A large study lasting 17 years and including over 730,000 people with high blood pressure has revealed new information about two common medications: chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide.
The research was led by scientists at Columbia University and offers important advice for people managing high blood pressure.
Both medications are often used to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and hospitalizations for heart failure. While both drugs work well, this study found that chlorthalidone may cause more side effects than hydrochlorothiazide.
One of the biggest differences is the risk of having low potassium levels, a condition known as hypokalemia. Potassium is a mineral that helps your heart and muscles work properly. If potassium levels drop too low, it can lead to serious problems like irregular heartbeats, confusion, kidney failure, and even a higher chance of getting type 2 diabetes.
In the study, 6.3% of people who took chlorthalidone developed low potassium, compared to just 1.9% of those who took hydrochlorothiazide. This means the risk of low potassium was almost three times higher for people on chlorthalidone.
The study also showed that chlorthalidone came with a greater risk of other problems, such as issues with electrolytes and the kidneys. These side effects were seen even when people took lower doses of the drug.
Because of these findings, experts are now asking whether chlorthalidone should be recommended as strongly as it has been in the past. The study suggests that doctors should be extra careful and closely monitor people who are given this medication.
Treating high blood pressure is very important. If it is not managed well, it can lead to dangerous conditions like strokes, heart disease, and early death. Doctors usually use a mix of approaches, including medications, lifestyle changes, and regular health check-ups.
In addition to medicine, people can help control their blood pressure by eating healthy foods, exercising often, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and managing stress. It also helps to check blood pressure regularly at home.
This new research shows how important it is to find the right treatment for each person. Not every drug works the same for everyone, and it’s important to think about both the benefits and the risks. The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine and led by George Hripcsak.
In summary, while both chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide are helpful for lowering blood pressure, this long-term study suggests that hydrochlorothiazide might be the safer option for many people. Patients and doctors should work together to choose the best plan, based on each person’s health and risks.
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