Heart attack or stroke might kill someone who is taking prescribed painkillers even if taken for a short duration, according to a study.

The risk of having another heart attack, stroke and even sudden death increased among people who took the drugs after surviving a heart attack for about seven days only. These results have taken researchers by surprise.

About 83,000 people who were taking a painkiller type called an NSAID, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory were assessed for the above conclusions by scientists in Denmark. All these people were recovering from heart attack.

Researchers had thought that it was safe when it came to using these drugs for a short term as earlier researches had stated that people with heart problems could take NSAIDs but not for long term. But these findings have stated that they were wrong.

Within just seven days of treatment, the risk of death and a recurrent heart attack increased by 45 per cent after taking an NSAID. When the drugs were taken for about 90 days, the risk went up to 55 per cent.

The study authors say, “The findings suggest that there is no apparent safe therapeutic window for NSAIDs in patients with prior heart attack.”