Health - Wellness
It Can Be Dangerous To Take Ibuprofen After Experiencing This Medical Event
By BETH BRADFORD
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that treats pain. However, If you've had a heart attack, you should avoid taking ibuprofen altogether.
If you weren't taking ibuprofen before your heart attack, you probably shouldn't start, according to a 2023 article in the European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Pharmacology.
The study found that those who started using NSAIDs after cardiac arrest had a higher risk of another heart attack, hospitalization for heart failure, or death.
Per a 2020 Journal of the American College of Cardiology article, taking ibuprofen after suffering a heart attack triples the risk of bleeding compared to not using the NSAID.
For individuals requiring pain management post-heart attack, celecoxib (Celebrex) and meloxicam are safer options. Tylenol is also considered safe in small doses.