Some hypertension patients may experience further elevation in blood pressure levels when they take prescription medication for the disorder, according to research that was published in the American Journal of Hypertension.
Researchers suggest that physicians give individuals tests for blood levels of renin – an enzyme which helps regulate blood pressure – to see which medications would be most effective, and which would have detrimental effects.
“This would increase the likelihood of achieving blood pressure control and reduce the need for patients to take additional antihypertensive medications,” said lead author Michael Alderman.
In a study of 945 patients with hypertension, it was found that about eight percent had negative reactions to blood pressure drugs.
Results of this study suggest that some treatments have still not been examined closely enough to have clearly defined side effects, especially in certain subsets of individuals. The findings may point to a need for more holistic, non-medication therapies for high blood pressure.
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