Patients admitted to hospitals for non-cardiac reasons might be receiving blood pressure medications that they don’t need.
According to a recent article led by Flinders University’s Professor Arduino Mangoni, these treatments might not only be redundant but could also pose short-term risks.
The significant difference lies in how blood pressure is measured in hospital settings versus community or primary care contexts.
Professor Mangoni, who is a part of Flinders’ College of Medicine and Public Health, points out that many factors within a hospital – such as pain, stress, noise, and disturbed sleep – could lead to elevated blood pressure readings.
These factors might not necessarily indicate a chronic or poorly controlled blood pressure issue from before the patient’s admission.
The Risks of Unwarranted Medication
High blood pressure, when identified and treated in the broader community, can help prevent numerous complications. However, when it comes to transient spikes in blood pressure within the confines of a hospital, the story may be different.
Recent studies, as the review highlights, suggest that treating such short-term, symptom-free rises in blood pressure might not bring any benefits.
Worse yet, it might lead to complications during the hospital stay and even after the patient is discharged.
The Need for Better Protocols
A significant challenge in understanding and managing blood pressure spikes in hospitalized patients is the absence of robust measurement protocols.
The current criteria used by emergency medical teams in hospitals may not be apt for these situations.
Professor Mangoni emphasizes that until better protocols are developed, not every blood pressure spike should translate to medical treatment, especially if there aren’t any accompanying symptoms or signs of organ damage.
Instead, Mangoni suggests that such instances should pave the way for post-discharge follow-ups concerning blood pressure and related cardiovascular risk factors.
Effective communication with primary care providers or general practitioners is crucial to ensure proper assessments and management post-hospitalization.
The research conducted by Professor Mangoni and his team underlines a crucial aspect of patient care in hospitals.
While medications play a vital role in managing chronic conditions, it’s essential to ensure that they’re being administered for the right reasons.
Hospitals and healthcare providers need to reconsider their approach towards treating in-hospital blood pressure spikes, putting patients’ safety and long-term health first.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about nutrient that could strongly lower high blood pressure, and results showing this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessels aging by 20 years.
The study was published in Australian Prescriber.
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