The researchers say doctors need to pay more attention to the medications people take.
- Nearly one in five adults with high blood pressure take medications that may worsen blood pressure levels.
- Researchers say doctors need to pay more attention to the medications people take.
- Even simple lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can help significantly improve people's blood pressure levels.
Nearly one in five adults with high blood pressure take medications — such as steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antipsychotics, or birth control pills — that may worsen their blood pressure levels.
According to new findings presented at the American College of Cardiology's 70th annual scientific meeting, doctors need to pay more attention to the medications people take and how they affect blood pr essure.
"These are the medications we usually take — both over-the-counter and prescription — that can have unexpected side effects of raising blood pressure and can adversely affect our heart health, Center in Boston, lead author of the study, said in a statement.
The sooner doctors identify people at risk for high blood pressure, the more likely people are to make lifestyle changes to help control high blood pressure.
Half of the adults take medications that raise blood pressure
27,599 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey between 2009 and 2018 had their health data evaluated for this study.
Fourteen percent of
study participants had high blood pressure.
The drugs that the
researchers were looking at were known to be associated with high blood
pressure, and these included antipsychotics, steroids, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, and birth control pills.
Approximately 19% of
individuals use one or more medications to raise their blood pressure, and 4%
use many medications linked to high blood pressure.
The results also imply
that there is a 4.8% increase in blood pressure when one of these medications
is stopped.
How certain medications affect blood pressure
Many types of medications can raise blood pressure.
"There is a clear correlation between NSAIDs, steroids, oral contraceptives, and antipsychotics with elevated blood pressure. This is because they cause patients to retain small amounts of fluid, which leads to an increase in blood pressure," said Dr. Joyce Ouen Shaw, director of clinical cardiology at Yale School of Medicine and clinical assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine. Drugs.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen can increase Dr. Guy Mintz, director of cardiovascular health and lipid science at Northwell Health, explains that blood pressure is lowered by affecting blood flow to the kidneys.
Mintz added that antidepressants can alter chemicals in the brain, which can lead to high blood pressure.
Steroids can also increase blood pressure levels. "Steroids cause salt and water retention, which increases blood pressure," Mintz said.
How high blood pressure affects health
Mintz says about 45 percent of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, defined as blood pressure measurements equal to or greater than 130/80 mmHg.
Only 25% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure controlled.
High blood pressure, if left untreated, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
"High blood pressure causes stroke, kidney failure, and heart failure and is a cause of nearly 500,000 deaths each year in the United States," Oen-Hsiao said.
The sooner doctors identify people at risk for high blood pressure, the more likely people are to control high blood pressure through lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.
"To lower blood pressure, one simple thing patients can do is exercise. Walking or cycling for 30 minutes a day will help lower blood pressure levels," says Oen-Hsiao.
Going forward, physicians must be aware of these potential effects and educate their patients about them.
"Providers who prescribe antidepressants, birth control pills (through estrogen action), and antipsychotics should be aware of the patient's comorbidities and choose the drugs that have the least impact on blood pressure," Mintz said.
Conclusion
Approximately 50% of
individuals with hypertension who are taking medications, including birth
control pills, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or
antipsychotics, may experience an increase in blood pressure.
The researchers
concluded that more attention should be paid by physicians to the medications
people take and how those prescriptions impact blood pressure.
Simple lifestyle
adjustments like food and exercise can make a big difference in a person's
blood pressure readings.