Acetaminophen (Tylenol) has long been advertised as a safer alternative to aspirin for people with cardiovascular disease who need pain relief. But a study has shown it may not be all that safe.
The research team set out to test the effect of acetaminophen on blood pressure among people with coronary artery disease. When the participants took acetaminophen, average systolic blood pressure increased from 122.4 to 125.3, and average diastolic pressure increased from 73.2 to 75.4.
According to Harvard Health Publications:
“These increases aren't large. But they indicate that acetaminophen, like NSAIDs, somehow affects the cardiovascular system.”