Diverticulosis is a condition where small bulges or pouches form in the wall of the intestines. It often happens as people get older.
Many people with this condition have no symptoms, but in some cases, it can lead to serious health problems or even emergencies.
Another common health issue is high blood pressure. Around 1 in 10 adults worldwide has it. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other major health concerns.
To manage it, doctors usually suggest healthy lifestyle changes and prescribe medications. Some of the most common medicines used include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers.
Now, researchers at Imperial College London have taken a closer look at these medicines to find out if they might have side effects that we don’t fully understand yet. The study, led by Dr. Dipender Gill, used a special kind of analysis called genetic analysis. This method studies small differences in people’s genes to learn how certain medicines might affect the body.
First, the team looked at the proteins that blood pressure medications target—these proteins help lower blood pressure. Then they searched through genetic data from about 750,000 people to find gene variants that change how those proteins work. This helped them mimic the effect of taking the medications.
Using this genetic information, the researchers checked to see if people with these gene variants were more likely to develop other diseases. They looked at nearly 900 health conditions using information from the UK Biobank, a large health study in the United Kingdom.
One of the most surprising results was a link between a specific type of calcium channel blocker—called non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers—and a higher risk of developing diverticulosis.
The researchers think this might happen because these medicines affect the muscles in the intestines. These muscles are important for moving food through the digestive system. If the medicine slows down or changes how the muscles work, it could affect bowel movements and lead to the formation of pouches in the intestine.
It’s important to understand that the study does not prove these medicines directly cause diverticulosis. Instead, it shows there might be a connection that needs more research. Still, this information is useful and could help scientists and doctors learn more about how to reduce unwanted side effects while still helping patients manage their blood pressure.
The researchers also warned that people should not stop taking their blood pressure medicine without talking to their doctor. Keeping blood pressure under control is very important for overall health. For most people, the benefits of these medicines are much greater than the possible risks.
This study, published in the journal Circulation, helps us better understand how common medications may have effects beyond what they are meant to treat. In the future, this kind of research may help doctors choose the best treatment for each person—one that keeps blood pressure low and avoids other health problems.
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