A large study lasting 17 years and involving more than 730,000 people has brought new information about two common blood pressure drugs—chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide.
These medicines are often used to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
The research was done by scientists at Columbia University. It showed that while both medicines work well to control blood pressure, one of them—chlorthalidone—may cause more side effects than the other.
The biggest concern with chlorthalidone is that it can lower the amount of potassium in the body. This condition is called hypokalemia. Potassium is very important for our muscles and heart to work properly.
If potassium levels drop too much, it can cause problems like uneven heartbeats, confusion, trouble with the kidneys, and even raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.
In the study, 6.3% of people taking chlorthalidone had low potassium, while only 1.9% of those on hydrochlorothiazide had the same issue. This means the risk was three times higher for chlorthalidone.
The researchers also found that people taking chlorthalidone were more likely to have problems with their electrolytes and kidneys—even when they took smaller amounts of the drug.
These results make doctors think more carefully about which medicine to prescribe. While chlorthalidone has been a popular choice, it might not be the safest one for everyone. Doctors may need to check their patients more often if they are on this drug, or they might want to choose other options.
High blood pressure is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world. If it’s not treated properly, it can lead to heart problems, strokes, and other health issues.
Medicine is important, but it’s also helpful to make healthy changes in daily life. This includes eating better, moving more, drinking less alcohol, not smoking, and reducing stress. Checking your blood pressure at home can also help keep things under control.
The study was led by Dr. George Hripcsak and published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. It reminds us that everyone is different, and the best treatment should be chosen carefully. What works for one person might not be the best for someone else.
This research helps both doctors and patients make smarter choices. It shows that while both medicines can help, hydrochlorothiazide may be safer for many people. Scientists will keep studying these drugs so that treatments can keep getting better and safer.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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