People should take blood pressure tablets at the time of day that suits them best, a review suggests. Researchers said they have found “conclusive evidence” that taking BP medicine in the evening is no better than taking it in the morning to protect against heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death. The findings, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024, are based on data from five trials involving nearly 47,000 patients.
Professor Ricky Turgeon from the University of British Columbia in Canada, said: “Patients should take their once-daily BP-lowering medications at whatever time best suits their preferences and circumstances.” About one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is the third biggest risk factor for all disease in the UK after smoking and poor diet.
Although a high blood pressure does not cause symptoms, taking medicines can help prevent complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. They work in different ways to reduce blood pressure by targeting various parts of the cardiovascular system. But questions remain around the timing of blood pressure medication, with some experts saying people should take their medicine in the evening because night-time blood pressure is a better predictor of heart disease outcomes than daytime blood pressure.
Professor Turgeon said that previous studies looking at the impact of BP medications at night have shown mixed results. To find out mor.