Some common drugs may increase your blood pressure

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Did you know that high blood pressure is a common health issue that can lead to serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney troubles?

Many people around the world have high blood pressure, but the good news is, it can be managed. This means eating healthy, staying active, and taking the right medicines as your doctor suggests.

Unexpected Effects of Some Medicines

Scientists at Harvard did a study and found something surprising. They discovered that some people with high blood pressure were taking other medicines that could actually make their blood pressure rise.

These were medicines for things like depression, inflammation, hormonal issues, blocked noses, and losing weight.

Around 18.5% of adults with high blood pressure were found to be taking such medicines. This was a concern because these medicines made it harder for them to control their high blood pressure.

Some of these people didn’t have the right medicine to lower their blood pressure, or they needed stronger doses of their existing medicine.

This study tells us something important: always talk to your doctor about all the medicines you’re taking. This is especially crucial if you see more than one doctor.

They need to know about all your medications to help manage your high blood pressure effectively while also treating your other health conditions.

Lifestyle Matters Too

Medicines are not the only answer for managing high blood pressure. What you do every day matters a lot. Eating food that’s low in salt and full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is helpful. Regular exercise and stress-reducing activities like meditation and yoga also play a big role.

Which Medicines Can Raise Blood Pressure?

Certain types of medicines can increase blood pressure. These include:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen and naproxen)
  • Some antidepressants
  • Steroids (like prednisone)
  • Hormonal medicines (like birth control pills)
  • Decongestants for clearing noses
  • Weight loss pills

Remember, not all medicines in these groups will raise your blood pressure, and different people react differently. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re worried about how your medicines might affect your blood pressure.

Learn More About High Blood Pressure

If you’re interested in learning more about high blood pressure, there’s plenty of information out there. You can find studies on the best times to take high blood pressure drugs, new treatments, and even how things like beetroot juice or certain plant nutrients might help.

It’s also worth knowing about studies linking cannabis to blood pressure reduction in older people and how certain nutrients can reduce high blood pressure.

The study I’ve been talking about was published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal by Dr. Timothy Anderson and his team. They did an important job highlighting how some common medicines might impact people with high blood pressure, making it a key read for anyone interested in this area.

If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about potatoes and high blood pressure, and top 10 choices for a blood pressure-friendly diet

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