NSAIDs May Double Risk of Dying from Heart Disease

We already knew that taking NSAIDs could increase anyone's risk of having a heart attack or stroke.¹ This new study shows that people who already have heart problems are particularly vulnerable.²

Researchers at the University of Florida analyzed nearly three years of data from more than 20,000 people with high blood pressure and heart disease, dividing them into two groups — those who took NSAIDs frequently and those who didn't.

Those who used a lot of NSAIDs had a:

• 47% higher risk of having a non-fatal heart attack, a non-fatal stroke, or of dying.
• 66% higher risk of having a heart attack.
• 90% higher risk of dying from any cause.
• 126% higher risk of dying from heart disease.

"Alternative modes of pain relief should be considered (for patients with high blood pressure and heart disease)," concluded the researchers.

The good news is that those safe and natural "alternative modes" that the researchers were referring to definitely exist!

References

¹"Cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: network meta-analysis," BMJ 2011; 342 doi: 10.1136/bmj.c7086 (Published 11 January 2011)

²"Harmful Effects of NSAIDs among Patients with Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease," Bavry AA, Kahliq A, Gong Y, et al. The American Journal of Medicine, 2011, 124, 614-620.