Suddenly stopping NSAIDs may raise risk of heart attack

Tue., Jan. 18, 2005

Linda Searing The Washington Post

The question: People trying to cope with the long-term pain of conditions such as arthritis or tendinitis often take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Does stopping these drugs pose any risks?

This study: compared the medical histories of 8,688 people who had an initial heart attack with 33,923 similar people who did not have a heart attack. Those who had suddenly stopped taking an NSAID were about 50 percent more likely to have had a heart attack in the subsequent 30 days than were those who had not been taking NSAIDs. This increased risk disappeared after 60 days. The elevated risk was particularly high for people with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus and for long-term users of the drugs. In addition, NSAID users who continued taking the drugs showed no increase in heart attack risk.

Who may be affected by these findings? Anyone who regularly takes NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Caveats: The study did not clarify why stopping NSAIDs increased the risk of heart attack. The study was not randomized.

Bottom line: People who take NSAIDs regularly to reduce inflammation and relieve pain should consult a doctor before they stop taking the drug.

Find this study in the Dec. 13/27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine; abstract available online at www.archinternmed.com.

Learn more about NSAIDs at www.mayoclinic.com and www.medinfo.co.uk.

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