Paracetamol is one of the most common painkillers used around the world.
It’s often suggested as a safer option compared to a group of drugs called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which are known to raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart problems.
But new research is raising questions about how safe paracetamol really is—especially for people who already have high blood pressure.
A team of researchers from the University of Edinburgh studied this issue closely. They looked at 110 patients who had a history of high blood pressure.
Half of the group took a standard dose of paracetamol—one gram, four times a day—for two weeks. The other half took a placebo, which is a pill that looks the same but has no active ingredients.
At the end of the study, the people who took paracetamol had a clear rise in their blood pressure compared to those who took the placebo.
This increase was about the same as what’s usually seen with NSAIDs, which are known to affect heart health. Based on past research, this kind of blood pressure jump could raise the risk of heart disease or stroke by about 20 percent.
This is important news, especially since paracetamol is used so widely and has been seen as a safe option for people with high blood pressure.
Many doctors have recommended it over NSAIDs, thinking it has fewer side effects for the heart. But this study suggests that long-term use of paracetamol might not be as risk-free as once believed.
The researchers say people who use paracetamol regularly—especially those who have high blood pressure or are at risk for heart disease—should be careful. They recommend taking the smallest dose that works, and only for as long as needed.
Doctors may also need to think twice before giving long-term paracetamol prescriptions to people who already have heart-related health concerns. It’s important to weigh the benefits of pain relief against the possible risks to the heart.
This study shows how even everyday medications can have side effects we didn’t fully understand before. As more research is done, we’re learning that common drugs might not be equally safe for everyone. Just because something works well for most people doesn’t mean it’s right for someone with a specific health condition.
The study was led by Dr. Iain MacIntyre and published in the journal Circulation. It gives doctors and patients new information to consider when managing long-term pain, especially in people with high blood pressure.
If you take paracetamol often and have concerns about your heart or blood pressure, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Together, you can find a treatment plan that balances safety and pain relief.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
