Could Be Causing High
Blood Pressure...
According to research scientists from Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Sheba Medical Center, many common OTC
(over-the-counter) and prescription medications are underlying causes of hypertension, which is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, and aneurisms.
The chemical components of the pain relief drugs can raise blood pressure or interfere with anti- hypertensive medications, he explains. And while many medications can cause this drug-induced hypertension, both patients and doctors are not aware of the problem and remain uninformed.
This recent research was published in the American Journal of Medicine.
Doctors Should Consider Alternative Treatment Options...
"In diagnosing the causes of hypertension, over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen are often
overlooked" says Prof. Grossman, chief researcher for the study. Patients often assume that because a medication can be obtained without a prescription, it's relatively harmless. But that's not always the case.
Many of the medications that are linked with a rise in blood pressure are quite widely used, says Prof. Grossman, whose research provides an overview of which medications are related to high blood pressure. Examples include contraceptive pills, various anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory pills to control pain and bacterial antibiotics.
Though high blood pressure is a known side effect of many of these medications, doctors do not always account for them in their treatment plans, and they don't inform patients of the potential risks associated with these medications. It's ultimately the doctor's responsibility to weigh treatment options and present the best course
for their patient should issues of hypertension arise, Prof. Grossman says.
Doctors may be advised to decrease the dosage of the drug, or add an anti-hypertensive drug to the treatment regime;. Most importantly, awareness on the part of both doctors and patients needs to be raised.
"Many physicians don't account for this, and some don't even know about it. It's their responsibility to be informed and make sure that their patients are aware that this is a possibility."
Determine If Benefit Outweighs
The Cost...
Though much of the time a course of treatment can be altered to account for the dangers of hyper-tension, that isn't always the case. For example, new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, which may increase blood pressure, block the formation of new blood vessels and arteries to
solid tumors.
Because the drugs are so effective in treating these malignancies, the benefit outweighs the cost, he believes.
Patients should be watched closely for signs of hypertension. "Once a patient has won a longer life with the use of these drugs, you don't want to expose them to problems associated with blood pressure, such as stroke," says Prof. Grossman.
There are simple ways to counteract drug-induced hypertension, such as the thoughtful addition of anti-hypertensive medications to a treatment
plan, he says.
Story Source:
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Journal Reference:
Drug-induced Hypertension: An Unappreciated Cause of Secondary Hypertension.
The American Journal of Medicine, 2012;
This article is for informational and educational purposes only; It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor orhealthcare professional.
