<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>paracetamol Archives - Sweet Melodies FM</title> <atom:link href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/tag/paracetamol/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/tag/paracetamol/</link> <description>Keeping You Sanctified Morning, Noon and Night!</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:50:03 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-Sweet-Melodies-FM_text_favicon-32x32.png</url> <title>paracetamol Archives - Sweet Melodies FM</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/tag/paracetamol/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Long-term paracetamol use has been linked to an increase in blood pressure</title> <link>https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/long-term-paracetamol-use-has-been-linked-to-an-increase-in-blood-pressure/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:50:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[paracetamol]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/?p=73993</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>People with high blood pressure who take paracetamol on prescription could be increasing their risk of heart attacks and strokes, a study suggests. Doctors should think about the risks and benefits to patients taking it over many months, the University of Edinburgh researchers say. Taking the painkiller for headaches and fevers is safe, they stress. […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/long-term-paracetamol-use-has-been-linked-to-an-increase-in-blood-pressure/">Long-term paracetamol use has been linked to an increase in blood pressure</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><b class="ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3">People with high blood pressure who take paracetamol on prescription could be increasing their risk of heart attacks and strokes, a study suggests.</b></p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Doctors should think about the risks and benefits to patients taking it over many months, the University of Edinburgh researchers say.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Taking the painkiller for headaches and fevers is safe, they stress.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Other experts say research in more people over a longer timeframe is needed to confirm the findings.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Paracetamol is widely used around the world as a short-term remedy for aches and pains but also prescribed to manage chronic pain, despite little evidence of its benefit for long-term use.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Half a million people – one out of every 10 – in Scotland were prescribed the painkiller in 2018.</p> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">High blood pressure affects one out of every three people in the UK.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">The study tracked 110 volunteers, two-thirds of whom were taking drugs for high blood pressure, or hypertension.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">In a randomised trial, they were asked to take 1g of paracetamol four times a day for two weeks – a common dose for patients with chronic pain – and then dummy pills, or placebo, for another two weeks.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i89" data-component="image-block"> <figure class="ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23"> <div class="ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21"> <figure style="width: 976px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="ssrcss-1drmwog-Image ee0ct7c0" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg 800w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/68FC/production/_123167862_gettyimages-1360365883.jpg 976w" alt="Taking paracetamol tablets" width="976" height="549" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">IMAGE COPYRIGHT, GETTY IMAGES / AFP/</figcaption></figure> </div> </figure> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">The trial showed paracetamol increased blood pressure, “one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes” – much more than a placebo, Edinburgh clinical pharmacologist Prof James Dear said.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">The researchers advise doctors to start patients with chronic pain on as low a dose of paracetamol as possible and keep a close eye on those with high blood pressure and at risk of heart disease.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Arthritis is one of the biggest causes of chronic pain in the UK. One charity, Versus Arthritis, said safer medicines to treat pain were needed as well as other help, such as mental health support and encouragement to be physically active.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/high-blood-pressure-in-mid-30s-may-pose-risk-to-brain-health/">High blood pressure in mid-30s may pose risk to brain health</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/low-income-african-countries-pay-30-times-more-for-drugs/">Low-income African countries pay 30 times more for drugs</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="piano-inline2"></div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">“If you are concerned about the risks from pain medicines you should speak with a healthcare professional to explore your options.” said Dr Benjamin Ellis, consultant rheumatologist at Versus Arthritis.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Lead investigator Dr Iain MacIntyre, clinical pharmacology consultant, at NHS Lothian, said: “This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine.”</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-dm4ypg-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper e1xue1i88" data-component="subheadline-block"> <h2 id="Many-unknowns" class="ssrcss-1gsdda0-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10" tabindex="-1"><span role="text">‘Many unknowns’</span></h2> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Dr Dipender Gill, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics lecturer, at St George’s, University of London, said the study, published in the journal Circulation, had found “a small but meaningful increase in blood pressure in a white Scottish population” but “many unknowns remain”.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">“Firstly, it is not clear whether the observed increase in blood pressure would be sustained with longer term use of paracetamol,” he said.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">“Secondly, it is not known for certain whether any increase in blood pressure attributable to paracetamol use would lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.”</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">A large US study previously found a link between long-term paracetamol use and increased risk of heart attacks – but it could not prove one caused the other.</p> </div> </div> <div id="piano-inline3"></div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">And other smaller studies have been unable to confirm the link.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">The Edinburgh team said they could not explain how paracetamol would raise blood pressure but their findings should lead to a review of long-term paracetamol prescriptions.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">These were previously considered safer than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, which are thought to raise blood pressure in some people.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">The British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said doctors and patients should regularly rethink whether any medication, even something “relatively harmless like paracetamol”, was needed.</p> </div> </div> <div class="ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i85" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-17j9f6r-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Dr Richard Francis, from the Stroke Association, said further research in people with normal, healthy blood pressure, over a longer timeframe, was needed “to confirm the risks and benefits of using paracetamol more widely”.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com/long-term-paracetamol-use-has-been-linked-to-an-increase-in-blood-pressure/">Long-term paracetamol use has been linked to an increase in blood pressure</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.sweetmelodiesfm.com">Sweet Melodies FM</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss> <!-- WP Super Cache is installed but broken. 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