Doctors call for limited use of painkillers

Dubai: An increased risk of heart disease associated with prolonged use of popular painkillers, including paracetamol, has prompted cardiologists to stress limited use of drugs.

US researchers found that painkillers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol, the active ingredient in Panadol, can increase blood pressure among men by as much as 48 per cent, depending on type and frequency of consumption.

High blood pressure is one of the risk factors for developing heart disease.

Dr Najeeb Al Khaja, head of cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery at the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services, told Gulf News moderation was key in taking drugs. "Any medicine you take daily for four years will give you problems ... but this is an added risk."

Local treatment

Dr V.J. Sebastian, specialist cardiologist at Welcare Hospital, said: "I know patients who will pop a pill in case of any minor pain. So the message is to limit the consumption carefully." He suggested alternative methods to ease pain, like treating muscle pain by applying heat therapy, or cold compresses for headaches.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, followed 16,000 men over a four-year period.

It found that men who took paracetamol six or seven days a week were 34 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure than non-users. Men who took aspirin were 26 per cent more likely to have high blood pressure, while the risk is 38 per cent who took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that include ibuprofen.

Panadol is a popular painkiller in the UAE. Dr Al Khaja said the diversity of the drug may increase the risk of heart disease in mis-users. "It's easy to get ... [and can] treat everything, including sleeplessness and cold," he said, demonstrating the need to follow instructions carefully.