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This common pain reliever can raise the risk of having a heart attack up to 97%, according to experts

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Two plus two may not usually equal four in medicine. Drugs that can save our lives might potentially have serious health risks. That’s why many are prescription only. However, the most popular drugs are sometimes the ones that cause the most concern.

Ibuprofen is one of these drugs, which is found in almost every home and even in the wallets of millions of people throughout the world. According to William Grossman, director of the University of California, San Francisco’s Center for the Prevention of Heart and Vascular Diseases, this pain reliever may raise the risk of a heart attack.

This pain reliever belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class, which also includes pharmaceuticals like naproxen, sulindac, diclofenac, and others. Because of its inexpensive cost and widespread availability, it is frequently used without medical supervision and in amounts much above those indicated.

A study published in the British Medical Journal looked at over 440,000 people and showed that ibuprofen can increase the risk of heart attack by up to 97 percent.

All NSAIDs, including naproxen, were linked to an elevated risk of acute myocardial infarction, according to the findings. First-month NSAID use and higher doses were associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

“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. Outside of the cardiovascular system, its major risk is to the stomach, where it can cause ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding,” said Grossman, who was not involved in the study.

To be safe, all of these drugs come with an FDA black box warning: “Cardiovascular Risk: May increase risk of serious and potentially fatal cardiovascular thrombotic events, MI and stroke. Risk may increase with duration of use. Increased risk if existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors.”

According to the doctor, who was quoted by the portal of the University of California in San Francisco, those who have taken ibuprofen for a long time have a higher risk of a heart attack.

He also cautioned against taking this pain killer if you’ve recently had a heart attack unless you’ve been told otherwise by a doctor.

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, according to Grossman.

Image Credit: Getty

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