This is the conclusion researchers have reached following a study that analyzed data from approximately 450,000 people.
Ibuprofen and other common analgesics may increase the risk of heart attack after just one week of continuous administration.
People who take high doses of this type of medicine have the greatest risk, and the latter increases after just seven days of uninterrupted analgesia.
Researchers’ data show that the risk of infarction increased by up to 50% for those taking analgesics versus those who did not use such pills.
Ibuprofen, taken in a high dose, is the most dangerous. This is because the recommended dose of specialists for this medicine is up to four 400 mg pills a day.
The quoted study shows that for individuals who took ibuprofen daily for one week, the risk of heart attack increased by up to 48%, diclofenac capsules at a two percent higher risk. However, specialists draw attention to ibuprofen, as it is the most used analgesic in recent years.
The data also show that if a person continues the “regime” with ibuprofen for one month, the risk of heart attack may reach 75%.
Researchers believe that these drugs could cause contracting the arteries, leading to increased fluid retention and increased blood pressure. There are also theories according to which analgesics would influence platelets and thus promote blood clot formation.
Study authors caution that all drugs have adverse effects when taken in excess and without a well-defined reason. People often resort to analgesics even at the slightest pain and not just when drug intervention is really needed.