Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat pain, swelling and many other symptoms. All medications can have side effects, one of which includes raising the risk of heart disease. If you are concerned about your cholesterol level or your risk of a heart attack while taking an NSAID, speak with your physician, who can monitor your response and adjust the dosage if necessary.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the body makes and it is also found in foods. Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly; however, if your level gets too high you are at a greater risk of developing heart disease, notes the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Too much cholesterol in the blood can cause plaque to build up along the blood vessel walls, which may restrict blood flow to the heart and/or brain. Since high cholesterol levels can exist without causing any symptoms it is important to have your levels checked regularly. To protect against heart disease a general goal is to keep your total cholesterol level at less than 200 mg/dL.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs can be found in both over-the-counter formulations and prepared as prescription-strength medications. This class of drugs relieves pain, reduces inflammation, lowers fevers and prevents blood from clotting. NSAIDs block the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, or COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 protects the stomach lining from harsh acids and it maintains kidney function. COX-2 is released when your body senses an injury and inflammation. Most NSAIDs block the actions of both COX-1 and COX-2; however, they can also cause stomach upset and bleeding along with reducing pain and inflammation, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Some NSAIDs only block COX-2 so they do not cause as much stomach upset or bleeding, but they can cause abdominal pain and indigestion.
NSAIDs and Cholesterol
While NSAIDs do not appear to influence cholesterol levels they can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke in some patients. This is especially true of COX-2 inhibitors. Along with stomach upset and bleeding, NSAIDs can increase blood pressure, decrease the effectiveness of some heart medications and hinder the blood vessels' ability to relax. All of the above can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis which is a clogging, narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels, according to the Harvard Medical School. In patients who already have high cholesterol levels or known heart disease, NSAIDs may be particularly dangerous.
Solution
When deciding if NSAIDs are safe, it is important to speak to a health care provider who can review your medical history and any risk factors such as high cholesterol that you have. While drugs such as Vioxx and Bextra have been taken off the market, other prescription anti-inflammatory drugs are still available including Voltaren, Naprosyn and Celebrex. There are also over-the-counter NSAIDs containing ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen still on the market. The best bet is to talk to your doctor before using any medication and to not take any drug for longer than 10 days unless under medical supervision, says the Arthritis Foundation.
