High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common health problem that affects many people around the world.
If it’s not treated properly, it can lead to serious health issues, like heart attacks and strokes.
Doctors have several types of medicines they can choose from to treat high blood pressure. But choosing the best one to start with can be tricky. The five main kinds of blood pressure drugs are ACE inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers).
So far, there hasn’t been enough clear research to show which one is the best first choice. Because of this, doctors often go with what they’re used to or what they think works best.
A group of researchers from Columbia University wanted to find out which medicine is actually the best to start with. They decided to focus on two types in particular: ACE inhibitors, which are the most common first choice, and thiazide diuretics, which are not used as often.
To do this, the researchers looked at the medical records of almost 5 million people who were just beginning treatment for high blood pressure. Half of them had been prescribed ACE inhibitors, while only 17% had started with thiazide diuretics.
What they found was surprising. People who began their treatment with thiazide diuretics had better results than those who started with ACE inhibitors. They had 15% fewer major heart problems, like heart attacks and strokes. They also had fewer side effects from the medication.
The researchers estimated that if all the people who had started with ACE inhibitors had been given thiazide diuretics instead, about 3,100 serious heart issues might have been prevented.
This means doctors might want to think twice before choosing ACE inhibitors as the first medicine for high blood pressure. Thiazide diuretics, though used less often, could be the better and safer option for many people.
Of course, every person is different. What works well for one patient might not work as well for another. People’s health, habits, and other conditions can all affect how they respond to a medicine.
Still, this study gives doctors and patients something important to think about. It raises the question of why thiazide diuretics aren’t being used more often when they seem to give better results.
The findings were published in the medical journal The Lancet. The researchers say more studies are needed to confirm their results and to better understand why thiazide diuretics work so well for some people.
This study shows that even with common illnesses like high blood pressure, there is always more to learn. Medical knowledge keeps growing, and sometimes new discoveries can change the way doctors treat patients.
For now, this research could lead to better treatment decisions that help people avoid serious heart problems. It’s a good reminder for everyone to stay updated on new health information and to talk openly with their doctors about the best treatment options.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about why checking blood pressure while lying down is very important and lowering top blood pressure number to less than 120 mm Hg effectively prevents heart disease.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that turmeric and vitamin D may boost blood pressure control in type 2 diabetes and scientists find link between blood pressure drugs and bowel diseases.
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