High blood pressure is a major health problem that affects about one in ten adults around the world.
It’s a serious condition because it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other health issues.
To manage it, many people take medications and make lifestyle changes like eating better and exercising.
One type of medicine often used to treat high blood pressure is called calcium channel blockers. These drugs help relax the blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. But a new study from Imperial College London has found that a certain kind of calcium channel blocker may have an unexpected side effect.
The study looked at a group of these drugs known as non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Researchers found that this specific kind may raise the risk of a bowel condition called diverticulosis.
This condition causes small bulges or pouches to form in the lining of the intestines. It mostly affects older adults and, in some cases, can lead to serious problems that require medical care.
To investigate this, the scientists examined three common blood pressure medications: ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. While these drugs are widely used, we still don’t fully understand all their possible side effects.
The team used genetic data to study how these medications might affect the body. They focused on genes that produce proteins similar to the ones targeted by the medications. Then they looked at data from about 750,000 people to see if these genetic traits were linked to other diseases.
They used information from the UK Biobank, a large health study that includes data on around 900 different medical conditions. What they found was surprising. People who had genes that mimicked the effects of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers had a higher risk of developing bowel problems like diverticulosis.
The researchers believe this might happen because the drugs affect the muscles in the intestines. These muscles are important for moving food through the digestive system. If the muscles don’t work properly, it could lead to problems like bulges forming in the gut.
Even though the findings are important, the researchers say that people should not stop taking their medications. These blood pressure medicines can be lifesaving, and any changes to treatment should be made only with a doctor’s advice.
This study is a good reminder that medications can sometimes have side effects we didn’t expect. That’s why it’s so important to keep doing research and to talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
The study, led by Dr. Dipender Gill, was published in the journal Circulation. It adds to what we know about how blood pressure medications may affect other parts of the body, like the gut.
For those interested in gut health, other studies suggest that green tea might help improve digestion and lower blood sugar. Some diets have also been linked to better gut health and weight loss. And there is even research on how red wine might benefit the gut.
This research helps us understand the full picture of how medications work in the body—and reminds us to stay informed and ask questions about our health.
If you care about gut health, please read studies that your gut can help lower your blood pressure: here’s how and from shock to awe: a zap in the gut could be the new insulin for people with diabetes.
For more about gut health, please read studies about a surprising link between gut health and eye disease risk and Gut troubles could signal future Parkinson’s disease.
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