Vioxx has been in the news for awhile now for negative cardiac effects including heart attacks, and now new research may have pinpointed why. It all seems to come down to the pain killer's side effect of causing the body to produce extra amounts of a protein called "tissue factor" that has to do with blood clotting. Too much TF equals too much clotting, which equals heart attack and stroke problems.

Experts believe Vioxx isn't the only pain med to carry this risk, but all cox-2 inhibitors cause the increased production of tissue factor -- including Celebrex, which is still available. This study was not considered conclusive, but if you have questions or concerns about medications you're currently taking speak with your doctor.

According to Reuters Health news, Merck is facing an estimated 14,200 lawsuits from people who say they suffered heart attacks after taking the pain medication drug Vioxx.

Today, a federal jury awarded Gerald Barnett, a 62-year-old retired Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who had a heart attack after taking Vioxx for 31 months, $51 million dollars. In another defeat, New Jersey Judge Carol Higbee threw out a state jury verdict that had favored Merck over 60-year-old postal worker Frederick Humeston, who claimed Vioxx caused his heart attack. In light of new information, Judge Higbee has ordered a new trial.

Merck says it disagrees with the rulings and vows to appeal.

Before Vioxx was recalled two years ago, it was a widely-prescribed pain relief drug. Merck is also the makers of Gardasil, the new cervical cancer vaccine and Januvia, an experimental drug for diabetes treatment.

A recent study in the British Medical Journal warned that long-term, high dosage use of ibuprofen doubles the risk of a heart attack -- even in those with no prior history of heart disease.

The popular over-the-counter pain medication, ibuprofen, was found to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular disease when taken in the highest doctor recommended dosage of 800mg three times daily. There was not enough evidence in the study to determine if the standard dose of 200mg to 400mg three times daily for general pain relief would have the same cardiovascular effects. However, researchers claim short-term use is still safe.