By David Liu, PHD

Sunday Oct 07, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after first-time myocardial infarction (MI)(heart attack) may increase risk of cardiovascular disease/events/death, according to a study in Circulation.

Schjerning Olsen AM of Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte in Hellerup, Denmark and colleagues conducted the study and found patients were 60 percent more likely to die after the first year of first-time myocardial infarction if they were taking NSAIDs after their first time heart attack, compared with those who did not take the OTC medications.

For the study, researchers identified patients aged 30 years or older who were admitted for treatment of their first time myocardial infarction in 1997 to 2009 and their subsequent NSAID use through nationwide registries of hospitalization and pharmacies in Denmark.

Of 99,187 patients who participated in the study, 43,608 or 44% were prescribed NSAIDs after their first time myocardial infarction.  During the 5-year study period,  36,747 deaths and 28,693 coronary deaths or nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction were identified.

Compared to non-current treatment with NSAIDs, use of any NSAID in the years following myocardial infarction was consistently associated with an 59 percent increased risk of death after one year and 63 percent increased risk after 5 years, and 30 percent increased risk for coronary death or 41 percent increased risk for nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction.

The researchers concluded "The use of NSAIDs is associated with persistently increased coronary risk regardless of time elapsed after first-time MI. We advise long-term caution in using NSAIDs for patients after MI."