Common Painkillers Increase Heart Failure Risk

Pain killers to kill heart? 

A recent study indicates that consuming common types of painkillers is connected to the fact of having a high risk of heart failure. Naproxen, diclofenac and ibuprofen are non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs which are used frequently to deal with inflammation and to subside pain.

The British Medical Journal study observed ten million people, who aged 77 when taken an average, who consumed the pain killers. Experts from the UK believe that the results had some significance for many of those who were under the age of 65, but would be a concern for those who were aged.

The study evaluated data for ten million consumers who resided in the UK, Italy, Germany and Netherlands and equated them with people who did not consume this form of drug. In Italy from the University of Milano-Bicocca, the researchers established that the consumption of NSAIDs could amplify the threat of being admitted to a hospital for the case of a heart failure by 19 per cent.

As majority of the participants in the test were older and those who were on NSAIDs were generally having a poor health the experts from UK believe that their results had a small amount of applicability for many of the those under 65 years, but is a matter of concern for the older patients.

'Use with caution'

The British Heart Foundation or BHF advised that patients should take a lower dose that they can of the NSAIDs for a shortest period of time. Medical officer at the BHF Prof Peter Weissberg said that the enormous study based on the act of recognizing and noting down facts underlines researches conducted previously which displayed that few NSAIDs which is a set of drugs usually taken by people suffering from pain in their joints, upturn the chances of developing heart failure.

It is commonly known by all now for some years that these kind of drugs need to be used carefully especially for those who are a great risk or even have heart related problems. This is relevant majorly to those who depend on painkillers frequently and have them on a daily basis instead of once in a blue moon.

Since joint and heart problems are co related, especially in the aged, the test stands as a cue to those who practice medicine to cautiously contemplate how NSAIDs are prescribed to patients by them and also to patients that they must consider taking an effective dose but in the least possible amount for a shorter period of time. Their treatment should be discussed with their GP to clear all matters of concern.

Younger patients

At the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, consultant pharmacist Helen Williams mentioned on BBC Radio 4’s Today program that the aim required to be on the group of people who were older with problems and conditions that would make them prone to an elevated risk of heart failure anyhow.

She said that it is in those patients who suffer from diabetes, abnormal blood pressure or even kidney problems, that when they add on these certain drugs there is a chance that there could be a slight increase in risks. From the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, professor of pharmaco epidemiology Stephen Evans declared that the effect is that it is of much less importance to many of those who are below 65 years of age and are yet popping painkillers, but for those who are above the age of 80 and are really very old, the consequences are of great importance.

Ms Williams advised that the younger group of people who consume short doses of ibuprofen for instance may not necessarily be concerned. On the other hand she did notify against the younger patients who take the drug on a regular basis. If these drugs are taken intermittently mostly like for instance people suffer from normal headaches or pain, injuries due to sport activities etc, then this matter might not be of so much concern for them.

But she also adds that she thinks she would say that if a person is a youngster who would probably buy this kind of drugs regularly and keep taking them effectively and all the time, then that person should be directed by their clinician as there are many other matters related to the drug that people would want to keep an eye out for. For instance, matters concerning their kidneys.

Ms William later also mentioned that it is necessary that it was for the appropriate reason that painkillers we buy from retail stores with no needed prescription or license. Ibuprofen are drugs which are anti-inflammatory and so if a person’s muscle has been injured it is expected to be inflamed and in that situation only ibuprofen can be administered as it is right. However, if someone has a headache it is not likely that they will be having an inflammation issue, and hence paracetamol is acceptable.