High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health problem that affects around one in ten adults.
If it isn’t treated properly, it can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes.
To lower their risk, many people take medicine to control their blood pressure. They may also try to eat better, exercise more, and reduce stress.
Common blood pressure medications include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. These drugs work in different ways to lower blood pressure and help protect the heart.
For most people, these medicines are helpful and safe. But scientists are still learning about their long-term effects, especially possible side effects that may take years to show up.
A group of researchers from Imperial College London recently looked deeper into this issue. They used a special research method that studies how genes affect the body. Their goal was to find out more about how these medications work and whether they could affect other parts of the body in unexpected ways.
The team studied the genes of about 750,000 people. They looked for natural changes in the genes that affect the same proteins targeted by blood pressure medications. These proteins play a role in how the drugs lower blood pressure.
The researchers then checked to see if those same proteins were connected to other health problems. They compared the gene data against nearly 900 different diseases to look for links.
One surprising result stood out. They found that a certain type of calcium channel blocker—a common blood pressure drug—might raise the risk of a gut condition called diverticulosis.
This condition causes small pockets to form in the lining of the intestine. While it often causes no symptoms, it can lead to belly pain or more serious problems.
Diverticulosis is more common in older people. But this possible link to a common medication was unexpected. The researchers think the drug might affect how the muscles in the intestines work.
These muscles are important for moving food through the body. If the drug slows down that movement, it could raise the chance of developing diverticulosis.
Still, the researchers say people should not stop taking their medication without speaking to their doctor. These drugs are very important for keeping blood pressure under control and preventing dangerous problems like strokes and heart attacks.
This research does not mean the medicine is unsafe. Instead, it highlights the importance of learning more about how common medications can affect the body in different ways. More studies are needed to understand this possible risk and how to manage it.
In the end, blood pressure drugs save lives, but like all medicines, they can have side effects. Talking with your doctor is the best way to make sure your treatment is right for you. If you’re worried about side effects or gut health, your doctor can help find the best approach for your situation.
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