High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common health problem around the world. About one in ten adults has it.
If left untreated, it can cause very serious problems, like heart attacks or strokes. To manage this condition, many people are told to change their lifestyle—like eating healthier or exercising more—and to take medicine.
There are three major types of medicines often used to lower blood pressure. These are ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. These drugs are very helpful and have saved many lives. However, even though millions of people take them, researchers still don’t know everything about their possible side effects.
To learn more, scientists at Imperial College London did a big study. First, they used a modern research method that looks closely at how our genes work. They found out which proteins in the body are targeted by these blood pressure medicines to help lower pressure.
Next, they studied the genes of about 750,000 people to see if some people naturally have the same effects in their body as the drugs create. In other words, they looked for people whose genes already cause the same changes as the medicine would.
Then came the surprise. The researchers wanted to see if these proteins had any effect on other health problems. They looked at almost 900 different diseases and conditions, using data from a large UK study.
One finding stood out. A certain kind of calcium channel blocker, which is one type of blood pressure drug, was linked to a higher chance of getting a bowel condition called diverticulosis.
Diverticulosis happens when small pouches form in the lining of the intestines. It is more common in older adults. While sometimes it causes no symptoms, it can also lead to pain, bleeding, or infections.
The scientists think the medicine may affect how the muscles in the intestines move. This could slow down the movement of food in the gut and increase the chance of bowel problems.
However, they also stress one very important point: people should not stop taking their medicine without talking to their doctor. This study is early research, and more work is needed before making any big changes.
This discovery opens the door to a better understanding of how blood pressure drugs might affect other parts of the body. The team hopes that in the future, doctors will be able to balance the good effects of these medicines with any risks they might carry.
In short, blood pressure medicine is very important and helps many people live longer, healthier lives. But like all medicines, it’s important to keep studying them.
This research found a possible link between one type of blood pressure drug and bowel problems. But don’t panic—just talk to your doctor if you have concerns. And remember, never change your medication without professional advice.
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