Link Established Between NSAIDs and Cardiac Arrest!

A Danish study has found that the consumption of common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can increase the risk of cardiac arrest. The study is the first ever to specifically observe the impact of NSAIDs on cardiac arrest risk. Information from more than 28,000 Danish people who suffered cardiac arrest during the previous 10 years was included in the study. Researchers then observed each individual’s use of NSAIDs in the 30 days prior to them suffering a cardiac arrest. They identified NSAID use by observing whether the patients had redeemed a prescription for diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, rofecoxib, or celecoxib. Some 3,376 patients were treated with NSAIDs in the 30 days prior to their cardiac arrest. From these findings, the researchers deduced that ibuprofen and diclofenac were linked with 31% and 50% increases in cardiac arrest risk respectively. The other drugs that were observed in the study, namely naproxen, celecoxib, and rofecoxib, were not found to have a link to cardiac arrest, however researchers cited the fact that this may have been down to the drugs being prescribed much less frequently.

Study recommendation –

• Do not take more than 1,200mg of ibuprofen per day. The US Food and Drug Administration has also previously warned that consumers should always take the lowest NSAID dosage that works for them, and people with heart disease or high blood pressure should always speak with a doctor.