Paracetamol Study Reveals Blood Pressure Risk for Regular Users
People who regularly take paracetamol, often called the "world's most used drug," could face an increased risk of fatal conditions like heart disease and stroke, according to a recent medical study. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the drug's safety for those with hypertension.
Research Overturns Safety Assumptions
Until recently, paracetamol was considered entirely safe for individuals with high blood pressure. However, research from 2022 has shown that its impact on blood pressure mirrors that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for chronic pain management but are known to elevate blood pressure and increase the likelihood of heart disease.
Medical professionals indicate that this rise in blood pressure could potentially increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by approximately 20%. Scientists are now urging that patients with long-term prescriptions for paracetamol, typically given for chronic pain relief, should receive the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
Expert Warnings and Recommendations
Professor James Dear, personal chair of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, stated: "This study clearly shows that paracetamol, the world's most used drug, increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes." He emphasised that doctors and patients should "together consider the risks versus the benefits", particularly for individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Professor Dear added: "In summary, we've shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure)."
Short-Term Use vs. Long-Term Risks
Lead investigator Dr Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, clarified that occasional users should not be alarmed. He said: "This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine - but it does indicate a newly discovered risk for people who take it regularly over the longer term, usually for chronic pain."
The research discovered that once participants stopped taking paracetamol, their blood pressure reverted to baseline levels, confirming the drug's role in elevating it. Researchers acknowledged they lack precise figures for UK residents on long-term paracetamol who also have high blood pressure, but estimates suggest one in three British adults with hypertension take it regularly.
Study Design and Broader Implications
The experts noted that the study was designed to detect even minimal blood pressure changes, making the substantially larger impact observed all the more striking. Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the research, said the findings "emphasise why doctors and patients should regularly review whether there is an ongoing need to take any medication" and "always weigh up the benefits and risks".
According to Blood Pressure UK, roughly one in three adults across the UK has high blood pressure, affecting 31% of men and 26% of women in England. This widespread prevalence underscores the importance of these findings for public health, as paracetamol is widely available without prescription and commonly used for self-medication.
The study highlights a critical need for increased awareness among both healthcare providers and patients regarding the potential cardiovascular risks associated with long-term paracetamol use, especially for those managing chronic pain conditions.
