A new study in the British Journal of Medicine has resurrected the debate and concern over cardiovascular risk linked to the commonly utilized pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs.
The study involved a systematic review of studies involving more than 440,000 individuals ages 40-79. Approximately 61,000 had heart attacks.
What was of concern about the new study, was the association of increased risk of cardiovascular events in just the first week of taking an NSAID. Though cardiovascular risk and NSAIDs is nothing new in general, the new study does create concern when considering the short term duration of use.
The study found that in those individuals who used NSAIDs one to seven days, the risk of heart attack increased 24 percent for celecoxib (Celbrex), 48 percent for ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), 50 percent for diclofena (Voltaren), and 53 percent for naproxen (Aleve).
Doctors and patients have reason to be concerned with these numbers. Aside from the short duration in time regarding usage, some are dangerously close to the 58 percent cardiovascular risk associated with rofecoxib (Vioxx) which was taken off the market in 2004.
