Paracetamol, often seen as a safer choice for pain relief, may not be as risk-free as once believed—especially for people with high blood pressure. A new study from the University of Edinburgh suggests that taking paracetamol regularly over a long period could raise blood pressure and potentially increase the risk of heart disease or stroke.
This finding is important because paracetamol is the most widely used painkiller around the world. Doctors often recommend it instead of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which are known to raise blood pressure and increase heart risks.
Until now, paracetamol was considered the safer option for those with high blood pressure or heart problems.
The study looked at 110 patients with a history of high blood pressure. Half of them were given a standard dose of paracetamol—one gram, four times a day—for two weeks. The other half received a placebo, a fake treatment with no active ingredients. None of the patients or doctors knew who received which treatment until the end of the study.
The results showed a clear difference. Those who took paracetamol had a noticeable rise in their blood pressure compared to those who took the placebo. The increase was similar to what is usually seen in people taking NSAIDs.
According to the researchers, this level of increased blood pressure could raise the risk of heart attack or stroke by about 20 percent if the medication is taken long term.
This is a serious concern for people who rely on paracetamol every day for chronic pain, such as arthritis or back pain. While short-term use is still considered safe for most people, the study suggests that long-term use may need to be re-evaluated—especially in patients who already have high blood pressure or are at risk for heart problems.
The lead researcher, Dr. Iain MacIntyre, said that the safest approach is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Patients who need ongoing pain relief should talk to their doctors about the risks and consider other treatment options if necessary.
This study doesn’t mean people should stop using paracetamol altogether. For short-term use, it is still one of the safest options available. However, for people who have high blood pressure or other heart-related conditions, regular long-term use of paracetamol may carry hidden risks.
Doctors may now need to think more carefully before prescribing paracetamol for chronic pain, especially to patients who already have heart or blood pressure concerns. It’s also a reminder for patients to check in with their healthcare providers about any long-term medications they’re using—even those considered mild or harmless.
The research was published in the journal Circulation and adds an important new perspective to how we view pain relief, particularly in people with existing health conditions. As researchers continue to explore the full effects of common medications, studies like this one help us better understand how to use them more safely.
If you care about arthritis, please read studies about extra virgin olive oil for arthritis, and pomegranate: A natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing medical cannabis may help reduce arthritis pain, back pain.
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