The popular painkiller that may raise heart attack risk – ‘May happen without warning’

What's the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

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The medication associated with this higher risk is ibuprofen. Readily available in a majority of pharmacies and supermarkets, ibuprofen is used for treating various pains and aches. An expert explains how this little tablet can trigger such a severe health problem.

Available as tablets, capsules, granules or liquid, ibuprofen is available over-the-counter in many forms.

From back pain to toothache, the painkiller is widely used for targeting various problems.

Ibuprofen belongs to a type of drug called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also includes naproxen, sulindac, diclofenac and more.

These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke, according to Medline Plus.

The health portal warns that this “may happen without warning and may cause death”.

This claim is further supported by a study published in the British Medical Journal that looked at more than 440,000 participants, finding that ibuprofen can boost your risk by as much as 97 percent.

Dr William Grossman, Director of the Center for Prevention of Heart and Vascular Disease at UCSF, explained the mechanisms behind this risk.

Dr Grossman said: “Ibuprofen, such as Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen, can cause marked worsening of existing hypertension (high blood pressure) or development of new high blood pressure.

“It can also cause damage to the kidneys (nephrotoxicity), worsening of heart failure, and even heart attack or stroke.”

One of the points raised by the doctor is a known risk factor for heart attacks and strokes – high blood pressure.

High blood pressure details the long-term force of blood against your artery walls that is high enough to cause severe health problems, the Mayo Clinic explains.

This force can cause damage to your arteries by making them less elastic.

This consequently decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart.

High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or anything higher.

Medline Plus shares that this heart attack risk might be especially significant for those who have been taking ibuprofen for a long time.

They advise against taking the painkiller if you have recently experienced a heart attack unless you’ve been told to do so by a medical professional.

The health portal shared: “Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke; if you smoke; and if you have or have ever had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.”

The Harvard Medical School adds: “The safety profile of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is generally quite good, especially when taken in small doses for short periods of time.”

The NHS advises not to take ibuprofen for more than 10 days unless you’ve spoken to your doctor.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

According to the NHS, the warning signs of the medical emergency include:

  • Chest pain
  • Pain in other parts of the body (arms, jaw, neck, back and tummy)
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Overwhelming feeling of anxiety
  • Coughing or wheezing.

The chest pain can feel like pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the area. This can even radiate to other parts of the body.

If you experience these symptoms, call 999 “immediately”, the health service advises.

They add that the faster you act, the better your chances will be.

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