Many people around the world deal with high blood pressure, which is a serious health issue because it can lead to dangerous conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and problems with the kidneys and eyes.
To manage high blood pressure, it’s often necessary to exercise, eat well, and take medications prescribed by a doctor.
However, a study from Harvard University has brought new insights into managing high blood pressure that might not be widely known.
The study found that some people with high blood pressure might also be taking other medications for different health issues, which could actually make their blood pressure worse.
This discovery came from analyzing data from a large survey known as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers found that around 18.5% of adults with high blood pressure were also taking medications that could increase their blood pressure.
These medications include antidepressants, certain pain relievers called NSAIDs, steroids, hormones, decongestants for a stuffy nose, and weight-loss pills.
The study highlighted that individuals using these medications often had a harder time controlling their high blood pressure. This was particularly true for those not taking any blood pressure-lowering medications.
Even more, those who were taking blood pressure medications often needed higher doses if they were also taking these other types of medications.
This finding stresses the importance of people with high blood pressure discussing all their medications with their doctors. This is especially crucial for those seeing more than one doctor, as each doctor may not be aware of all the medications a patient is taking.
Understanding how different medications interact can help doctors and patients work together more effectively to manage high blood pressure and reduce the risk of related health issues.
Lifestyle also plays a significant role in controlling high blood pressure. Eating a diet low in salt and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, exercising regularly, and reducing stress through activities like meditation and yoga can all contribute to managing high blood pressure.
By combining healthy lifestyle choices with the right medical treatments, individuals can greatly lower their risk of health problems associated with high blood pressure and improve their overall well-being.
So, what types of drugs can potentially raise blood pressure?
They include common pain relievers known as NSAIDs (like ibuprofen and naproxen), some antidepressants, steroids, hormonal medicines (such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy), decongestants for stuffy noses, and certain weight-loss pills.
It’s important to remember that not all medications in these categories will affect everyone’s blood pressure the same way, and the impact can vary.
If you’re concerned about how your medications might affect your blood pressure, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
The research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine by Dr. Timothy Anderson and his team, opens our eyes to how different medications can influence the management of high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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