According to a recent study by the University of Vigo and associated institutions, taking high blood pressure medication at bedtime may be more effective than taking it in the morning.
High blood pressure, left untreated, can damage the heart and other vital organs. Hence, doctors usually prescribe medication to keep the condition under control and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The study included over 19,000 patients who were instructed to take their blood pressure medication either in the morning or at bedtime.
The participants were monitored for an average of six years, with their blood pressure being checked regularly over a 48-hour period.
The Outcomes
The results suggest that those who took their medication at bedtime had better blood pressure control and a lower risk of death or illness due to heart or blood vessel problems compared to morning-takers.
The bedtime group displayed a 45% lower risk of heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, or requiring a procedure to unblock narrowed arteries.
They also showed a 66% reduced risk of death from heart or blood vessel conditions, 44% lower risk of heart attacks, 40% lower risk of coronary revascularization, 42% lower risk of heart failure, and a 49% lower risk of stroke.
What It Means for High Blood Pressure Treatment
Despite current guidelines for hypertension treatment not specifying a preferred time for medication, physicians often recommend morning ingestion.
This study challenges that norm by suggesting that nighttime medication could be more effective in mitigating heart disease and stroke risks.
Patients with high blood pressure and their healthcare providers need to consider this study’s implications.
They might need to reassess the best time of day to take their medication. Of course, any such changes should be made under a doctor’s supervision.
A Holistic Approach to Managing High Blood Pressure
While medication plays a critical role in managing high blood pressure, lifestyle modifications can also be beneficial.
Eating a healthy diet, maintaining regular exercise, and reducing stress can contribute to controlling high blood pressure.
The key takeaway from this research is that following a doctor’s instructions, including the timing of medication, can help lower blood pressure and stave off serious health complications.
Further research is required to fully understand the mechanisms behind the improved outcomes observed in the study, but these initial findings offer a promising strategy for better hypertension management.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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