The Widespread Problem of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a big health issue in the United States. It’s when the blood in your veins presses against the walls too hard. In fact, half of all Americans have it, and some don’t even realize they do.
When you go to the doctor, you usually hear about your blood pressure as two numbers. The first, or top number, shows the pressure when your heart is pumping blood out.
That’s called systolic pressure. The second, or bottom number, is the pressure when your heart is in a rest mode between beats. That’s called diastolic pressure.
A Twist in Blood Pressure Treatment
Now, here comes the surprise: A recent study from Yeshiva University found that some medicines designed to lower blood pressure can actually make it go higher in some people.
Researchers think they’ve found a way to solve this puzzle with a simple blood test.
This blood test checks for an enzyme called renin. It’s getting more popular nowadays because it can help doctors figure out which medicine might work best for you.
The research team looked at 945 people who had high systolic blood pressure but had never taken medicine for it.
They were given one of four types of standard blood pressure medicines like diuretics, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, or ACE inhibitors.
The team checked everyone’s blood pressure and renin levels before and after giving them the medicine. They discovered that renin levels could be used to guess how a person might react to the medicine.
Getting Personal with Blood Pressure Treatment
Knowing your renin level can help doctors pick the right medicine that won’t cause your blood pressure to jump up unexpectedly.
In the study, about 8 out of 100 people experienced a rise in their blood pressure after taking the medicine. This was most common in folks who had low renin levels and were given beta blockers or ACE inhibitors.
The researchers believe that understanding someone’s renin levels can make blood pressure treatment more personalized and effective.
It’s especially helpful for people who are taking blood pressure medicine for the first time.
Even those who are already on multiple blood pressure medicines might benefit—they could possibly get the same results with fewer drugs.
The Takeaway
The study, led by Michael Alderman and his team, has been published in the American Journal of Hypertension. It opens up the door for doctors to make smarter choices in treating high blood pressure.
With a simple renin test, doctors can match the right medicine to each patient’s unique body chemistry.
That way, more people can manage their blood pressure safely and effectively, avoiding unexpected rises that could be harmful.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure and the best time to take high blood pressure drugs.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about new ways to reduce blood pressure effectively, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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