Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have found that taking paracetamol for a long time might increase the chances of heart disease or strokes, especially for people with high blood pressure.
This discovery challenges the common belief that paracetamol is a safer alternative to other painkillers.
Paracetamol is one of the most widely used medications in the world. It’s often recommended instead of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are another group of painkillers.
Previous studies have shown that NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart problems.
Because of these risks, doctors sometimes prescribe paracetamol to people who need long-term pain relief. However, this new study suggests that paracetamol might not be as harmless as many believe.
The study involved 110 people who already had high blood pressure. Each participant was given either one gram of paracetamol (a standard dose often prescribed for pain) four times a day or a placebo that looked the same but had no active ingredients.
This continued for two weeks. The researchers then compared blood pressure levels between the two groups.
They found that those taking paracetamol had a noticeable increase in blood pressure, similar to the effect seen with NSAIDs. This rise in blood pressure could lead to a roughly 20% higher risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke.
This finding highlights the need for caution when prescribing paracetamol to patients who are already at risk for heart problems.
People with high blood pressure or those at risk of heart disease or strokes should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of taking paracetamol over long periods.
Professor James Dear, a researcher involved in the study, emphasized how significant this discovery is. He pointed out that high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes, and this study shows that paracetamol can make it worse.
Since paracetamol is the most commonly used drug worldwide, this information is important for both doctors and patients.
The researchers suggest that anyone who needs paracetamol for chronic pain should take the lowest possible dose for the shortest amount of time.
Patients and their doctors should discuss other treatment options and consider how paracetamol might affect overall health, especially for those with existing health concerns like high blood pressure.
This study was led by Iain MacIntyre and his team and published in the journal Circulation. It calls for further research to explore these findings and guide safer use of paracetamol for people who rely on it for pain relief.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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