Pain Drugs Raise Heart Risk for Healthy

Some pain relievers may increase the risk of heart problems in healthy people, a large study finds. The study was done in Denmark. It included records on 1 million healthy people from a national database. Their average age was 39. The study focused on use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). One prescription NSAID was taken off the U.S. market in 2004. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) was withdrawn because users had an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The Danish study showed a higher risk of death from heart and blood vessel disease for people who used Vioxx. The risk was 66% higher than for people who took no NSAIDs. Death risk from these causes was 91% higher with diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam). Stroke risk rose 29% for people who took an over-the-counter drug, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others).