A study from Canada has raised concerns about certain blood pressure medications possibly being linked to a higher risk of suicide. The research, led by Dr. Muhammad Mamdani from St. Michael’s Hospital and published in JAMA Network Open, compared two common types of blood pressure drugs: Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors.
These medications are widely prescribed to help treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. They both target a hormone in the body called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to narrow.
However, they work in slightly different ways. ARBs stop this hormone from attaching to its receptors, while ACE inhibitors reduce the amount of the hormone made in the first place.
In this study, researchers looked into whether there was a difference in suicide risk between people taking ARBs and those taking ACE inhibitors. They examined Canadian health data and found 964 people who died by suicide within 100 days of starting one of these medications.
These cases were then compared with more than 3,000 other people who had similar health backgrounds and were taking the same types of drugs.
The results were striking: the study found that those on ARBs had a 63% higher chance of dying by suicide compared to those on ACE inhibitors. While this does not prove that ARBs directly cause suicidal thoughts or behavior, it points to a potential link that needs more attention.
One possible explanation involves the brain. The researchers suggest that ARBs might increase the amount of angiotensin II in the brain, which could affect mood and mental health. However, this is still a theory, and more research is needed to fully understand the connection.
It’s also important to know that the people in the study were not only taking blood pressure medication. Some were also using antidepressants or medications for anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, which could influence their mental state. These other drugs may also play a role in the increased suicide risk, which adds complexity to the findings.
The researchers are not saying that everyone should stop taking ARBs. These medications are effective and necessary for many people. But the findings do suggest that ACE inhibitors might be a safer option in terms of mental health — at least until more is known.
Patients currently taking ARBs should not panic or make any sudden changes without speaking to their doctor. Every person’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions should always be made with medical guidance.
In the end, this study serves as a warning and a call for more research. Understanding how different medications affect both physical and mental health is essential for safe and effective treatment.
If you or someone you know is taking blood pressure medicine and is struggling with mood or mental health issues, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider. Help is available, and support can make a real difference.
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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