Common blood pressure drugs linked to heart failure in women

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A recent study shows that people who take beta-blockers, but have no prior history of heart disease, face a nearly 5% higher risk of developing heart failure compared to men when hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

The research highlights potential differences in how men and women respond to beta-blockers, which are commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risks.

Beta-blockers are widely used medications that help manage high blood pressure by reducing the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels. High blood pressure is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and beta-blockers are a cornerstone of treatment for many patients.

However, this study raises important questions about whether these drugs affect men and women differently, particularly in the absence of pre-existing heart disease.

The research included data from 13,764 adults across 12 European countries. All participants had high blood pressure but no history of cardiovascular disease. They were grouped by gender and separated into two categories: those taking beta-blockers and those not taking them. The study tracked rates of heart failure among these patients after they were hospitalized for ACS.

Key findings include:

  • Women taking beta-blockers had a 4.6% higher rate of heart failure than men when hospitalized for ACS.
  • Women with a specific type of serious heart attack known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were 6.1% more likely to develop heart failure than men with STEMI.
  • Patients with heart failure—both men and women—faced approximately seven times the mortality risk compared to those with acute myocardial infarction but no heart failure.
  • Among patients not taking beta-blockers, there was no significant difference in heart failure rates between men and women.

The findings suggest that the higher risk for women could be linked to biological factors, potentially including interactions between beta-blockers and hormone replacement therapy (though this was not specifically analyzed in the study).

The results highlight the importance of tailoring hypertension treatments to individual patients, considering both gender and medical history.

For women with hypertension and no history of heart disease, the researchers emphasize the importance of managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and regular exercise. These measures can reduce reliance on medication and lower the risk of complications like heart failure.

This study, led by Raffaele Bugiardini and published in Hypertension, underscores the need for further research to explore why beta-blockers might pose a higher risk for women. Understanding these differences could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for hypertension and cardiovascular health.

For those interested in heart health, other recent studies suggest that vitamin C may help treat heart rhythm problems, and certain dietary changes can help reverse heart failure. Exploring non-drug strategies alongside medical treatments could offer additional benefits for managing cardiovascular risk.

If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.

For more information about health, please see recent studies about nutrient that could strongly lower high blood pressure, and results showing this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessels aging by 20 years.

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