Diverticulosis is a condition that affects the intestines. It causes small pouches or bulges to form in the lining of the bowel.
This condition is more common in older adults and, in some cases, it can become serious and require emergency treatment.
High blood pressure is another widespread health problem. It affects about one in ten adults around the world. If not controlled, high blood pressure can lead to dangerous health issues like heart attacks and strokes. Doctors usually treat high blood pressure by suggesting changes in lifestyle, like better diet and exercise, and by prescribing medications.
A group of researchers from Imperial College London recently studied three common medications used to treat high blood pressure. These were ACE-inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Even though millions of people take these drugs, scientists still don’t know everything about their side effects.
To understand these drugs better, the research team used genetic data. They focused on the proteins that these medications target to help lower blood pressure. Then, using data from around 750,000 people, they found genetic differences that relate to these proteins. This allowed them to study how the effects of these drugs might link to other health problems.
When the scientists looked at the risks for around 900 different diseases, they found something surprising. One type of calcium channel blocker, known as the non-dihydropyridine class, was linked to a higher risk of bowel issues like diverticulosis.
The researchers think this might be because these medications could affect the muscles in the intestines that help move food through the gut.
Even though this finding is important, the researchers say that it does not mean patients should stop taking their blood pressure medicine. They warn that no one should make changes to their medication without talking to their doctor first.
This study, led by Dr. Dipender Gill, was published in the journal Circulation. It helps doctors and scientists better understand how common blood pressure drugs might have effects beyond just lowering blood pressure. In the future, more research may look for ways to reduce these risks while still helping people manage their blood pressure safely.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about the ideal blood pressure for older people and common high blood pressure drugs may cause memory problems.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about A common blood pressure medication that could help you live longer and 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure takes a medication that harms blood pressure.
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