Researchers reveal routine paracetamol use may sharply raise the risk of heart disease and stroke

Paracetamol, the painkiller trusted by millions across Britain, is now under scrutiny after a study revealed its potential to raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. For years, paracetamol was widely considered the safest option for patients with high blood pressure. However, research has shown that prolonged use could be as dangerous as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, drugs already known to heighten cardiovascular risks.

Scientists say the impact could be severe. They estimate the increase in blood pressure from long-term paracetamol use may raise the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20%. The findings have unsettled doctors and patients alike, with health experts urging caution. Those prescribed the medication for chronic pain are now being advised to use the lowest possible dose for the shortest period necessary.

Professor James Dear, personal chair of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, described the results starkly: “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 the benefits” carefully, particularly in individuals already at risk of cardiovascular disease.

The research revealed that the change in blood pressure occurs rapidly. Within just two weeks of regular use, participants with hypertension saw their readings rise. When they stopped taking paracetamol, their blood pressure dropped back to baseline levels, making it clear that the drug was the trigger.

Lead researcher Dr Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, stressed that occasional users need not panic. “This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine,” he explained. “But it does indicate a newly discovered risk for people who take it regularly over the longer term, usually for chronic pain.”

The study, designed to pick up even minor shifts in blood pressure, found results that were far more dramatic than expected. Experts were surprised at how significant the rise was. Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said: “The results emphasise why doctors and patients should regularly review whether there is an ongoing need to take any medication and always weigh up the benefits and risks.”

The revelations are particularly concerning given how widespread both paracetamol use and high blood pressure are in the UK. Scientists estimate that roughly one in three adults with hypertension take paracetamol regularly. Blood Pressure UK reports that 31% of men and 26% of women in England suffer from high blood pressure—a silent condition already responsible for thousands of deaths each year.

Paracetamol has long been viewed as the “safe” alternative for those who cannot take ibuprofen or aspirin because of the associated cardiovascular dangers. The assumption that it posed no risk now appears dangerously outdated. This research challenges decades of medical practice and forces a rethink on how to manage chronic pain in vulnerable patients.

The advice for the general public remains clear: those who take paracetamol occasionally for common ailments such as fever, colds, or short-term pain should not worry. But for the significant portion of the population relying on daily or long-term prescriptions, the findings cannot be ignored. Doctors may begin reviewing prescriptions more frequently, with a stronger emphasis on alternative pain management strategies and careful monitoring of blood pressure.

The study’s conclusion is sobering. A drug found in nearly every household, one often handed out without a second thought, may silently raise blood pressure to dangerous levels when used regularly. For patients already battling hypertension, the implications could be life-threatening. The research sends a stark reminder that even the most trusted medicines can carry hidden risks—and that vigilance is essential in protecting public health.