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Painkillers equal hypertension in females

Source: American Heart Association
Common painkillers linked to high blood pressure in women

Our Summary

Alarming new research shows that women taking high doses of non-aspirin painkillers (such as Tylenol) are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure than women who don't.

The study involved 5,123 females participating in the Nurses Health Study at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. None of the women had high blood pressure before the study began. The research was reported in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. For a full summary see the Common painkillers linked to high blood pressure in women report on the American Heart Association website.

The women that took high daily doses of acetaminophen were twice as likely to have high blood pressure.  Acetaminophen is contained in common over the counter painkillers such as Tylenol.

Women that took Ibuprofen were at an even higher risk of developing high blood pressure.  Ibuprofen is contained in common pain relieving drugs such as Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.

The research found that aspirin remains the safest medicine for pain relief.  For more information on this important new study also check the Over-the-Counter Pain Pills Linked to Hypertension Risk for Women article on Medpage Today.

Please check with your Doctor or Pharmacist if you have any concerns about your pain relieving medication.

Steve's note: Before I found out I had hypertension I used to take Ibuprofen painkillers for my headaches ... headaches I later found out were 100% due to hypertension. Looks like that was a bit of vicious circle ... the Ibuprofen gave me some short term relief, but could have been making my hypertension worse and therefore making the headaches worse (... and then I would take more Ibuprofen).

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