A study from the University of Bologna has revealed a concerning trend regarding the use of beta-blockers, a common medication for hypertension (high blood pressure), in women.
The study found that women with no previous heart disease history who take beta-blockers have an almost 5% higher risk of heart failure compared to men when hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome.
Beta-blockers are widely used to control high blood pressure, a major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
The research focused on how these medications affect men and women differently, particularly in cases of hypertension without a prior history of CVD, after experiencing acute coronary syndromes.
The study analyzed data from 13,764 adults across 12 European countries. These individuals had hypertension but no previous cardiovascular disease. They were grouped based on gender and whether they were taking beta-blockers.
Key findings include:
- Women on beta-blockers had a 4.6% higher rate of heart failure than men when admitted to the hospital with acute coronary syndrome.
- The death rate for both men and women with heart failure was about seven times higher than for patients with an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) without heart failure complications.
- Women who experienced ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack where a coronary artery is completely blocked, were 6.1% more likely to have heart failure compared to men with STEMI.
- Men and women not on beta-blockers had similar rates of heart failure.
The researchers suggest that for women with hypertension and no history of heart disease, managing blood pressure through diet and exercise is crucial.
They also speculated that the increased risk of heart failure in women might be linked to an interaction between hormone replacement therapy and beta-blockers, although this aspect was not directly analyzed in the study.
The findings underscore the importance of considering gender differences in medical treatments and the need for personalized approaches in managing conditions like hypertension.
For those interested in heart health, these results highlight the importance of monitoring and potentially adjusting treatment strategies for women with hypertension who are at risk of developing heart failure.
Published in the journal Hypertension, this study led by Raffaele Bugiardini and his team adds a crucial piece of information to our understanding of heart health, particularly in the context of gender-specific responses to common hypertension medications.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural 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 vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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