A new study from Canada has raised concerns about a possible link between a type of blood pressure medication and a higher risk of suicide.
The study was led by Muhammad Mamdani from St. Michael’s Hospital and was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
The researchers looked at a class of medications called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and other health problems like kidney disease, heart failure, and diabetes. They compared ARBs to another group of drugs called ACE inhibitors, which are also used to treat the same conditions.
The study found that people taking ARBs may have a 63% higher chance of dying by suicide than people who were taking ACE inhibitors. This result is worrying and suggests that ARBs might affect the brain in ways that could increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.
To reach this conclusion, the researchers studied Canadian health records and found 964 people who had died by suicide within 100 days of receiving a prescription for either an ARB or an ACE inhibitor. They compared this group with more than 3,000 people who were on similar medications but did not die by suicide.
The reason for this possible link may be related to how ARBs work. Both ARBs and ACE inhibitors are meant to reduce the effects of a hormone called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to tighten.
But they do this in different ways. ARBs block the hormone from attaching to its receptors, while ACE inhibitors reduce how much of the hormone is made in the body. The researchers think that in some cases, ARBs might lead to more angiotensin II building up in the brain. This could possibly affect mood and increase the risk of suicide.
It’s important to know that this study does not prove that ARBs cause suicide. It only shows there may be a connection. More research is needed to fully understand what is going on.
The study also pointed out that some people in the research were taking other medications such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines, which are drugs used to treat anxiety. These medicines can also affect suicide risk and may have influenced the results.
If you or someone you know is taking ARBs, there’s no need to panic. But it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about the study, especially if you’ve had any mental health concerns. In some cases, doctors may recommend switching to an ACE inhibitor instead.
In the end, the study is a reminder that while medications can help with one health issue, they might affect other parts of the body or mind in ways we don’t fully understand yet. It also shows how important it is to keep studying and learning about the effects of the medicines we use every day.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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