For the past 17 years, researchers at Columbia University have been looking into how well two popular blood pressure medications work.
They studied over 730,000 people who were being treated for high blood pressure to learn more about these drugs, known as chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide.
Both medications do a good job of stopping heart attacks, keeping people out of the hospital for heart problems, and preventing strokes. But there’s a twist: chlorthalidone might not be as safe as we thought.
People taking chlorthalidone were almost three times more likely to have very low levels of potassium in their blood. They also had a higher chance of running into problems with their body’s electrolytes and kidneys compared to those taking hydrochlorothiazide.
These issues are serious because they can cause heart rhythm problems, confusion, kidney failure, and even diabetes.
In the study, about 6.3% of folks on chlorthalidone had low potassium levels, while only 1.9% of those on hydrochlorothiazide did. Even when chlorthalidone was given in smaller doses, the problem with low potassium (called hypokalemia) didn’t go away.
Because of these findings, experts are rethinking whether chlorthalidone should be the go-to choice. Doctors who prescribe it need to keep an eye out for these side effects. This isn’t the first time chlorthalidone’s potential issues have been noted, which backs up what some earlier studies found.
Dealing With High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a big deal because it can lead to heart problems, strokes, and kidney issues. Luckily, there are many ways to handle it:
- Medication: There’s a variety of drugs that can help, including the two we talked about. Doctors pick the best one based on what each person needs.
- Lifestyle Changes: Losing weight, eating better (less salt, more fruits and veggies), exercising, cutting back on alcohol, and quitting smoking can all make a big difference.
- Stress Less: Since stress can make high blood pressure worse, finding ways to relax, like through meditation or yoga, is helpful.
- Doctor Visits: Regular check-ins with your doctor help keep your blood pressure in check and let you tweak your treatment as needed.
- Home Monitoring: Keeping an eye on your blood pressure at home can give you and your doctor important info.
It’s crucial for anyone with high blood pressure to work closely with their healthcare provider to come up with a plan that’s right for them. By sticking to this plan and making some changes in life, the risks linked to high blood pressure can be greatly lowered.
The findings from George Hripcsak and his team, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, remind us of the importance of being careful about the medication choice for high blood pressure and highlight why continued research is key.
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 How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
