Ibuprofen: Effects on the Heart

Not all pain relievers are equally safe for people with heart disease. The Heart Foundation recently advised patients that it is best to use an alternative to ibuprofen for pain relief. Ibuprofen should only be taken on the advice of a doctor due to its side effects on the heart.

What is ibuprofen dangerous for?

Consultation question verbatim: "Since I suffer from chronic back problems, I have been taking ibuprofen 800 plus analgesic three times a day for many years to relieve pain. When I complained to my cardiologist about high blood pressure and high cholesterol, he recommended that I no longer take ibuprofen. This advice was given because I am genetically predisposed to heart attacks. Ibuprofen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. What medications can I use as an alternative to relieve pain?" (Judith G., Berlin)

Expert Dr. med. Vinzenz von Kageneck replies: "The alternative to ibuprofen for taking in relatively high doses as a pain reliever is naproxen.

Because, among the so-called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including ibuprofen, naproxen has undergone the full range of studies available to date and has the least adverse effect on the heart.

However, naproxen should also be used with caution. On the one hand, naproxen can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, although not as much as other members of this class, and on the other hand, the likelihood of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is higher than with ibuprofen.

Note: The risk of bleeding can be in many cases, so be sure to consult a doctor before taking pain relievers.

Источник: Deutsche Herzstiftung