Hypertension is a chronic disease with a high incidence rate. According to statistics, one in five adults suffers from hypertension.
Similarly, there are many wrong views about hypertension, the most typical of which is [taking antihypertensive drugs for a long time hurts the body].
Many hypertension patients have the concept of “three drugs are poisonous”. If they can not take drugs, they will not take drugs. In addition, they have seen such a long list of adverse reactions written on the drug instructions. They have many worries about long-term use of antihypertensive drugs and refuse to take drugs every day, resulting in unstable blood pressure and poor control.
Everyone thinks too much about the side effects of antihypertensive drugs.
Doctors often say that [every antihypertensive drug has side effects]. People interpret it as [antihypertensive drugs are harmful to the body], which is a bit inappropriate.
Adverse reactions occur in a small number of talents.
The adverse reactions listed in the instructions are a summary of various adverse reactions found in drug safety tests and long-term clinical observation. It does not mean that all adverse reactions will occur on a person, nor does it mean that the above-mentioned adverse reactions will definitely occur after taking this drug.
Some have written [common] adverse reactions, but in fact only 1% ~ 10% of the people will appear.
Any drug must go through strict safety tests before it is applied to patients. If the drug is harmful to the body, it is impossible to pass the examination and approval or appear on the market.
Some serious adverse reactions will only occur under specific conditions.
For example, the instructions of all receptor blockers (such as metoprolol, bisoprolol, etc.) say “forbidden for asthmatic patients” because it may cause acute attacks in asthmatic patients, not that this drug will cause asthma.
Side effects are not permanent
Most of the adverse reactions of antihypertensive drugs are reversible, which means that these adverse reactions can gradually disappear after drug withdrawal.
For example, ACEI drugs such as enalapril and captopril may cause dry cough. This adverse reaction generally gradually recovers after switching to ARB drugs such as valsartan and telmisartan.
The adverse reactions of some antihypertensive drugs can also be offset by combined drugs.
For example, nifedipine and calcium antagonists may cause ankle edema, but combined use of small doses of ACEI or ARB drugs can eliminate edema and enhance antihypertensive effect.
Under the condition of rational drug use, the adverse reactions caused by antihypertensive drugs are mostly mild and the incidence rate is also very low. As long as blood pressure is well controlled, long-term application of antihypertensive drugs is generally safe.
Compared with the harm caused by uncontrolled hypertension, the benefits of standardized medication are very obvious. I hope everyone can use drugs rationally under the guidance of doctors.