There are two types of blood pressure medications that cause higher variability in blood pressure measurements between physician appointments visits, which is associated with an increased mortality risk, according to new research from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City.
Researchers examined 10,500-plus patients with at least seven recorded blood pressure medications between January 2007 and December 2011. They followed the patients for five years, tracking variances in blood pressure measurements and the class of medication being used.
The study shows use of alpha blockers and alpha 2 agonist is linked to increased variability in blood pressure measurements, and thereby increased death risk.
"Patients should know what their blood pressure is, 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," said Brian Clements, DO, lead study author and an internal medicine physician with Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute. "Where possible, the two types of medications that show an increase in variances should be avoided."
The researcher presented their study at the 2018 American College of Cardiology Scientific Session in Orlando, Fla., March 12.