These common pain relievers can cause high blood pressure. Most don’t know, poll says
Most American adults do not know that some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can actually cause blood pressure to rise, a new survey by the American Heart Association found.
Almost half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but 71% of adults surveyed were unaware of the risks of these common medications, the survey found.
The survey was conducted for four days in June, among 2,013 American adults.
High blood pressure is defined as a consistent blood pressure of 130 over 80 or higher, the heart association said.
Several common pain and anti-inflammatory medications that you can find at drugstores can cause users to retain water, which then creates kidney problems, and in turn can increase blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. The kidney plays an important role in regulating blood pressure.
These drugs include aspirin, naproxen sodium (often under the name of Aleve) and ibuprofen products such as Advil and Motrin IB. These fall under the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The other main type of OTC pain reliever, acetaminophen (Tylenol), is the one recommended — in moderation — for those with kidney issues, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
The American Heart Association recommends talking to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure any medications you are taking are safe, particularly if you have high blood pressure or have a family history of it.
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