A recent study conducted by Columbia University suggests that thiazide diuretics may be a more effective and safer choice for the initial treatment of high blood pressure compared to ACE inhibitors, which are currently the most commonly prescribed first-line therapy.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a widespread health concern that can increase the risk of serious conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.
To manage high blood pressure, healthcare providers often turn to a variety of medications, including ACE inhibitors and thiazide diuretics.
The research aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of different classes of medications used to treat high blood pressure. To do this, the team analyzed electronic health records and claims data from nearly 5 million patients who had initiated drug treatment for hypertension.
The study revealed some significant findings:
ACE Inhibitors vs. Thiazide Diuretics: ACE inhibitors were the first antihypertensive drugs prescribed to 48% of patients, while only 17% of patients received thiazide diuretics as their initial treatment. However, patients who started with thiazide diuretics experienced 15% fewer heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes compared to those who began with ACE inhibitors.
Side Effects: Patients who initiated treatment with ACE inhibitors had a higher incidence of 19 different side effects when compared to those who started with thiazide diuretics. In contrast, thiazide users reported fewer side effects.
Potential Impact: The researchers estimated that around 3,100 major heart disease events could have been prevented if patients who initially received ACE inhibitors had started their treatment with thiazide diuretics instead.
The study’s findings suggest that thiazide diuretics may be a more effective and safer choice for the initial treatment of high blood pressure compared to ACE inhibitors.
While ACE inhibitors are currently the most frequently prescribed first-line therapy, this research highlights the potential benefits of considering alternative options.
It’s important to note that high blood pressure management should always be tailored to an individual’s specific health profile, and healthcare providers play a crucial role in making treatment decisions.
If you have concerns about your blood pressure treatment or are experiencing side effects, discussing your options with your healthcare provider is a valuable step towards achieving better health outcomes.
If you care about stroke, please read research about Stronger high blood pressure treatment may help prevent stroke in older people and findings of Stroke death risk increases again after falling for 40 years.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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