As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to common aches and pains, and we may want to reach for some relief in the medicine cabinet. But if you suffer from cardiovascular disease, using an over-the-counter painkiller that contains ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) may put your heart at risk. The use of ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and congestive heart failure. In 2006, the American Heart Association (AHA) reported in its journal Circulation, that in a study of 58,432 men and women discharged from the hospital between 1995 and 2002 after suffering a first heart attack, those who took NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, were more likely to die than participants who didnt take NSAIDs.
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