unprecedented detail in order to help you to make an informed choice. The researchers assessed the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs using more than 353,000 patient records from 639 separate clinical trials.

 

The results showed that, for every 1,000 people taking high-dose prescription levels of the drugs, there would be three additional heart attacks, four more cases of heart failure and one death, as well as cases of stomach bleeding. Lead researcher Professor Colin Baigent noted, ‘Three per thousand per year sounds like it is quite a low risk, but the judgement has to be made by patients.’ He added, ‘So if you’re a patient and you go and sit in front of your doctor and discuss it, you are the one who should be making the judgement about whether three per thousand per year is worth it to allow you, potentially, to go about your daily life.’

 

According to Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK, the drugs are a ‘lifeline’ for the wellbeing of millions of people with arthritis and are ‘extremely effective in relieving pain.’ Yet, he conceded ‘because of their potential side-effects, in particular the increased risk of cardiovascular complications which has been known for a number of years, there is an urgent need to find alternatives that are as effective, but safer.’

 

Professor Donald Singer, a member of the British Pharmacological Society and from the University of Warwick, commented, ‘The findings underscore a key point for patients and prescribers; powerful drugs may have serious harmful effects. It is therefore important for prescribers to take into account these risks and ensure patients are fully informed about the medicines they are taking.’

Categories: Heart Problems, Ibuprofen, Research

Ibuprofen, Aspirin or Paracetemol: Which Should You Take?

The names and ingredients in common over-the-counter pain relievers and cold remedies can be confusing. What’s the difference between ibuprofen, paracetemol and aspirin? Do you take one for some conditions and a different one for others? Let’s take a look at the different kinds of pain killers, and which is best for your wellbeing.

There’s no cheat sheet that says you should use one pain reliever in some cases, and a different one in others. The truth is that most popular pain relievers are so similar that it doesn’t matter. What’s really important is that the pain reliever doesn’t react badly with medication you’re taking, doesn’t affect a condition you already have (like high blood pressure or liver disease), and you don’t take too much. There are two families of pain relievers: ibuprofen/naproxen and acetaminophen (paracetemol). In most cases, a doctor will tell you to try ibuprofen first (or naproxen if you want something longer lasting), before you move on to paracetemol.

Here are some of the pain relievers you’re likely to come across.

• Aspirin. You can get brands of aspirin or generic varieties, and it used to be really popular for aches and pains. However, Dr. Daniel Weiswasser, a board-certified internist and paediatrician, notes, ‘I would point out that aspirin is typically not used for pain relief anymore; it’s used more typically for its platelet inhibition, which leads to thinning of the blood, which is thought to reduce the risk of heart attacks in those who have had heart attacks already in the past.’


• Ibuprofen. This is an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) pain reliever, which most wellness experts consider to be the best for day-to-day aches and pains, as well as bringing down a fever. Dr. Weiswasser comments, ‘NSAID side effects include stomach upset and ulcers. Like their cousin, aspirin, they also inhibit platelet action, although to a lesser degree. They interfere with the cardioprotective effect of aspirin, may exacerbate heart failure, and may raise blood pressure. They can also worsen kidney disease.’


• Paracetemol. Otherwise known as acetaminophen, paracetemol is used for more minor aches and pains, and as a pain reliever in combination with other drugs. You’ll also find it in cough and cold remedies, or used to bring down a fever. Paracetemol doesn’t have anti-swelling properties, but Dr. Weiswasser warns that acetaminophen overuse is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States, and it’s important never to exceed the recommended dose.

Categories: aspirin, Ibuprofen, paracetamol