ANOTHER DRUG FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASES RISK OF DEATH??
Seriously. First we see a meta analysis several years back of 95,000 patients on beta blockers that had increased risk of diabetes and stroke and no lowered risk of death. Now, in a review of almost 157,000 patients (that’s a big review, by the way) we see another large class of drugs used to treat HTN that actually increase the risk of heart failure18% higher risk), especially in diabetics (a substantial 71% increased risk)?? These are the times that I think I read TOO much medical literature. The reality is, with drugs, it is a race to see whether side effects kill you before the disease you’re trying to prevent does.
The bottom line? Lifestyle is the ONLY answer. So many times I hear patients tell me that their blood pressure is “controlled.” This is a false sense of security because the “numbers” look better. Rarely is their risk truly reduced without making the right lifestyle choices.