Painkillers Linked to Risk of Heart Attack
A new study has found a link between common painkillers, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and an increased risk of heart attack. It does not matter how many painkillers or how often one takes them, the risk of having a heart attack rose with about 20 to 50 per cent. The researchers reached this conclusion when they compared the increased risk of heart attack with the one of a healthy person, who is not taking painkillers. Still, people should know that this was only an observational research. It does not necessarily mean that if you take painkillers you will end up having a heart attack.
A link between painkillers and heart attack
Ibuprofen, diclofenac, celecoxib and naproxen are among the common painkillers everybody can buy over the counter. However, people need a prescription from their doctor in case of a higher dose. Painkillers usually relieve pain or help with fever resulted from a wide variety of causes. From the flu to headaches, back pain or even menstrual cramps. People do not usually take painkillers with regularity, like a treatment. Instead, they take them when needed, from time to time, and in small doses.
According to Dr. Michèle Bally, the leader of the research, the risk of heart attack increased from the first week of taking the drugs. Within the first month, the risk was even greater. So, the conclusion the researcher reached was that if you take painkillers for a week, a month or longer, you increase the risk of having a heart attack. It is worth noting that the risk suddenly decreased after the people stopped taking the drugs. The team of researchers are advising the doctors and their patients to better think about the risk of taking such drugs, especially frequently. Are they doing more harm than good? Do they take you out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Doctors and patients should be careful
It is interesting to note that, according to the World Health Organization, heart attacks are the number one cause of death in the entire world. Each year, about 735,000 people in the United States suffer from a heart attack. Over 200,000 hospital visits annually in the United States are because of heart attacks. So, this is a serious matter and doctors should advise their patients to not blindly take any drug over the counter. Their life might be at stake.
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