It is enough to take one of the popular painkillers for a week – such as ibuprofen – to significantly increase the risk of a heart attack, according to the latest research.
Scientists warn patients to limit their intake of painkillers and take them for the shortest possible time. It turns out that commonly available painkillers increase the risk of a heart attack by over 50%.
Researchers have for some time suspected that potentially fatal cardiovascular events could be related to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including diclofenac and naproxen. However, it was not certain how long a patient could take these preparations without risking health.
The latest study – the largest of its kind – found that anti-inflammatory drugs can markedly increase the risk of a heart attack in the first week of their use, with the researchers finding that the association is most pronounced in the first month.
The authors of a study published in the British Medical Journal urge doctors to consider the risks associated with such therapy before prescribing painkillers to patients.
Because the study was observational – that is, it looked at prescribed medications and the health of more than 446 patients – scientists are not sure why anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of a heart attack.
Previous research has shown that perhaps this is because these drugs block a hormone called prostacyclin that protects the blood vessels. increased risk of heart attack, says Dr. Mike Knapton, medical director of the British Heart Foundation.
– Both patients who are prescribed painkillers such as ibuprofen and those who buy them over the counter should know the risks associated with taking these pills and, if possible, consider alternative therapies.
The authors of the study, scientists from Canada, Finland and Germany, noted a “sharp increase in risk” of a heart attack in the first week of taking painkillers. The risk was highest within the first month of therapy.
Interestingly, the use of painkillers for more than a month did not increase the risk compared to their shorter use. In contrast, the risk of myocardial infarction was more pronounced in patients taking high-dose painkillers.
Taking painkillers in high doses for eight to thirty days, ie more than 1200 mg ibuprom, 750 mg naproxen and more than 25 mg rofecoxib per day, proved to be the most harmful.
– These painkillers are one of the most commonly used pills in the world – comments Prof. Jane Mitchell, head of the research group at Imperial College London. – The increase in the risk of a heart attack does not seem high, but when the scale of the use of painkillers is taken into account, the problem turns out to be serious.
“Patients, doctors and pharmaceutical companies are all worried. Concerns that the increased risk of heart attack is related to agents such as celocoxib and ibuprofen have slowed the development of this class of drugs to almost zero. -Do not forget that some of these drugs have been shown to be helpful in preventing certain types of cancer, but are not used because of their side effects.
The scientific community notes that the new study does not provide evidence of a causal relationship between pain medication use and myocardial infarction, and stresses that cardiovascular events may be influenced by other factors.
For example, an increased risk of a heart attack may be related to a condition that compels the patient to take painkillers rather than the medications themselves.
Myocardial infarction – how to recognize and help?
A heart attack, also known as a heart attack, is a serious medical condition in which the blood supply to the heart suddenly becomes blocked – usually due to a blood clot forming. Cardiac ischemia can severely damage the heart muscle. Requires immediate medical attention.
The most common symptoms:
– chest pain – you may feel that a heavy object is pressing or pressing down on your chest, the pain may radiate to the jaw, neck, arms and back;
– breathing problem;
– weakness and / or dizziness;
– overwhelming anxiety.
Not everyone experiences severe chest pain; the pain may be mild and is then easily mistaken for indigestion. A heart attack is manifested by a cluster of symptoms, not just by the severity of chest pain.
First aid in the event of a heart attack:
call this number 999 (or 112) and ask for an ambulance to be sent if you suspect you or someone around you is having a heart attack.
If the patient is not allergic to aspirin and the drug is on hand, it should be given (preferably 300 mg). The patient should chew the tablet slowly and swallow while waiting for the emergency doctor to arrive. Aspirin thins the blood and reduces the risk of a heart attack.
Further therapy depends on the seriousness of the heart attack. Anticoagulants and surgery are most commonly used to restore blood flow to the heart.