Posted on 02/07/2022 2:12:07 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Long-term paracetamol use could increase the risk of heart disease and strokes in people with high blood pressure, a study suggests.
Patients who have a long-term prescription for the painkiller, usually used for the treatment of chronic pain, should opt for the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time, researchers say.
Paracetamol was often suggested as a safer alternative to another class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are known to increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
In the latest study, 110 patients with a history of high blood pressure were prescribed one gram of paracetamol four times a day—a routinely prescribed dose in patients with chronic pain.
Those prescribed paracetamol saw a significant increase in their blood pressure, compared with those taking the placebo.
This rise was similar to that seen with NSAIDs, and might be expected to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20 percent, experts say.
Lead Investigator Dr. Iain MacIntyre, 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."
Principal Investigator Professor David Webb, Chair of Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, also said: "We would recommend that clinicians start with a low dose of paracetamol, and increase the dose in stages, going no higher than needed to control pain. Given the substantial rises in blood pressure seen in some of our patients, there may be a benefit for clinicians to keep a closer eye on blood pressure in people with high blood pressure who newly start paracetamol for chronic pain."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Just the way it is.
I question the extent to which higher blood pressure BY ITSELF induces heart problems. Many with high blood pressure ALSO eat tons of garbage and don’t exercise. Blood pressure caused by plaque and calcification of arteries is one thing. Blood pressure as a result of chronic pain (or a larger heart, or some other cause) MAY not have any effect on heart problems. But since higher blood pressure for some causes IS harmful, that gets lumped in statistically with higher blood pressure from other reasons.
Seems very simplistic to argue as some do that systolic blood pressure of 130, for example, is too high.
Excedrin did that to me so I stopped taking it.
“Many with high blood pressure ALSO eat tons of garbage and don’t exercise.”
Some people, like me, had extremely high blood pressure despite working out and jogging 5-6 days a week and eating a pretty damned strict Atkins diet, and still have a heart attack/cardiac arrest. What caused it? Genetics. My father died of a heart attack a year younger than I was when I had mine. Genetics are very under rated for health problems.
And they tell you not to take aspirin. *snort*
I agree. I’m a 4+ mile a day kind of jogger, avoid sugar and processed foods...and my systolic BP is about 135. Pulse is 55. Blood work looks good but who knows? I take after my Mom’s side of the family, although I’ve fought the fat far more effectively than they did. They were all short, very fat, very high blood pressure...but no heart attacks. Lived into their mid/late 80s. Anyone looking at their round bodies would assume they’d have died at 60...
To make it non-personal...I’ve talked to horse people about their horses’ longevity. What happens if they are ridden early versus late, or compete, etc. The consensus seems to be genetics and conformation have more to do with things than exercise and diet - although BAD exercise and diet can aggravate whatever poor genetics gave.
“The consensus seems to be genetics and conformation have more to do with things than exercise and diet - although BAD exercise and diet can aggravate whatever poor genetics gave.”
That makes perfect sense.
BKMK
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