Since the early 2000s, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated an association between the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, in particular heart attacks and strokes. This information was relayed by our colleagues at Top Santé. Indeed, NSAIDs, which include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, block the activity of the enzymes involved in a myriad of processes involving multiple functions related to inflammation or blood clotting.
NSAIDs linked to heart attack and stroke
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. They also include COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib. These drugs are present in the products under the Trademarks Motrin, Aleve, Voltaren and Celebrex, respectively. These drug classes are extremely popular because they help consumers treat a variety of ailments, including pain relief, inflammation, headaches and fever reduction. In addition, they are inexpensive and many, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, do not require a prescription.
However, their chronic use has been linked to serious medical complications such as ulcers, kidney failure and heart problems. A study of the European Heart Journal showed that the use of NSAIDs (especially ibuprofen and diclofenac) increased the risk of cardiac arrest.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), revealed an increased risk of heart attack in people taking ibuprofen or naproxen. In this study, the team looked at the records of 460,000 patients, 61,000 of whom had a heart attack, and found that the higher the dose of NSAIDs, the higher the risk. They studied celecoxib, naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac and, after only one month of daily use of one of these drugs, a 24 to 58% increase in the risk of heart attack was noted. Although this seems high, the absolute risk is still low and it was an observational study rather than a study testing the causes and effects.
The study's author, Dr. Michele Bally, said that these numbers do not mean that a person is at 20-50% risk of having a heart attack after taking these medications, but explains that "if a person has need to treat an occasional pain, fever or inflammation, she must consider all the available treatment alternatives and get help from the health care providers ".
Why would NSAIDs cause a heart attack?
According to one theory, the drug could cause the suppression of prostacyclin, a cardioprotective lipid (prostaglandin), which inhibits platelet activation and vasodilatation (relaxation of blood vessels). NSAIDs are also known to increase blood pressure, probably by this inhibition of vasodilatation. This type of stress on a heart, especially if it is vulnerable to abnormal heart rhythms or heart disease, can cause cardiac arrest.
Prevent heart disease
First of all, you should know the risk factors. These include:
· Family history of heart disease
· Personal history of heart disease
· Hypertension
· High cholesterol
· Diabetes
· Cigarette
· Obesity
· Inactivity
· Men over 40
· Menopausal women
· High stress
That said, we all face cardiovascular disease. However, there are several ways to reduce the risks:
· Maintain normal blood pressure
· Maintain normal blood glucose
· Maintain normal cholesterol and lipid levels
· Reduce stress
· Maintain a balanced diet containing foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, apples, avocados, spinach, cabbage, mushrooms, lentils, etc.
· Stop smoking
· Maintain an active lifestyle
· Maintain a healthy weight.
