Ibuprofen: the popular painkiller increases the risk of 3 serious diseases.

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Ibuprofen is a daily pain reliever for a variety of pains, including back pain, period pain, and toothache. It belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although taking ibuprofen in small doses is safe, regimens with high doses can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, warns the Mayo Clinic (USA).

According to health authorities, the risk is not depends on heart disease, although the risk is higher in those with heart disease. The link has been endorsed by the public health authority, the National Institute for Health and Excellence (NICE).

“There is also substantial evidence to support an increased risk of cardiovascular events with many NSAIDs,” warns NICE.

It singles out “high-dose ibuprofen” as one of the main risk factors.

In light of the potential risks, “the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest time necessary to control symptoms,” advises NICE.

“A person's need for symptom relief and response to treatment should be reviewed periodically.”

What explains this association?

NSAIDs are dangerous to the cardiovascular system for two main reasons.

Harvard Health explains: “First, they change the levels of substances in the blood that make blood clots more likely to form.”

A blood clot can block a narrowed artery in the heart, causing a heart attack. Second, as Harvard Health explains, NSAIDs change blood flow in the kidneys, causing the body to retain more salt and water.

“This causes blood pressure to rise, which also increases the risk of stroke.”