Two drugs better than one for high blood pressure
Two drugs are better than one when treating high blood pressure, according to new research which could change the way the condition is managed world-wide.
Researchers, including teams at Glasgow and Dundee universities, found patients enjoyed better results and fewer side-effects if they were given two medicines at once.
It is predicted offering the combination to all sufferers would cut the number of people who experience strokes and heart attacks.
Details of the findings were published in the Lancet medical journal.
Doctors usually start patients with hypertension on one treatment and introduce others over several months if needed to bring the problem under control.
During the trial, which involved 1250 patients, those who immediately began taking two medicines had a 25% better response in the first six months and were less likely to stop taking their prescription because of side-effects.
The two different drugs were combined into a single tablet, so they did not have to swallow additional pills.
Gordon McInnes, Professor of clinical pharmacology at Glasgow University, said: “The results of this trial are of huge importance to doctors and people treated for high blood pressure.
“Future treatment will be more effective and, since fewer side effects will lead to better acceptance of therapy, many fewer heart attacks and strokes are likely.”
Professor Tom MacDonald, of Dundee University, said: “The research is a great result for patients with high blood pressure.”
Around a third of adults are said to suffer high blood pressure in Scotland.
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