High Blood Pressure Meds Can Elevate Risk Of Dying

In a Research Paper published by Herman Haller in the New England journal of Medicine on March 10, 2011, it was revealed that the high blood pressure medication olmesartan was related to a delayed occurrence of protein in the urine, even though the control of blood pressure in both clinical study groups was very good according to established standards. The report went on to say we should be significantly conce
ed about the higher occurrence of death from cardiovascular events among patients with established coronary heart disease who were taking olmesartan. In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, 4447 persons with type II diabetes participated. Half of the patients were given a placebo and half were given olmesartan for a median time span of 3.2 years. Supplemental antihypertensive medications were given as required to bring blood pressure down to less than 130/80 mm Hg.

There was an increased number of deaths from cardiovascular events in the group of patients taking olmesartan (15 olmesartan patients versus 3 placebo patients). The increased death rate was due to additional occurrences of fatal myocardial infarction (5 versus 0) and sudden cardiac deaths (7 versus 1) in the group of patients taking olmesartan.

A commentary on this study was presented by Daiichi Sankyo, a company based in Japan that is involved in sales, research, manufacturing and development of pharmaceutical medications. As one might imagine, the article exhibited an obvious bias in its attempt to minimize the negative consequences for taking this medication.

Olmesartan belongs to a group of high blood pressure medications known as angiotensin-receptor II antagonists. Benicar is the most popular brand name. In Europe and Canada it is known as Olmetec. These drugs work by inhibiting the activity of a blood vessel constricting hormone known as angiotensin. The drug decreases blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to dilate thus reducing blood flow resistance.

In November, 2004, The British Medical journal published an editorial with the title,” Myocardial infarction and angiotensin receptor blockers. These medications may increase the incidence myocardial infarction - and patients need to know this.” The fact of the matter is, patients are never informed about this very real danger. This review underscores the fact that many studies previously done have indicated an elevated rate in heart attacks and strokes using angiotensin receptor blockers.

At least one attempt was made to pull olmesartan off the stage of scrutiny. Researchers proposed that the reason for the increased rate of heart disease might have been the overzealous treatment of high blood pressure. This established phenomena, referred to as the “J curve of mortality”, occurs when medication is used to reduce the diastolic (the lower one) blood pressure below 85 mm/Hg.

Generally speaking blood pressure medications should only be given when blood pressure is shown to be consistently at 160/100 mm/Hg or higher for several months running. This is according to drug therapy protocols prescribed by British Guidelines for Hypertension. If medication must be given then the preferred drug is chlorthalidone. The target is to bring down the diastolic pressure in the range of 85 to 90 mm/Hg. It is important not to go lower than that because the “J curve of mortality”clearly indicates that overzealous treatment with drugs kills. The aforementioned article in The New England journal of Medicine went on to point out the increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and death from the use of angiotensin receptor blockers. Other blood pressure medications in this category include Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, Diovan, Hyzaar, Micardis and Teveten.

One occurrence of an elevated blood pressure is not justification for taking medications. Recently a friend of mine was examined by his physician and his blood pressure was 142/92. Based on this one reading he was given a prescription for an angiotensin receptor blocker.

Immediately he purchased a blood pressure cuff and observed that his blood pressure was very normal at home. This indicates the large-scale ignorance that pervades the community of physicians In the United States. Other studies have demonstrated that giving blood pressure medicine when the diastolic is less than 100 does more harm than good. A patient should consistently exhibit high blood pressure for a period of several months before being given any medication.

In most every case, blood pressure can be brought down by changing one's diet. The best diet is plant-based with emphasis on whole foods. All animal products including dairy should be eliminated as much is possible. Oils should be eliminated as well. Our standard Western diet consumes an incredible 47% of calories from fat. It should be no more than 5%. In the 1920s we consumed 5 pounds of sugar per year per capita and now each man woman and child eats 150 pounds every year. As a result of these excesses, hypertension has become the most common ailment in our Western civilization.