Anti-inflammatories are in the news again following the publication of research linking the most popular type to an increased risk of early heart attack and stroke.

Diclofenac is taken for a range of problems including arthritis and sprains by millions of people in the UK.  Although the issue was raised in 2006, it was received by doctors with widespread apathy, but the new research looked at 51 studies and concluded that those on Diclofenac were 40 per cent more likely to have strokes or heart attacks than those who took nothing or a safer alternative.