A recent study suggests that a commonly prescribed type of blood pressure medication, known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), might be linked to a higher risk of suicide compared to another type of blood pressure drug, ACE inhibitors.
The research was conducted by a team at St. Michael’s Hospital in Canada and published in JAMA Network Open.
ARBs and ACE inhibitors are both widely used medications to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. They work by targeting a hormone in the body called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to higher blood pressure.
However, they differ in how they act on this hormone. ARBs prevent angiotensin II from binding to receptors on blood vessels, while ACE inhibitors reduce the body’s production of the hormone altogether.
In this study, researchers analyzed data from Canadian health databases, focusing on individuals who had been prescribed either ARBs or ACE inhibitors.
They identified 964 people who died by suicide within 100 days of starting one of these medications and compared them to a control group of over 3,000 people who were also on these drugs but did not die by suicide.
The findings revealed a concerning pattern. Patients taking ARBs were found to have a 63% higher risk of suicide compared to those on ACE inhibitors. Researchers theorized that this might be due to the effects of ARBs on the brain.
These drugs can cause an increase in angiotensin II levels in the brain, which may influence mood and potentially trigger behaviors associated with mental health issues, including suicidal tendencies.
While these results are significant, the study also highlighted that other factors could have contributed to the increased risk. Some patients included in the study were also taking medications such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines, which might have influenced their mental health.
The researchers emphasized that more studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the connection between ARBs and suicide risk.
Given the potential implications, the research team suggested that patients who are concerned might consider using an ACE inhibitor instead of an ARB, where appropriate. However, they also advised that any decisions about medication should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.
The study was led by Muhammad Mamdani, director of the Applied Health Research Center at St. Michael’s Hospital. While it raises important questions about the safety of ARBs, the researchers stress that further investigation is essential before making broad recommendations.
For now, the findings highlight the importance of careful consideration when prescribing blood pressure medications, especially for patients with a history of mental health issues.
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 health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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