Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used around the world to manage arthritic pain are dangerous for the heart, according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal.
The study was a collaborative effort by 14 European universities and hospitals. The study was a comprehensive analysis of research on the use of NSAIDS, both older and newer medications, in patients with heart disease.
"It's been well-known for a number of years that newer types of NSAIDs, increase the risk of heart attacks. For this reason, a number of these newer types of NSAIDs have been taken off the market again," said lead researcher Morten Schmidt, MD, PhD, of Aarhus University. "We can now see that some of the older NSAID types, particularly Diclofenac, are also associated with an increased risk of heart attack and apparently to the same extent as several of the types that were taken off the market." Dr. Schmidt went on to express worry over the frequency with which with these older medications are used, often without prescription, throughout the western world.
The study will result in new recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology in regards to the prescription of NSAIDs.
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