A new study from the University of Bologna has raised concerns about a popular blood pressure medication called beta-blockers.
These drugs are often used to treat high blood pressure, which is a major cause of heart disease.
But the research shows that beta-blockers might affect women differently than men—especially in emergency heart situations.
The study looked closely at people with high blood pressure who had no past heart disease but were later hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome.
This condition happens when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked and can lead to serious heart problems. The researchers found that women in this situation were more likely to develop heart failure than men.
The study used data from nearly 14,000 people across 12 European countries. All of them had high blood pressure but no history of heart disease. They were grouped by gender and whether or not they were taking beta-blockers.
Among the women who were taking beta-blockers, the risk of developing heart failure was nearly 5% higher than for men. The gap grew even larger in cases of severe heart attacks, especially STEMI—when an artery is fully blocked. Women with STEMI were 6.1% more likely to develop heart failure than men.
Surprisingly, when beta-blockers were not used, men and women had the same rates of heart failure. This suggests that the medication itself might be part of the problem for some women.
The study also revealed another serious issue: if someone develops heart failure after a heart attack, their risk of dying is about seven times higher than if they just had a heart attack alone. This makes the risk linked to beta-blockers even more important to understand.
One possible reason for this difference could be the way beta-blockers interact with female hormones, especially in women using hormone replacement therapy. But more research is needed to be sure.
This study shows how important it is to treat each patient as an individual. What works for one person may not be safe for another—especially when it comes to the differences between men and women.
For women with high blood pressure, this research is a good reason to talk to their doctor about their treatment plan. In some cases, other options like eating healthy, exercising regularly, and reducing stress may help lower blood pressure without needing medication.
The research, led by Professor Raffaele Bugiardini, was published in the journal Hypertension. It’s part of growing evidence that medical care should take gender differences into account to give everyone the best and safest care possible.
If you’re a woman taking beta-blockers or worried about heart disease, this study is a reminder to have open conversations with your doctor. Together, you can find the best way to stay healthy and avoid serious complications like heart failure.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that changing blood pressure readings is a hidden sign of heart disease and switching blood pressure drugs may treat the condition better.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about the arm squeeze test: could your blood pressure reading be wrong and bedtime medication more effective for high blood pressure.
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