• Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
Press "Enter" to search
Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
  • Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Body, Mind & Spirit
  4. Heart

Do Common Pain Relief Drugs Cause Heart Disease?

What is the connection between arthritis and heart disease? Is it true that taking NSAIDs for arthritis pain is responsible for increased risk? If so, what should I take?

Andrew Weil, M.D. | October 11, 2019

Do Common Pain Relief Drugs Cause Heart Disease? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
2 min

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. The most common type is osteoarthritis or “degenerative arthritis.” Often described as a “wear and tear” condition, it affects some 91 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and recent research suggests that the responsible factor is use of pain-relief drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) as well as prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The latest research, from Canada’s University of British Columbia, found that patients with osteoarthritis had a risk of congestive heart failure 42 percent higher than normal as well as a 17 percent increased risk for coronary heart disease and a 14 percent increased risk of stroke, compared to their non-arthritic peers. The investigators then surveyed information from Canadian databases to compare the health of 7,743 osteoarthritis patients with that of 23,229 healthy people of the same age, gender, socioeconomic status and body mass index. They also looked at such conditions as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, all of which are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results showed that people with osteoarthritis had a 23 percent higher than normal risk of developing cardiovascular disease. When the researchers calculated and cross-referenced the risk associated with taking NSAIDs, they determined that 41 percent of the association of osteoarthritis with cardiovascular disease was due to the use of these drugs. The increased risk of taking NSAIDs on congestive heart failure was determined to be 23 percent. It was much higher – 56 and 64 percent respectively – for ischemic heart disease and stroke. Because the study was observational, it did not prove cause and effect.

If you have osteoarthritis and have been relying on NSAIDs for pain relief, in view of these findings you may want to avoid them. Your physician may suggest alternatives. You can also try my recommendations for dealing with this common problem:

  • Lose weight if you are overweight; it can alleviate excess mechanical stress on the affected joint(s).
  • Avoid intense activities that injure or strain joints.
  • Exercise. Strengthening surrounding muscles will support and protect joints, and physical activity helps improve and maintain joint mobility and aids weight-reduction efforts. Swimming, stationary cycling and light weight training are best; they put the least stress on joints.

I also suggest the following dietary changes and supplements:

  • Eat salmon or other oily fish regularly.
  • Look to other dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts or freshly ground flaxseed in your daily routine, or take supplements of fish oil.
  • Regularly use ginger and turmeric and try supplements of turmeric (or curcumin).
  • Eat generous amounts of organically grown vegetables and fruit and vegetables daily.

Here’s where you can find my recommendations for nutrients, botanicals and other compounds that you can take for joint health and osteoarthritis treatments.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Source:

Aslam H. Anis et al, “Role of Non‐Steroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in the Association between Osteoarthritis and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Longitudinal Study,” Arthritis and Rheumatology, August 6, 2019. doi.org/10.1002/art.41027

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

Menopause And Knee Arthritis | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil M.D.
Bulletins

Menopause And Knee Arthritis

Massage For Knee Arthritis | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil M.D.
Bulletins

Massage For Knee Arthritis

inflammation heart disease
Heart

Is Inflammation Behind Heart Disease?

Body Shape & Heart Disease | Weekly Bulletins | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Body Shape & Heart Disease

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Anti-Inflammatory Diet Source

Want to promote overall health and help minimize the risk of inflammatory diseases? Join Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging, your online guide to the anti-inflammatory diet. Start your 14-day free trial now for access to shopping and eating guides, hundreds of recipes, an exclusive version of Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid and more!
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Healthy food in heart and cholesterol diet concept on vintage boards
Heart

A Natural Way to Lower Cholesterol?

blood pressure test
Heart

A Pill to Prevent Heart Disease?

a sweet new way to lower cholesterol
Heart

A Sweet New Way to Lower Cholesterol?

Defibrillator Electrodes, cardioverter.
Heart

Abnormal Heart Rhythm (Bradycardia)

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Dr. Weil's Signature

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

© Copyright 2025 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com