Forgetting to take blood pressure tablets could increase the risk of heart attack or stroke by 40 per cent, research shows.
High blood pressure affects a third of adults and, if left untreated, greatly raises the chances of heart attacks, strokes and other potentially fatal conditions.
But new evidence suggests that dramatic swings in blood pressure can have an equally devastating effect on health.
A study at Glasgow University has revealed that visit-to-visit blood pressure variation was a strong predictor of mortality, independent of their long-term average blood pressure
Experts are warning that long-term variation in blood pressure – over months or years – can increase the risk of early death by 35 per cent, while the chances of a stroke or heart attack increase by 42 per cent compared to those with stable readings.
Patients taking their medication irregularly is one of the main reasons why blood pressure may swing dramatically. Even if their average readings remain below recommended limits, they remain at risk if they have wildly variable readings, the study found.
Other reasons for fluctuating blood pressure include stress, underlying conditions such as diabetes, which can damage blood vessels, or a genetic pre- disposition.
Known as the silent killer, because the symptoms often go unnoticed until it is too late, high blood pressure or hypertension is the single biggest cause of death worldwide.
Around 16 million British adults have the condition, although a third of these remain undiagnosed, with six million regularly taking tablets to control it.
Lead researcher Dr Sandosh Padmanabhan from the University of Glasgow said: ‘Blood pressure is inherently variable and will fluctuate due to a complex interaction of various factors.
Factors such as stress, seasonal effects and people not taking medication regularly can cause increased blood pressure fluctuations, said Dr Sandosh Padmanabhan at Glasgow University
‘Factors such as stress, seasonal effects and people not taking medication regularly can cause increased fluctuations. Although people cannot always control the changes in their blood pressure, they can make sure they take their tablets regularly. Those that do not could be further increasing their risk of heart attack or stroke by more than 40 per cent.
‘And in instances where people have side effects from blood pressure tablets, it would be better to take a lower more tolerable dose than taking the medication on and off.’
The current treatment of hypertension revolves around regular checks and adjusting treatment to get the blood pressure down to safe levels. Dr Padmanabhan said the findings also meant GPs should do more than take isolated readings.
‘The research has implications for how we best manage hypertension in patients. For example, physicians will need to give more consideration to blood pressure variability when monitoring and treating high blood pressure,’ he said.
‘Further studies could help identify specific drugs that could reduce variability.’
The study, published in the journal Hypertension, looked at more than 14,000 patients with the condition who attended a blood pressure clinic in Glasgow over a number of years. It showed that the scale of blood pressure variation was a strong predictor of mortality, independent of long-term average blood pressures.
Maureen Talbot, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘There’s a reason hypertension is known as the silent killer – millions don’t know they have it because they feel well.
‘This research shows the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring and, if necessary, taking your prescribed medication every day. Reducing stress levels, keeping your weight and salt intake down, and getting active can all help, too.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2408861/Forgetting-daily-blood-pressure-tablets-dramatically-increases-risk-stroke-heart-attack-death.html#ixzz2dqhMugJo
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