A new study from the University of Bologna has discovered that a common medicine for high blood pressure, called beta-blockers, might be riskier for women than for men.
The study looked at nearly 14,000 adults from 12 countries in Europe. These people all had high blood pressure but no history of heart disease. The researchers grouped them based on whether they were taking beta-blockers and whether they were male or female.
They found something surprising. Women taking beta-blockers had almost a 5% higher chance of developing heart failure than men if they were hospitalized for a heart problem called acute coronary syndrome. This condition includes serious heart issues like heart attacks.
For women who had a certain type of heart attack where a heart artery is completely blocked—called STEMI—the risk of heart failure was even higher. Women with STEMI were 6.1% more likely than men with the same condition to suffer heart failure.
On the other hand, men and women who were not taking beta-blockers had about the same risk. This suggests the extra risk may be linked to the medicine itself, at least for women.
Heart failure is a very serious problem. The study showed that both men and women who developed heart failure had a death rate about seven times higher than people who had a heart attack but no heart failure.
This research points to a possible gender difference in how beta-blockers work. The scientists think that hormone replacement therapy, which some women take during or after menopause, might affect how beta-blockers behave in the body. However, this theory was not directly tested in the study.
The findings were published in the journal Hypertension. The lead researcher, Dr. Raffaele Bugiardini, and his team say it’s important to look at gender when deciding how to treat high blood pressure.
Women with high blood pressure but no heart disease history might benefit more from lifestyle changes like healthy eating and regular exercise rather than jumping straight to beta-blocker medications.
This study reminds us that men and women can respond differently to the same treatment. Doctors may need to take a more personalized approach, especially when treating conditions like high blood pressure.
If you’re a woman taking beta-blockers for high blood pressure, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about this study. You might not need to change your medication, but it’s always smart to check and make sure you’re getting the best and safest treatment.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that changing blood pressure readings is a hidden sign of heart disease and switching blood pressure drugs may treat the condition better.
For more health information, please read studies about the arm squeeze test: could your blood pressure reading be wrong and bedtime medication more effective for high blood pressure.
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