Recent research from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) claims that long-term paracetamol use might be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.
110 patients
In hypertensives, the paracetamol would increase the risk of cardiac disease or a stroke. The scientists behind the study – whose findings were published in the journal ‘Circulation’ – recommend healthcare professionals choose the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
For the study, 110 patients with a history ofhigh blood pressure received 1g of paracetamol 4 times/day, reports Yahoo News. Another received a placebo with the same frequency. The researchers noticed an increase in the blood pressure in subjects who took paracetamol.
> To read also: Pregnancy: stop paracetamol!
“This study clearly shows that…”
This increase in blood pressure increases by 20% the risk of triggering a cardiac disease or one stroke. The principal researcher, Dr. Iain MacIntyreconsultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian develops: “it is not a short-term use of paracetamol for headache or the feverwhich is, of course, very good, but it indicates risks for people who take it regularly over the long term, usually for chronic pain”.
However, with this study, the Scottish team did not really succeed in defining the precise mechanism. In any case, for the teacher James DearPersonal Director of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh: “This study clearly shows that paracetamol, the most widely used drug in the world, increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes”.
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