The high level of salt content in medicine, especially painkillers, increases the risk of heart diseases and strokes by 22 percent, a new study reports.
In today's world, the most common, effective and instant solution to pain comes from popping in a painkiller without thinking twice about the adverse effects this activity may have on your health later. Researchers have now found that the high salt content in painkillers and medicines like paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen increases the risk of heart disease or stroke by approximately 22 percent, reports BBC News.
Findings of the study revealed that people who frequently take soluble versions of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen are 22 percent more likely to suffer from a stroke and seven times more prone to high blood pressure. Researchers also found that such people are 28 percent more likely to die prematurely.
"We know that high salt causes hypertension and that hypertension leads to stroke," lead researcher Dr Jacob George, from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee said, according to the report.
Researchers from University College London and the University of Dundee also found that even recommended doses of painkillers contain 50 percent more salt than the recommended daily limit of sodium intake. Hence, the researches warn people to avoid consuming soluble painkillers regularly. They also urged drugs firms to print labels similar to those on food packaging on the tablets, most of which are sold over the counter, warning patients about high levels of salt.
According to recommended guidelines, a person should eat no more than six grams of salt daily. However, the average man eats a minimum of eight gram of sodium daily. If you calculate these statistics, following the recommended guidelines could prevent more than 30,000 heart attacks and strokes every year.
Most of this salt consumption comes from eating ready meals, which serve about seven grams of salt per serving. Ready-made sandwiches contain four to five grams of salt.
"We were surprised at how much salt there was in some tablets. All the foods we buy we can find out in intricate detail how much sodium (salt) there is but we can't do that with medicines," Professor Thomas Macdonald, of the University of Dundee said, according to Daily Mail. "It's an avoidable risk and it's a cardiovascular risk which is the commonest cause of death in Britain. If you take these drugs every day it would be better for your health to take the normal versions, not the soluble ones."
Heart diseases are the biggest cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 180,000 lives per year.
"We know that too much salt is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke," Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said. "It's important to remember that this research applies to people who are taking these medicines every day - this does not mean that occasional use could damage your heart health."
