A recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session underscores the importance of reviewing your medications regularly with your care team. This research found that nearly one-in-five patients with high blood pressure also take medications that can elevate blood pressure.
This finding raises concerns, since even a small increase in blood pressure can significantly impact risk of cardiovascular disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure. These patients are at an increased risk for life-threatening conditions like heart attack, heart failure and stroke. If you or a loved one have high blood pressure or may be at risk, it is important to consider the possible effects of medications on your heart.
Link Between High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high. This damages blood vessels and can increase risk of cardiovascular disease, along with other serious health problems. Because it is most commonly an asymptomatic condition, hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer.”
Excess strain and damage from high blood pressure causes the body’s arteries, including the coronary arteries, to harden with plaque. Stiff arteries coupled with an unstable inner arterial lining can result in gradual narrowing (stenosis) or sudden occlusion. In the brain, arterial occlusion can lead to stroke. Hypertension is a particularly important risk factor for stroke, with three out of four stroke victims having high blood pressure. In the heart, arterial occlusion can lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack) and, in turn, arrhythmias and heart failure.
Medications That Can Elevate Blood Pressure
Unfortunately, some common medications may have the unintended side effect of raising blood pressure, leading to adverse effects on our heart health. These include both over-the-counter and prescribed medications. The most common classes of drugs identified in the study were antidepressants; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen; and oral steroids used to treat conditions such as gout, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or after an organ transplant. Other medications that can sometimes raise blood pressure include antipsychotics, certain oral contraceptives and some decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine.
Many patients have multiple health issues and need multiple medications to address all of their various non-cardiac conditions and symptoms. That said, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects and to review all medications you take with your doctor. That includes prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medications.
Changes You Can Make to Lower High Blood Pressure
While there is no cure for high blood pressure, using medications as prescribed and making lifestyle changes can enhance your quality of life and reduce your risk of heart disease.
You can lower your blood pressure by eating a heart-healthy diet and avoiding high-salt foods. Alcohol intake and elevated body weight can have a particularly significant impact on raising blood pressure. Therefore, I recommend that you exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Quit smoking, and if you drink, do so in moderation — that means 0-1 drinks per day and never more than two drinks. Losing as little as 10 pounds can help dramatically. If you are overweight, research suggests that losing 10% of your body weight can make a truly life-changing impact on your blood pressure and overall health.
Finally, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea can really improve your blood pressure. It can also decrease your chances of stroke and arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.
It is also important to remember that you and your physician are partners in your care. You are a very important part of your own health care team, which means that you should keep your doctor informed of all medications you are taking. Your doctor can help you find the best balance to manage your non-cardiac symptoms while mitigating cardiac risk. Specifically, your doctor can identify alternatives to any medications that might be worsening your hypertension, or prescribe additional blood pressure medications as needed. Most patients need more than one medication to reach their blood pressure goal.
With proper treatment and management, you can control your blood pressure and live a long, healthy life. If you have questions about your medications, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with your physician today.
Dr. Anthony Magnano is a Ponte Vedra resident and the Chief of Cardiology at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside. For more information on Dr. Magnano and his specialty treating Atrial fibrillation, visit Healthcare.ascension.org.
