High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) occurs when blood pressure, the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls, is consistently too high.
This new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that people who received acetaminophen had elevated blood pressure compared to others.
What defines high blood pressure?
A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. It usually has no symptoms. It can also damage arteries and cause an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness. Also called hypertension.
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What is paracetamol?
Paracetamol is widely used to achieve low to moderate pain relief.
Also known as acetaminophen, it is also used to lower the high temperatures associated with the common cold and flu.
Although it is widely used, many times even without a prescription, health experts have always warned against its excessive consumption. High doses of acetaminophen are also toxic to the liver.
Now the current discovery has found a link between the drug and hypertension. This, however, requires immediate attention and a check on the senseless self-prescribing of this drug.
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What did the study find?
The study found that of the 172 participants, 73 percent of whom were men, those who had acetaminophen over the course of 2-3 weeks had higher blood pressure than the placebo group. This increase also observed in systolic blood pressure, while no significant change was observed in diastolic blood pressure.
Several studies have also warned against using this drug for those with cardiovascular risk factors
The study also warned that patients with pre-existing hypertension conditions or those with cardiovascular risk factors should be cautious while consuming the drug.
People with cardiovascular risk have always depended on acetaminophen as a safer alternative to aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
What are the various risk factors with cardiovascular disease?
Several factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease are:
- Having diabetes
- Have high BP
- Regular smoking
- Having high cholesterol
- Overweight or obese
- Having a history of cardiovascular disease among close family members
- Not getting enough sleep
- Living under tremendous stress
- Lack of physical activity
