Those who regularly take paracetamol could be at an increased risk of certain deadly diseases, medical experts have warned.<\/p>\n
It was previously believed that the painkillers were entirely safe for people with high blood pressure to take.<\/p>\n
However, a 2022 study discovered the effect on blood pressure were similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, which were typically used to manage chronic pain but known to elevate blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Martin Lewis says ‘legal bribe’ can help secure free \u00a3200 before Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n The rise in blood pressure could potentially increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by approximately 20 per cent, medical experts have said.<\/p>\n Researchers recommend patients with long-term prescriptions for paracetamol should receive the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.<\/p>\n “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,” said Professor James Dear, personal chair of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n “In summary, we’ve shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure).”<\/p>\n Lead researcher Dr Iain MacIntyre, a consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS<\/a> Lothian, added: “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.”<\/p>\n