A major study from Columbia University has revealed important differences between two commonly used medications for high blood pressure.
The study followed over 730,000 people for 17 years, making it one of the largest and longest studies of its kind. It focused on two drugs: chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide.
Both are widely used to lower blood pressure and help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and hospital visits due to heart failure.
While both medications are helpful, the researchers discovered that chlorthalidone may carry more health risks than hydrochlorothiazide.
One of the biggest concerns is that chlorthalidone can cause low potassium levels in the blood, a condition known as hypokalemia. This can be dangerous because potassium is important for the heart and muscles to work properly.
In the study, nearly 6.3% of people who took chlorthalidone developed hypokalemia. In comparison, only 1.9% of people taking hydrochlorothiazide experienced the same problem. Low potassium can lead to serious health issues, such as irregular heartbeats, confusion, kidney problems, and even the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The researchers also found that chlorthalidone was linked to other problems like imbalances in electrolytes and kidney issues. These risks were still present even when the drug was given in lower amounts.
Because of these findings, many doctors and experts are now rethinking how chlorthalidone should be used. Some are suggesting that patients taking this drug should be more closely monitored, especially for signs of low potassium and kidney trouble.
High blood pressure is a major health issue that affects millions of people around the world. If left untreated, it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, and other life-threatening problems. That’s why it’s so important to choose the safest and most effective treatment.
Treating high blood pressure usually includes medication and lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet, being active, reducing alcohol, quitting smoking, managing stress, and checking your blood pressure regularly can all make a big difference. It’s also important to work closely with your doctor to find the treatment that works best for you.
This new research shows that while both chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide can help control blood pressure, hydrochlorothiazide may be the safer option for many people. Doctors may need to consider these risks when choosing a medication for their patients.
The study, led by George Hripcsak and published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, adds valuable new information to the ongoing effort to improve heart health. It highlights how even trusted medications can have side effects that need to be carefully watched and managed.
This research helps doctors and patients make better choices and shows the importance of continued study in the field of blood pressure treatment.
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