A group of scientists from the University of Vigo and other research centers has found a simple way to help people with high blood pressure stay healthier and live longer. Their research shows that taking blood pressure medicine at bedtime instead of in the morning can lower blood pressure more effectively and reduce the risk of serious heart problems and even death.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart diseases. Many people take medicine every day to control their blood pressure, but this study suggests that the time of day the medicine is taken could make a big difference.
The researchers studied more than 19,000 people with high blood pressure. Each person was asked to take their medicine either in the morning after waking up or at night before going to sleep.
The study lasted over six years, and during that time, the researchers checked each person’s blood pressure for 48 hours at least once a year. This allowed them to see how the timing of the medication affected blood pressure over a long period.
The results were surprising and clear. People who took their blood pressure medicine at bedtime were much less likely to have heart problems or die from them. In fact, these people had a 45% lower risk of having or dying from a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or needing a procedure to open blocked arteries.
More specifically, taking medicine at night led to a 66% lower risk of dying from heart or blood vessel disease, a 44% lower chance of having a heart attack, a 49% lower chance of having a stroke, a 42% lower risk of heart failure, and a 40% lower chance of needing surgery to fix blocked blood vessels.
These findings go against the usual advice many people receive, which is to take blood pressure medicine in the morning. That advice is often based on the idea that blood pressure is usually higher in the morning. But this study suggests that what matters more is lowering blood pressure during sleep, not just in the morning.
The researchers found that blood pressure during sleep is a stronger sign of heart disease risk than blood pressure taken while awake or at the doctor’s office. The study is part of the larger Hygia Project, which focuses on improving how high blood pressure is managed.
Interestingly, no other studies have shown that taking medicine in the morning helps reduce the risk of heart problems. This makes the new study even more important, as it is the first large and long-term study to clearly show that bedtime is the better time for taking blood pressure medicine.
The research was led by Professor Ramón C. Hermida and published in the European Heart Journal. It gives doctors and patients a very simple but powerful tool to protect heart health—just change the time you take your pill.
If you take medicine for high blood pressure, this new research might be something to talk about with your doctor. A small change like switching your medicine to bedtime could help you avoid serious health problems and live a longer, healthier life.
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