At night! According to a recent study in the European Heart Journal, hypertensive patients will have better cardiovascular (CV) outcomes if they take their blood pressure medications at night.
The Study
High blood pressure leads to heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, it is crucial to manage hypertension. Apparently, managing blood pressure during sleep predicts CV outcomes better than daytime pressures. This Spanish team randomized over 19,000 patients into 2 groups: taking medications at bedtime or upon awakening. The patients were followed closely for 6.3 years. The results: 50% relative reduction in CV related death, heart attack, heart failure and stroke in those who took their blood pressure medicines at night.
This is a very impactful study. However, this simple, cost-free intervention received very little publicity compared to the “hype” from a new expensive drug with much smaller impact.
National Heart Month
We thought this would be a good article to kick off National Heart Month. I am interested in maintaining a Healthy Heart since my grandfather had a heart attack at 52 and then his daughter (my mother) had a heart attack at 52. Genetics are not the end of the story! Environmental influences make a big impact. Let us show you how.
We hope you will join us everyday in February for 29 Days of a Healthy Heart!
Dr. Tracy
