Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may account for higher rates of heart disease and stroke in those with osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis has been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and a new study suggests that a large part of the risk comes from the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or NSAIDs. Such drugs include ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), as well as a variety of prescription NSAIDs.
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The lead author, Aslam H. Anis, a professor of health economics at the University of British Columbia, said that there are alternative medicines that can be used for the pain of osteoarthritis. “Have a conversation with your physician” about risks and benefits, he said. “Sometimes the treatment is worse than the disease.”
Click here to read the story in The New York Times.
