Pain-relieving drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used by millions of people every day, are thought to cause the risk of heart rhythm disturbances. This disorder called atrial fibrillation (or arrhythmia) usually increases with age or with certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. But researchers at the University of Rotterdam (the Netherlands) found that regular consumption of painkillers also increased joint fibrillation.
However, one of the main complications related to atrial fibrillation is that it can cause a cerebrovascular accident (stroke). People with atrial fibrillation are three to five times more likely to have a stroke than others.
An increased risk at the start of treatment
For their study, the Dutch researchers have been monitoring the heart health of 8,423 people aged 55 or older (and an average age of 68) since 1990. Pharmacists were called upon to provide details of the drugs prescribed. During the entire follow-up period, 857 people suffered from atrial fibrillation. Of these, 554 had taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs frequently and 42 were taking them when the arrhythmia episode started. Taking into account the age and health problems of the different patients, the researchers concluded that the current use of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was associated with a 76% increased risk of suffering from heart rhythm disturbances. But this risk is higher at the start of treatment and disappears over time.
According to researchers, NSAIDs work by blocking the COX-2 enzyme which reduces pain and inflammation. However, this enzyme also has an important function in the regulation of the heart rate. What worries them is that NSAIDs are dispensed without a prescription and that everyone is unknowingly at risk of having a stroke.
