Circulation. 2008;117:e322-e324
doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.749135
(Circulation. 2008;117:e322-e324.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.
Can Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Take Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs?
Kathryn A. Taubert, PhD
From the Department of Science and Medicine, American Heart Association, Dallas, Tex.
Correspondence to Kathryn A. Taubert, PhD, American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231. E-mail ktaubert{at}heart.org
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Introduction
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More than 80 million people in the United States have some form
of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—for example, coronary
heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, or heart failure—and
millions of others are at increased risk for these diseases.
Over half of these people are also affected by arthritis and
other disorders of the musculoskeletal system—the muscles,
bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and bursa. The pain associated
with these chronic conditions is often treated with a class
of medications known as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs). However, it has been shown that taking some NSAIDs
can increase a person’s risk of having a heart attack
or stroke. This risk is likely greatest in patients who have
a prior history of CVD or who are at high risk for CVD. The
information here will help you to understand what NSAIDs are
and whether it is safe to take them.
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What Are NSAIDs?
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NSAIDs can reduce fever, pain, and inflammation (swelling and
redness). Some are available over the counter (OTC), whereas
others require a prescription. The best known NSAID is aspirin.
Other common NSAIDs are ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen
(all 3 are available both OTC and in prescription strengths).
NSAIDs available only by prescription are celecoxib, diclofenac,
indomethacin, and sulindac (see
Table 1 for a longer list and
brand names).
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How Do NSAIDs Work?
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NSAIDs work by inhibiting a substance in the body called cyclooxygenase
(COX) from doing its work. Two major classes of cyclooxygenase
are found in your body, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is produced constantly
in most tissues of the body, whereas COX-2 production is stimulated
by inflammation (swelling and redness as might occur in association
with an infection or arthritis) of a part of the body. Many
NSAIDs are called "nonselective" because they inhibit COX-1
and COX-2; others more specifically inhibit COX-2. Nonselective
COX inhibitors, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, give pain relief
for inflammatory conditions but have a risk of eroding the stomach
lining and causing ulcers and/or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Newer selective COX-2 inhibitors, which were developed to minimize
irritation to the stomach but still fight pain and inflammation,
became available by prescription in the late 1990s.
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What Are the Drawbacks of NSAIDs?
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Overall, NSAIDs help to relieve pain and inflammation and reduce
fever by inhibiting the production of COX in the body. They
can have unwanted side effects, however, some of which can be
serious for patients with heart disease or who are at risk for
heart disease.
In 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that COX-2 selective agents might be associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, especially when they are used for long periods of time or in very high-risk settings (such as immediately after heart surgery). At that time, 3 COX-2 selective agents were on the market, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra.
In 2005, the FDA asked the makers of both prescription and OTC NSAIDs (except aspirin) to make labeling changes to their products by adding more information about the potential cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects associated with their use.
Serious possible side effects from NSAIDs use are:
- heart attack
- stroke
- high blood pressure
- heart failure from body swelling (fluid retention)
- kidney problems including kidney failure
- bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestine
- low red blood cells (anemia)
- life-threatening skin reactions
- life-threatening allergic reactions
- liver problems including liver failure
- asthma attacks in people who have asthma
Other possible side effects can include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
If you need to take an NSAID on a long-term basis, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration that is consistent with treatment goals should be used (Table 2).
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Does Aspirin Have All of These Side Effects?
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Aspirin does not increase the chance of a heart attack. In fact,
aspirin can lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Both of these conditions are triggered by the formation of a
blood clot that blocks blood flow to a part of the heart or
brain; regular aspirin use can lessen the chances of that blood
clot forming. Regular aspirin use is often recommended to people
at high risk for a heart attack or stroke because aspirin can
reduce the ability of the blood to clot.
Aspirin can cause possible side effects in a small number of patients, however. It can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines, as well as ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
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Are There Non-NSAIDs Pain Relievers Available OTC?
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OTC pain relievers are divided into 2 main categories, NSAIDs
and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is available as the brand Tylenol
and in generic form. Acetaminophen reduces pain and fever but
does not have an antiinflammatory effect. It also does not upset
the gastrointestinal tract.
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Can People With CVD Take an NSAID?
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If you have cardiovascular disease, you should discuss taking
OTC NSAIDs with your doctor. Taking medications such as acetaminophen
or other pain medications may be more appropriate for you. If
your physician determines that you do need an NSAID, it is important
to take it exactly as prescribed, at the lowest dose possible
for your treatment, and for the shortest time needed. The American
Heart Association recommends a "stepped care" approach to medication
therapy for people with CVD who have musculoskeletal aches and
pains. A person would be started on medications that have the
lowest reported risk for cardiovascular events, and then, if
needed, move step by step to other medications, with consideration
of the risks versus the benefits at each step. For example,
- Start with OTC medications acetaminophen or aspirin, the prescription medication tramadol, or short-term painkillers containing a narcotic. If necessary, go to
- Aspirin-like drugs (nonacetylated salicylates). If necessary, go to
- Non-COX-2 selective NSAIDs. If necessary, go to
- NSAIDs with some COX-2 activity. If necessary, go to
- COX-2 selective NSAIDs.
Some traditional NSAIDs may interfere with the regular aspirin that CVD patients are asked to take to help decrease their risk of a heart attack or stroke. In 2007, the FDA issued an advisory that alerted individuals who take low-dose aspirin and who also take ibuprofen that they should take the ibuprofen at least 30 minutes after aspirin ingestion or at least 8 hours before aspirin ingestion to avoid any potential interaction. This is another important topic to discuss with your healthcare provider (Table 3).
Additional Resources
- The American Heart Association Web site has information on prevention and treatment cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors at http://www.americanheart.org.
- The FDA has a medication guide for NSAIDS at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ COX2/NSAIDmedguide.htm.
- The American College of Rheumatology has information about NSAIDs for patients at http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/ nsaids.asp?aud=pat.
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Acknowledgments
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Disclosures
None.
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Footnotes
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The information contained in this
Circulation Cardiology Patient
Page is not a substitute for medical advice, and the American
Heart Association recommends consultation with your doctor or
healthcare professional.
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Introduction
What Are NSAIDs?