Blood pressure warning over long-term paracetamol use
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.
Other experts say research in more people over a longer timeframe is needed to confirm the findings.
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.
Half a million people - one out of every 10 - in Scotland were prescribed the painkiller in 2018.
High blood pressure affects one out o...