Antihypertensive drugs do not help mild hypertension patients
Clinical Antihypertensive drugs have little effect in preventing heart attacks, strokes or death in those with mild hypertension, a Cochrane review has found. Potential adverse effects as well as the cost of the treatment were also highlighted.
Antihypertensive drugs have little effect in preventing heart attacks, strokes or death in those with mild hypertension, a Cochrane review has found.
The review of four studies, covering almost 9,000 subjects, compared existing trials between untreated individuals and those who received the treatment over four to five years.
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Hypertensive drugs did not reduce coronary heart disease, strokes or total cardiovascular events in 7,080 of the 8,912 participants, the Cochrane review found |
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It found that the drugs "did not reduce total mortality" and did not reduce coronary heart disease, strokes or total cardiovascular events in 7,080 of the 8,912 participants. However, 9 per cent of patients had to discontinue the treatment due to suffering adverse effects. Antihypertensive therapy is normally considered for patients with mildly elevated blood pressure but no history of cardiovascular disease. |
Third of patients unaware pharmacists can help with
heart conditionsThe researchers noted that there was "no direct evidence supporting this practice" and said that the decision to treat this group had "important consequences" in terms of potential adverse effects as well as the cost of the treatment.
The review concluded that "the benefits and harms of antihypertensive drug therapy… need to be investigated by further research".
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