People with high blood pressure who take prescription paracetamol may increase their risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to a study. Doctors need to think about the risks and benefits to patients taking it for many months, say University of Edinburgh researchers.
However, they emphasize that taking sedatives for headaches and fever is safe.
Other experts say more research is needed over a longer period of time to confirm the findings.
Paracetamol is widely used worldwide as a short-term pain medication, but also prescribed in prescription to manage chronic pain, despite the scant evidence of its benefit for long-term use.
The study tracked 110 volunteers, two-thirds of whom were taking medication for high blood pressure or hypertension. In a randomized trial, they were asked to take 1 g of paracetamol four times a day for two weeks and then the dummy pill, or placebo, for another two weeks.
"Evidence has shown that paracetamol raises blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, far more than a placebo," said Edinburgh Clinical Pharmacologist Prof James Dear.
Researchers advise doctors to start with patients with chronic pain with the lowest possible dose of paracetamol and to take care of those with high blood pressure and at risk of heart disease.
Lead investigator Dr Iain MacIntyre, clinical pharmacological consultant, at NHS Lothian, said:
"This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, ok."
However, there are still many unknowns about the study.
Source: BBC
