Painkillers 'pose tiny risk'
There is a warning that people who take high doses of ibuprofen and diclofenac - another anti-inflammatory drug - for long periods, are increasing their risk of having a heart attack, stroke or dying from cardiovascular disease.
But the study by Oxford University stresses that the risk is still low - with only three more people in every thousand being affected.
Professor Colin Baigent, of the Epidemiological Studies Unit at Oxford University and leader of the study, told the Today programme's James Naughtie that "we are not talking about low doses that you buy in a chemist over a counter."
"We are talking about very high doses... prescribed for acute pain," he added.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 30 May 2013.
30 May 2013
- From the section Health