
The results of recent research.
A new study is of great concern, it found that long-term use of drugs to treat high blood pressure and heart failure can contribute to kidney damage.
One billion people worldwide suffer from chronic high blood pressure. The researchers wanted to better understand why severe forms of the
disease are often accompanied by thickening of the arteries and small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to organ damage.
New study on high blood pressure drugs
They found that specialized kidney cells called renin cells play an important role in this. They normally produce renin, a vital hormone that helps the body regulate blood pressure.
But harmful changes in these cells can cause them to invade the walls of blood vessels in the kidneys. This causes thickening and a decrease in the elasticity of the vessels. Result: Blood cannot flow through the kidneys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidney as it should.
Which drugs cause kidney problems
Researchers have found that ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers have this side effect. They are widely used for many purposes, including treating high blood pressure, heart failure, and heart attacks, as well as preventing serious heart problems.
The researchers note that these drugs can be life-saving for patients, so they note the importance of continuing to take them and more research to better understand the long-term effects of drugs on the kidneys and the extent of damage.