Abstract:
Almost 40 out of 100 patients with osteoarthritis have concomitant hypertension. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)
inhibitors can cause increased blood pressure (BP), which is more prominent in patients with established arterial hypertension. NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors attenuate the antihypertensive effect of several antihypertensive agents. Frequent BP monitoring is necessary in hypertensive patients who simultaneously receive NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors because even small increases in BP may be associated with an important increase in the risk of serious cardiovascular complications. In meta-analyses, a 5-mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure was associated with a 25% higher risk of cardiovascular events.
