A new study from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston involving 5,123 female study participants revealed interesting results -- a connection between taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and developing high blood pressure. The study found:

• Women between 34-77 years old who took an average daily dose of more than 500 milligrams of acetaminophen had double the risk of developing high blood pressure within three years.
• Women between 51-77 years old who took more than 400 mg a day of NSAIDs had a 78 percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure over women who didn't take the drugs.
• Aspirin did not raise blood pressure.

If you are taking these drugs make sure you are having your blood pressure checked. Researchers are not suggesting that you stop taking the non-aspirin painkillers.

Related Resources:

• More About NSAIDs
• The Facts of NSAIDs
• More About Tylenol (acetaminophen)