Commonly used painkillers such as ibuprofen could increase users' risk of heart attacks, strokes and even death by 40 percent, according to one of the largest studies into painkillers.
Researchers at University of Oxford study said their findings showed prolonged use of such drugs including ibuprofen and diclofenac was "risky" but said patients needed to weigh up the benefits of drugs which allowed them to function against the potential dangers. According to the study published in the Lancet, patients who have high blood pressure or a history of heart disease, and regularly take the medicines to reduce pain and swelling from arthritis, are said to be most at risk. The group investigated more than 353,000 patient records from 639 separate clinical trials to assess the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
People with severe arthritis often take the drugs, which also calm inflammation, to go about daily life.
They looked at high-dose prescriptions levels, rather than over-the-counter pain relief, of 150mg diclofenac or 2,400mg ibuprofen each day.
The study found that for every 1,000 people taking the drugs there would be three additional heart attacks, four more cases of heart failure and one death as well cases of stomach bleeding - every year as a result of taking the drugs.
"Three per thousand per year sounds like it is quite a low risk, but the judgement has to be made by patients," said lead researcher Prof Colin Baigent.
He added: "So if you're a patient and you go and sit in front of your doctor and discuss it, you are the one who should be making the judgement about whether three per thousand per year is worth it to allow you, potentially, to go about your daily life."
The study also noted that the drugs posed even greater risks for smokers and the overweight. However, the researchers stressed that - across the whole population - they were generally safe to use.
