Yes, regular, long-term use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) can increase blood pressure, especially in people with existing hypertension, a finding that challenges its traditional view as a safer alternative to NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) for heart patients, raising concerns about cardiovascular risk, though occasional use for short-term pain is less concerning. Studies show significant, albeit modest, increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with daily dosing, prompting calls for doctors and patients to review its ongoing necessity, say health charities and the British Heart Foundation.
As mentioned, short term use of common painkillers like paracetamol, every now and then, is usually of no concern even for those with high blood pressure. Only with longer term use may problems begin to emerge, and a clinician should be consulted in this context for best treatment options.
Side effects of paracetamol
flushing, low blood pressure and a fast heartbeat – this can sometimes happen when paracetamol is given in hospital into a vein in your arm. blood disorders, such as thrombocytopenia (low number of platelet cells) and leukopenia (low number of white blood cells)
People with high blood pressure are advised not to take them. One alternative is paracetamol, but it's possible that paracetamol also increases blood pressure.
Taking any medicine can sometimes lead to side effects, but side effects with paracetamol are rare. Rare side effects of paracetamol may include hypersensitivity reactions, like rashes and itching, and lower than normal levels of red or white blood cells or platelets. People react differently to medicines.
The less you sleep, the higher your blood pressure may go. People who sleep six hours or less may have steeper increases in blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, not sleeping well may make your blood pressure worse.
These include:
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg is Stage 2 hypertension, which needs medical attention and lifestyle changes, but usually not an immediate hospital trip unless you have severe symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, or signs of stroke, in which case you should call for emergency help (like 911/000) immediately. For a single reading, it's best to recheck after relaxing and then contact your doctor for advice and follow-up, as persistent readings above 140/90 warrant a check-up to prevent long-term damage.
Take it first in the morning before eating or taking any medicine. Take it again in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are the same.
People with supine-only high blood pressure had a 53% higher risk of coronary heart disease, 51% higher risk of heart failure, 62% higher risk for stroke, 78% higher risk of fatal coronary heart disease, and 34% higher risk of death from all causes compared to participants with normal blood pressure in both positions.
Other pain relievers may be less dangerous. Aspirin is also an NSAID, but experts think that it's safer for people with hypertension. Acetaminophen is a different type of painkiller that doesn't raise blood pressure as a side effect.
Morphine
Opioids are stronger painkillers than paracetamol and may be given when paracetamol alone hasn't provided satisfactory pain relief. These include dihydrocodeine, tramadol and co-codamol. Like most medicines, opioids can have some unwanted effects.
Sleeping on the left side may improve circulation, which could help in preventing hypertension. In addition, this position can increase the flow of blood and nutrients to your baby through the placenta.
Common causes of high blood pressure spikes
These spikes, which typically last only a short period of time, are also known as sudden high blood pressure. These are some possible causes: Caffeine. Certain medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or combinations of medications.
Most of the time, it's better to get two hours of sleep over none. Even short naps can boost your alertness and mood. You may feel groggy after the two hours, so give yourself enough time to fully wake up before you need to be “on.”
The most powerful pain relievers are opioids, sometimes called narcotics. They include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or morphine. Opioids are sometimes used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Your doctor may also be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller, such as higher dose co-codamol or codeine. Naproxen does not work for some types of pain, such as nerve pain. Your doctor will have to prescribe a different medicine if your pain is related to your nerves.
In the UK, Naproxen is a prescription‑only medicine (except for specific formulations for period pain). You can request it online from registered online doctors and pharmacy services, such as Simple Online Pharmacy, after completing an online medical assessment.
For those who have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring blood pressure down to safer levels. Some examples of aerobic exercise that can help lower blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and dancing. Another helpful type of exercise is high-intensity interval training.
Over-the-counter options for blood pressure management
Skip the Pills: Natural Pain Relief Methods That Actually Work
Physician- or health professional-related
One common error in the clinical setting is failure to include a five-minute rest period. Errors can also include talking during the measurement procedure, using an incorrect cuff size and failure to take multiple measurements.
The drop in both your systolic (the top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure can be up to 20% lower than your readings in the day time. People who don't have lower blood pressure while they sleep have been shown to be at higher risk of heart disease and stroke.