Diverticulosis is a condition that affects the digestive system, creating small bulges or pouches in the lining of the intestine. While common in older adults, it can sometimes lead to serious health problems.
Another widespread health issue is high blood pressure, which affects one in ten adults worldwide. If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the chances of heart attacks and strokes.
Doctors often manage it with lifestyle changes and medications, but these treatments are not always perfect. Researchers are still learning about the potential side effects of some widely used blood pressure drugs.
A team of scientists at Imperial College London set out to explore these medications more deeply. They focused on three common types: ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. These drugs are prescribed to millions of people, but their side effects, especially over the long term, are not fully understood.
To investigate, the researchers used genetic analysis. They began by identifying proteins in the body that these drugs target to lower blood pressure.
Next, they looked at the genetic data of about 750,000 people to find specific gene variations that mimic how these medications work. This allowed them to study the effects of these drug-like gene variants on a wide range of health conditions.
The researchers examined whether these genetic variations were linked to an increased or decreased risk of other diseases. They used data from the UK Biobank, a large health study, to assess the risk of nearly 900 different diseases.
One surprising finding was that a specific group of calcium channel blockers, known as the non-dihydropyridine class, appeared to be connected to a higher risk of bowel conditions, including diverticulosis.
The scientists believe this connection might be due to how these drugs affect the muscles in the intestines. Normally, these muscles contract to help move food through the digestive system. If the drugs interfere with this process, it could contribute to the development of bowel problems.
Despite these findings, the researchers caution that patients should not make any changes to their treatment plans without consulting a doctor. High blood pressure is a serious condition, and stopping medication abruptly can be dangerous. Doctors and patients should weigh the risks and benefits of any treatment together.
Dr. Dipender Gill, who led the study, emphasized that these results should not change current prescribing practices. Instead, the findings highlight the importance of understanding how commonly used drugs may have unexpected effects on the body.
This study, published in the journal Circulation, marks an important step in uncovering the complex ways medications interact with our health. Future research may focus on reducing these risks while still keeping blood pressure under control.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that drinking tea could help lower blood pressure, and early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure.
For more health information, 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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