High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease

medicalnewstoday.com

70NEWSJAPAN - The team used these data to assess whether certain classes of blood pressure medication were associated with variability in blood pressure levels.

The study revealed two classes of blood pressure medication that were linked to higher blood pressure variability in subjects: alpha blockers and alpha-2 agonists.

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Alpha blockers — which include doxazosin mesylate and prazosin hydrochloride — work by dilating the blood vessels. Alpha-2 agonists, such as methyldopa, work by targeting sympathetic nervous system activity, thereby reducing blood vessel constriction.

Based on the study results, Dr. Clements and colleagues say that these two medications should not be used to treat hypertension.

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"Patients should know what their blood pressure is," he says, "and if it's up and down all the time, the patient should work with their physician to explore options for the best blood pressure medications that will reduce variances."

Dr. Clements adds that ace inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics may be safer treatment options for people with hypertension. "People who are on other types of blood pressure medications have an increased risk of death," he adds.

However, blood pressure variability is not solely down to medication; Dr. Clements notes that the way in which blood pressure is measured can have a significant effect on readings.

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"[...] because of the variables that affect blood pressure measurements," says Dr. Clements, "finding ways to more accurately measure blood pressure can better identify effective treatments for patients who have hypertension."

For accurate blood pressure readings, he recommends sitting or laying down for 15 minutes before measurements are taken. Avoiding stressful situations and using a well-fitting blood pressure cuff may also help.