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The researchers point out that the study found that pills to control blood pressure have better effects if taken at night. But several doctors indicate that more study should be done and include different ethnic groups in them.
To optimize the results of your medications for high blood pressure or hypertension it is best to take them just before bedtime.
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This is the conclusion of an investigation published in the European Heart Journal that adds that following this advice can "save lives."
The study, conducted at the University of Vigo in Spain, found that the pills offer better protection against strokes and heart attacks when ingested before going to sleep instead of taking them in the morning.
Experts believe, based on the study, that each person's biological clock alters our response to the medication.
"Current guidelines on the management of hypertension do not advise any preferred treatment time. Morning ingestion has been the most common recommendation by doctors on the basis of the deceptive objective of reducing blood pressure levels in the morning," explained Ramon Hermida, the research leader.
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Doctors usually recommend taking medications to control hypertension in the morning.
The researchers were also clear that more study is needed to confirm that these findings apply to all patients of the different brands of pills used to combat hypertension.
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There is abundant evidence that different medications, including hypertension, could have better effects if taken at a certain time of day.
This latest study is the most widely known so far to investigate the phenomenon with high blood pressure pills and included 19,000 people taking this type of medication.
In the study of the University of Vigo, patients were placed in two randomized groups. One group took pills in the morning and the other before going to sleep.
For more than five years, scientists monitored these people.
One of the main findings is that patients who took their medications at night had half the risk of dying or suffering a heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
Blood pressure drops naturally during the night, when we are resting.
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Hypertension is controlled by pills.
And if it doesn't happen and stays high, that makes the person more at risk of having a heart attack, experts said.
They added that taking this medication at night helps to control blood pressure while sleeping, especially in patients with hypertension.
And his blood pressure dropped naturally a little more during the night compared to the patients who took their medications every morning.
Hermida said doctors should recommend it to their patients. "It's something free. And maybe it saves a lot of lives," he explained.
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During the night the blood pressure of the human body drops naturally.
"The results of this study show that patients who routinely take their pressure medications at bedtime, unlike when they wake up, have a better controlled blood pressure and, more importantly, a significantly lower risk of death or heart disease and blood vessel problems, "he added.
Several experts, including the researchers themselves, indicated that despite supporting the results, research should be extended to all ethnic groups.
"Although this study supports previous findings in this area, more studies will be needed among other ethnic groups and people who have established patterns to take their pills, to really prove that taking medications at night is more beneficial for cardiovascular health," explained Vanessa Smith of the British Hearth Foundation.
"If a person is taking pressure medications, it is important to talk to their doctor before making any changes to their routine. There may be a reason why your doctor recommended you take your medications in the morning or in the afternoon." he added.
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