Heart failure patients' awareness and perceptions of the risk of using NSAIDs: a pilot study

The use of an NSAID by individuals with heart failure increases the likelihood of exacerbating the problem. Patients with heart failure were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire to determine their perceptions of the risks involved with the use of an NSAID. Of the 28 patients interviewed, 2 had been advised to avoid a particular medicine, but could not remember which medicine. The use of an analgesic that could exacerbate their heart failure was regarded as high risk (score >5 on a scale of 1-10) by 22 (79%) of the patients. In this small sample, most patients with heart failure were not aware of the risks of using NSAIDs. However, based on their responses, most patients would avoid the use of NSAIDs once educated about the adverse effects that these drugs might have on their heart failure.