Many people with hypertension take drugs that increase blood pressure - Medical News Today

have high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Certain medications for a number of different conditions can also raise blood pressure.

Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital, have examined existing survey data to determine how many people with hypertension are taking medication that may raise blood pressure.

He explained that sometimes, there is no choice but to give some people with hypertension drugs that can raise their blood pressure; however, other times, there may be other options:.

The researchers identified antihypertensive medications, which people take for hypertension, and medications that may cause elevated blood pressure.

Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher, diastolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg or higher, or if a person answered “yes” to the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or other healthcare professional that you had hypertension, also called high blood pressure?”.

The researchers also observed an association between these medications and increased risk of uncontrolled hypertension in people who were not receiving antihypertensives, but not among those who were receiving them.

They also found that “The use of medications that may raise [blood pressure] was associated with greater use of antihypertensives among both adults with controlled hypertension […] and adults with uncontrolled hypertension.”.

The most commonly prescribed medications that cause a rise in blood pressure are antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and estrogen.

He advised, “Regardless, patients with hypertension should monitor their blood pressure closely at home with a validated home blood pressure monitor and report changes to their [doctor].”