Painkillers linked to stroke and heart attack

REGULARLY taking common painkillers and headache tablets can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack from higher blood pressure, a new report has warned.

A study of men who took paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen (the ingredient in Nurofen) six or seven days per week over the course of two years, found they were a third more likely to have high blood pressure.

Those who took 15 pills a week, regardless of what type, are 50 more likely than others to be diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension — which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.