A recent medical study has revealed that regular use of paracetamol may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Previously, paracetamol was deemed safe for patients with high blood pressure. However, new findings suggest its effects on blood pressure are comparable to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, which are known to elevate blood pressure and heart disease risk.

Researchers indicate that the rise in blood pressure associated with paracetamol could heighten the risk of heart disease or stroke by approximately 20%. They recommend that patients on long-term prescriptions for this painkiller, typically used for chronic pain management, should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.

Professor James Dear, a 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 urged both doctors and patients to consider the risks versus benefits, especially for those at risk of cardiovascular disease. He summarised, "We've shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension."

Lead researcher Dr Iain MacIntyre, a consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, reassured occasional paracetamol users, saying, "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 study found that participants' blood pressure returned to baseline levels after they ceased taking the medication, confirming that paracetamol had elevated it. While exact figures are not available, it is estimated that around one in three British adults with elevated blood pressure regularly use paracetamol.

Experts noted that the study was designed to detect minimal blood pressure changes, making the significant impact observed particularly surprising. Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which supported the research, emphasised the importance of regularly reviewing the necessity of any medication, stating, "Doctors and patients should always weigh up the benefits and risks."

According to Blood Pressure UK, approximately one in three adults in the UK suffers from hypertension, with 31% of men and 26% of women in England affected.