'For people to use the pills for back pain or a headache for a day or two, as far as I know there is not a risk.'

A study, published in the British Medical Journal, claims that medicines such as Ibuprofen, which can be bought in chemists to treat minor pains and headaches, are among those seen as the possible dangers.

But Professor Robert Moots, Professor of Rheumatology at University Hospital Aintree said: "It seems scary because these are the most widely prescribed drugs and things like Ibuprofen can be bought over the counter, but these drugs can be lifelines."

'Really High Doses Every Day for a Long Time'

Professor Moots said the four year study, which examined thousands of people using common painkillers was not "perfectly designed."

He said: "For people to use the pills for back pain or a headache for a day or two, as far as I know there is not a risk.

"You would have to take really high doses of these drugs every day for a long time for there to be an increased risk of a heart attack.

"If you take drugs for long-term pain relief, perhaps as an arthritis sufferer, then the risk is tiny, but anyone who is concerned should speak to their GP."