High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It is a serious condition that can put your health at risk if left untreated as it can damage your heart, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Hypertension is typically treated with medication to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications.

However, there has been some concern about whether certain hypertension drugs may be associated with an increased risk of cancer.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the research and explore whether there’s any evidence to support this claim.

Understanding Hypertension

Hypertension is defined as having blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg or higher.

The condition is often called the “silent killer” because there are usually no symptoms until the blood pressure is dangerously high and has caused damage to the body.

There are two types of hypertension:.

Primary Hypertension

This is the most common type of hypertension and develops gradually over many years. It’s also known as essential hypertension and has no identifiable cause.

Secondary Hypertension

This type of hypertension is caused by an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, or hormonal disorders. It typically appears suddenly and causes higher blood pressure readings than primary hypertension.

Treating Hypertension

The main goal of hypertension treatment is to lower blood pressure to a safe level to reduce the risk of complications. This is usually achieved through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, such as:.

Reducing salt intake
Losing weight
Exercising regularly
Limiting alcohol consumption
Quitting smoking

There are several different classes of drugs used to treat hypertension. These include:.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors block the production of a hormone called angiotensin II, which narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure. By blocking this hormone, ACE inhibitors help blood vessels relax and widen, and the blood pressure decreases.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

ARBs block the effects of angiotensin II to help blood vessels relax and widen, and blood pressure decreases.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

CCBs work by relaxing the muscles in the walls of your blood vessels, allowing the vessels to widen and blood to flow more easily, resulting in lower blood pressure.

Beta Blockers

Beta-blockers lower blood pressure by blocking the effects of the hormone adrenaline, which helps to reduce heart rate and blood vessel contraction.

Diuretics

Diuretics, also known as water pills, help the kidneys remove excess water and salt from the body. This reduces the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure.

Is There a Link Between Hypertension Drugs and Cancer?

There have been concerns over the link between hypertension medication and cancer for many years. Some studies have suggested that certain types of drugs used to treat hypertension may increase the risk of cancer.

The concerns started with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). In 2010, a study linked the use of ARBs to an increased risk of cancer. However, subsequent studies failed to find a definitive link between ARBs and cancer.

In fact, a large-scale study published in 2011 found that ARBs do not increase the risk of cancer.

Beta-blockers have also been implicated in cancer risk. A large study published in 2012 found that beta-blockers may increase the risk of skin cancer.

However, subsequent studies have failed to confirm this link, and other studies have even suggested that beta-blockers may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

A 2016 study suggested that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may increase the risk of breast cancer.

The study found that women who had taken CCBs for more than 10 years had a 2.5 times higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who had never taken the medication. However, the study was criticized for its methodology, and subsequent studies have failed to find a link between CCBs and cancer.

Overall, the evidence does not suggest that hypertension drugs increase the risk of cancer. In fact, some studies have even suggested that some hypertension drugs may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Conclusion

There is no evidence to support the claim that hypertension medication increases the risk of cancer.

While some studies have suggested a link between certain types of hypertension drugs and cancer, subsequent studies have failed to confirm these findings. Hypertension medication remains an important tool in the management of high blood pressure and the reduction of the risk of related complications.