Painkillers Linked to High Blood PressureTylenol and ibuprofen drugs may boost hypertension in women< October 29, 2002 > New research suggests that young and middle-aged women who take painkillers such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Advil may be setting themselves up for significantly higher blood pressure even if they do not already suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). "Lots of people believe that these medications are completely safe because they're available over the counter," says study co-author Dr. Gary C. Curhan, an epidemiologist at Harvard School of Public Health. "But we know that (they) can have multiple other effects. This would be one more thing that people should consider if they use these medications on a regular basis." There are three main types of over-the-counter painkillers—aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)—which include ibuprofen-based medications such as Advil and Motrin. Researchers have linked NSAIDs to high blood pressure, but previous studies only looked at people who already suffered from the condition, Curhan says. In the new study, Curhan and his colleagues examined an ongoing study of nurses who have been followed since 1989. The researchers found 80,020 women, aged 31 to 50, who had no history of hypertension and studied their answers to a 1995 survey about their use of painkillers. The findings appear in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. About half of the women took aspirin at least one day a month, and between 72 and 77 percent took NSAIDs or acetaminophen. When various risk factors were taken into account, those who took acetaminophen at least 22 days month had twice the risk of developing hypertension compared with those who took no drugs from that class. Those who took NSAIDs had an 86 percent higher risk. "I consider that pretty substantial," Curhan says. Meanwhile, those who took aspirin were at no higher risk. NSAIDs and acetaminophen may interfere with the ability of blood vessels to remain dilated, Curhan explains: "If the blood vessels constrict, then the blood pressure can go up." Some experts liken blood vessels to a garden hose. If you squeeze the hose, the pressure inside will build. There is another potential problem, Curhan adds. "It can cause the body to retain sodium, and that can raise blood pressure." Curhan said the study results still need to be confirmed by further research, which may shed light on how long it takes for painkiller use to affect blood pressure. "Nobody's done a study like this before," he says. For now, women who take the painkillers should consider all of the risks, Curhan says. "My hope is that they're not taking them for (the wrong) reasons. Lots of people take these for a variety of reasons, many of which don't have anything to do with what they're designed to do." Moderate use of painkillers should still be all right, says Dr. Eric Eichhorn, medical director of the Cardiopulmonary Research Science and Technology Institute in Dallas. "When used appropriately, they serve a very important function. My guess is that it's a continuum. If you take painkillers for a day or two, that's probably fine. But if you take them all the time every day of the month, your chances of hypertension increase." Eichhorn adds the design of the study does not account for other factors that could affect blood pressure in the women. "It's guilt by association," he says. "There are a whole lot of other factors that could be responsible." Always consult your physician for more information. Online Resources(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) Cardiopulmonary Research Science and Technology Institute Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) |
For more information on high blood pressure, please visit the Cardiovascular Diseases information module on this Web site. Guidelines to Control High Blood Pressure UpdatedA healthy amount of exercise and a proper diet are still the best ways to ward off high blood pressure, according to new federal guidelines published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). New recommendations from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute include consuming more than 3,500 mg of potassium each day. The guidelines also newly suggest a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, and limited in saturated and total fat. Earlier recommendations that are repeated include limiting consumption of salt and alcohol, reducing body weight, and getting enough exercise. The guidelines cite recent research in casting doubt on some widely publicized methods that purport to reduce blood pressure, including fish oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) and calcium supplements. The recommendations say these methods were proven to reduce blood pressure only slightly. Hypertension—beginning at 140/90—affects 50 million Americans including one of every two adults over age 60, the NHLBI says. Always consult your physician for more information. What is Blood Pressure?Blood pressure, measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope by a nurse or other healthcare provider, is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries, resulting in the highest blood pressure as the heart contracts. Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure. The higher number, or systolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the body. The lower number, or diastolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest and is filling with blood. Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are recorded as "mm Hg" (millimeters of mercury). This recording represents how high the mercury column is raised by the pressure of the blood. High blood pressure, or hypertension, directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (heart attack) and stroke (brain attack). With high blood pressure, the arteries may have an increased resistance against the flow of blood, causing the heart to pump harder to circulate the blood. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure for adults is defined as 140 mm Hg or greater systolic pressure and/or 90 mm Hg or greater diastolic pressure. These numbers should be used as a guide only. A single elevated blood pressure measurement is not necessarily an indication of a problem. Your physician will want to see multiple blood pressure measurements over several days or weeks before making a diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure) and initiating treatment. A person who normally runs a lower-than-usual blood pressure may be considered hypertensive with lower blood pressure measurements than 140/90. Always consult your physician for more information. |
