Personal Injury Blog

Common Painkillers Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke

December 1st, 2011
increased risk of stroke

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may lead to causes of stroke

Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have been monitoring the health effects of over-the-counter painkillers on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  A study out of Australia finds that seniors who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may experience an increased risk of stroke.

The study focused on more than 160,000 Australian veterans.  Researchers at the University of South Australia focused on data of veterans who had been hospitalized with stroke between 2001 and 2008.  They found that veterans who used over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had a 1.88 times increased risk of having a stroke.  In these cases, the veterans had been prescribed the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to deal with joint pain.  Joint pain, osteoarthritis are common complaints as individuals age.

The study found that the overall risk of stroke in the group was just about 7.1 strokes per 1000 people.  However, when the veterans began taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the risk of suffering a stroke jumped by 1.88 times.  With the use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the risks of a stroke increased to 13.4 strokes per 1000 people.

The researchers say that the increase in the stroke risk in a person who is taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may seem small, but the risks are great when you consider the large numbers of citizens who use these over-the-counter painkillers in order to deal with joint pain.

The researchers are quoting from statistics that show that about one third of the senior population in Australia will suffer from cardiovascular disease, and 20% will suffer from both arthritis and cardiovascular disease.  This means a substantial number of people will suffer from conditions that place them at a high risk of stroke, and require them to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  In these people, the risk of a stroke will increase substantially.

The researchers recommend that doctors who prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for older patients take into consideration the patient’s history.  In particular, doctors should look for the presence of any other medical conditions that increase the risk of a stroke, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes or hypertension.  Older citizens, who smoke, may also be at a high risk of suffering a stroke, and these persons should have their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, regulated judiciously.  In all cases, doctors must carefully weigh the benefits of use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the risks of suffering a stroke, before prescribing these drugs.

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