A new study from Penn State and other research teams has found that some common drugs used to treat high blood pressure might not be as safe as we thought.
These drugs are called L-type calcium channel blockers, or LCCBs. They are widely prescribed to help lower blood pressure, but this study suggests they may actually raise the risk of heart failure.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects almost half of all adults in the U.S. That’s more than 100 million people. Around the world, the number is expected to reach 1.56 billion by 2025. If it’s not treated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other serious problems.
LCCBs work by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels. This helps the vessels open wider so blood can flow more easily, which lowers blood pressure. But the new research found that these drugs might also cause harmful changes in the blood vessels, making it harder for the heart to do its job.
Here’s how it works. Blood vessels are lined with special muscle cells called vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). These cells can tighten or relax to help control blood flow. Calcium is an important part of this process.
When too much calcium enters these cells, the blood vessels can become thick and stiff. This makes it harder for blood to flow and can make blood pressure even higher.
LCCBs were created to block this calcium from getting into the cells. But in this study, scientists found that the drugs might stop one harmful process while causing another.
Even though the calcium is blocked, the cells still change in a way that makes the vessels stiffer. This process is called “remodeling,” and it can make the heart work harder and lead to heart failure over time.
To better understand what’s happening, the researchers studied muscle cells in the lab and in rats. They also looked at real-life data from patients at Penn State. The results showed that people who took LCCBs were more likely to develop heart failure than those who used other types of blood pressure medicine.
This is important information for doctors. It means they should be careful when giving these drugs to certain people—especially older adults or those with very high blood pressure.
The researchers also warned that people with high blood pressure who get COVID-19 should be watched closely if they are taking LCCBs, because the drugs might make blood vessel damage worse.
Doctors are always looking for better ways to treat high blood pressure. Some research shows that things like fasting or drinking cherry juice may help lower blood pressure naturally. But every person is different, and treatment should always be based on a person’s full health picture.
This study, published in the journal PNAS and led by Mohamed Trebak, shows why it’s important to keep researching how different drugs affect our bodies. The goal is to find the safest, most effective ways to treat high blood pressure without causing other health problems.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top foods to love for a stronger heart, and why oranges may help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about simple guide to a 7-day diabetes meal plan, and why you should add black beans to your plate.
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