BUPA - Painkillers may increase cardiovascular disease risk

BUPA
29 September 2011

Commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) painkillers may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a large review of the research published in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal.

The researchers looked at total of 11 NSAIDs – see key facts for a full list. They found that four NSAIDs in current use significantly increased CVD risk, for example heart attack and stroke. These included: naproxen, found to increase the relative risk of CVD by 9%; ibuprofen, increased CVD relative risk by 18%; celecoxib, increased CVD relative risk by 17%; and diclofenac, increased CVD relative risk by 40%. The relative risk is the difference in risk between groups of people in a study. This is different to a person’s lifetime risk of developing CVD (absolute risk).

Rofecoxib was also found to increase the CVD relative risk by 45%. However, this medicine has already been withdrawn from use amid safety fears.

Previous studies have mostly focused on the risks associated with taking high-dose NSAIDs. This study looked at both high- and low-dose use and found that celecoxib and diclofenac raised CVD risk at low doses and this risk increased with higher doses. The risks associated with ibuprofen were only found at a high dose.

Dr Peter Mace, Assistant Medical Director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing UK, said: “The reported risks in this study seem on the face of it to be large, implying that the risk of taking these medicines is great. But this is a relative risk, and if your overall risk of developing CVD is low, then there is a very small increase in risk associated with taking these pills, and in all probability the benefits will outweigh the disadvantages. The risks reported here are essentially excess risks to the risk you already have of developing CVD, and in reality are probably very small.

http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/health-news-index/3092011-painkillers-may-increase-cardiovascular-disease-risk

My pain specialist and I learned about 10 years ago that I can't handle any of the NSAIDs or COX II meds. They all cause me to have inner cellular fluid retention and that in turn causes the lymph system to not flush properly and the nerves get impinged and PAIN PAIN PAIN. I can take one and I will be fine but after a few days I am in a world of hurt. It makes keeping my pain levels low because I have to use the big guns. The same happens if I use White Willow which is where Aspirin originally came from. There is no denying my body chemistry is really weird, but it is what it is, not by choice. This is why I have searched for other and often more natural means of pain relief, because doctors just hate to prescribe the meds that really do help me. And I never abuse my meds, if anything I take them gingerly. On the same note, I can't let myself get in a pain cycle either, whether it is migraine or structural problems. Life is so much fun sometimes.

That's interesting - what natural things do you use / do for pain control?