Professor Storey also highlighted the cumulative bleeding risks associated with long-term use of oral anticoagulants and the widespread use of NSAIDs, advocating for avoidance whenever possible.

Given the prevalence of NSAID use, raising awareness about the risks associated with their combination with anticoagulants is critical.

Specifically, the risk of bleeding is 2.24 times higher for the gut, 3.22 times higher for the brain, 1.36 times higher for the lungs, and 1.57 times higher for the urinary tract.

This comprehensive research, the largest of its kind, analyzed data from over 51,000 patients treated with anticoagulants in Denmark between 2012 and 2022.

Researchers found that the increased risk of bleeding was consistent across all these anticoagulants.

Anticoagulants are commonly prescribed for conditions like venous thromboembolism, which affects approximately 8.33% of the population, while NSAIDs are widely used for pain relief, accounting for 8% of global prescriptions.

If NSAIDs are deemed necessary, they should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.

A recent study has revealed that individuals on blood thinners face a doubled risk of dangerous internal bleeding when also using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

Dr. Robert Storey emphasized that avoiding NSAIDs while on blood thinners is the safest approach to mitigate bleeding risks.

Published on November 17, 2024, in the European Heart Journal, the study highlights significant increases in bleeding risks across various organs.

Conducted by a team from Aarhus University Hospital and funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the study examined various blood thinners including rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and warfarin.

Blood thinners are typically prescribed to prevent or treat strokes, heart attacks, or blood clots in various parts of the body, including the legs and lungs.