People who take a common type of pain reliever called NSAIDs are at an increased risk of heart failure, according to new research. This is just the latest red flag about these drugs.
Millions of people take NSAIDs for achy joints, sinus pressure or other types of pain. NSAID is short for Non-Steroidal, Anti-Inflammatory Drug.
NSAIDs include Naproxin, like Aleve, Ibuprofen, like Motrin and Advil and aspirin. NSAIDs also come in prescription-strength doses, which was the focus of the study.
The study of 10 million people shows the use of prescription NSAIDS raises the risk of heart failure by 20 percent. The risk increases with the amount of NSAIDs a person takes, up to 50 percent for people who take very high doses. The findings were published in the Sept. 28 issue of The BMJ.
"Our findings, which focused only prescription NSAIDs, might apply to over the counter NSAIDs as well," study author Andrea Arfe said. "Although over the counter NSAIDs are typically used at lower doses and for shorter durations, they are sometimes available at the same doses as prescription NSAIDs and they may be inappropriately overused."
This is just the latest of many warnings about NSAIDs. Previous research revealed they are responsible for 16,000 deaths each year, and 100,000 hospitalizations, from things like kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and ulcers.
Gastroenterologist Daniel Neumann says he sees a lot patients with serious intestinal bleeding brought on by taking NSAIDs.
He says you should be concerned if you, "Develop a change in the color of your stool, black, tarry bowel movements, you start to have vomiting, nausea, you're throwing up stuff that looks like coffee, black coffee-ground like material. Even in the absence of pain this could be a sign of intestinal bleeding."
Despite the risks associated with NSAIDs, patients should talk to their doctor before they quit using them because they do perform the important function of reducing inflammation. A patient's personal physician is best qualified to help weigh the benefits versus the risks of taking an NSAID, taking into consideration the patient's unique medical history and circumstances.
But you can often do that just by switching to an anti-inflammatory diet: one high in fresh vegetables and healthy fats, but low in sugar and other refined carbohydrates and processed foods.
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