This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Painkillers linked to heart failure risk in elderly, study suggests
A study published in the British Medical Journal has found that taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen and diclofenac may carry an increased risk of heart failure for over-65s.
The research involved examining data on 10 million people from the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, aged 77 on average who consumed the painkillers.
While the findings showed there was little relevance for most under-65s, it suggested there was a possible concern for elderly patients, where taking NSAIDs increased the risk of being admitted to hospital with heart failure by 19 per cent.
In an interview with the BBC, Helen Williams, consultant pharmacist for cardiovascular disease at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, explained: "Hypertension, diabetes, maybe kidney problems - it's in those patients when we add these drugs on top that there might be a small increase in their risk.
"If you take a very occasional course - it's like most people will do for aches and pains, sports injuries etcetera - then there's no need to worry."
She added: "I think I would say if you're a young person who is regularly going to buy these drugs, and effectively taking them all the time, you probably should be supervised by a clinician because there are other issues with these drugs and we might want to keep an eye, for example, on your kidneys."
Prof Peter Weissberg, medical director at the BHF, said: "This large observational study reinforces previous research showing that some NSAIDs, a group of drugs commonly taken by patients with joint problems, increase the risk of developing heart failure.
"It has been known for some years now that such drugs need to be used with caution in patients with, or at high risk of, heart disease.
"This applies mostly to those who take them on a daily basis rather than only occasionally.
"Since heart and joint problems often coexist, particularly in the elderly, this study serves as a reminder to doctors to consider carefully how they prescribe NSAIDs, and to patients that they should only take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
"They should discuss their treatment with their GP if they have any concerns."
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
