High blood pressure is a serious health problem that affects about one in every ten people around the world. It increases the risk of life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
Doctors often treat high blood pressure with a mix of lifestyle changes — such as eating healthy and exercising — and prescription drugs. These medicines can be life-saving, but scientists are still learning about their long-term effects on the body.
Recently, a team of researchers from Imperial College London studied three common types of blood pressure medications: ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. These drugs are used by millions of people every day.
Although they are widely prescribed, some of their possible side effects are still not well understood. The researchers wanted to explore whether these medications might be linked to other health problems.
To do this, they used a method called genetic analysis. Instead of testing the drugs directly on people, they looked at genes that act in a similar way to the medications.
First, they found the proteins in the body that each drug targets to help lower blood pressure. Then, they searched a huge genetic database of about 750,000 people to find genetic variations linked to those proteins. These variations act like a natural version of taking the drug.
Next, they studied whether these gene variants were connected to a higher or lower risk of developing other diseases. They used data from the UK Biobank, a large health study with detailed information on thousands of health conditions. In total, they examined links to about 900 different diseases.
One of the most interesting findings was about a specific type of calcium channel blocker, called non-dihydropyridine. These drugs help lower blood pressure by relaxing the muscles of the heart and blood vessels.
But the researchers found that people with genetic traits that mimic this type of drug had a higher risk of developing certain bowel conditions — including diverticulosis.
Diverticulosis is a condition where small pouches form in the lining of the intestine. It’s more common in older adults and usually doesn’t cause major problems. But in some cases, it can become serious and even require emergency medical care.
The researchers believe that this type of calcium channel blocker may affect the muscles in the intestines, making it harder for food to move through the gut. This could increase the chances of bowel issues.
Despite this finding, the scientists were clear about one important point: people should not stop taking their blood pressure medication because of this study. These medicines are proven to prevent heart attacks and strokes, and the benefits far outweigh any potential risks in most cases. If patients have concerns, they should speak to their doctor before making any changes.
The study was led by Dr. Dipender Gill and published in the medical journal Circulation. It is part of a growing effort to better understand how medications interact with the whole body — not just the organs they are meant to treat. Future research may help find ways to reduce side effects while still keeping blood pressure under control.
This work shows the importance of looking at medicines in a new way — not just how they help, but also how they might affect other parts of our health.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that black licorice could cause dangerous high blood pressure, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about how coffee influence your risk of high blood pressure, and results showing this olive oil could reduce blood pressure in healthy people.
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