Health News
Painkillers and Heart Failure
May 23, 2006
According to researchers common painkillers such as ibuprofen increase the risk of heart problems in older people.
They found that 14 per cent of patients admitted to hospital for heart failure for the first time were taking painkillers, compared with 10 per cent of healthy people.
Researchers warn that although this is a relatively small rise, it could have a big impact because many people suffer heart failure and arthritis, for which painkillers are often routinely prescribed. Heart failure mainly affects older people, who suffer from breathlessness caused by the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively around the body.