29 June 2006

The new UK guidelines to blood pressure medicines and what they mean for you

The new UK guidelines to blood pressure medicines and what they mean for you


If you have high blood pressure and are taking medicines to treat your condition, then this information sheet is for you. It contains information about the latest UK guidelines for treating high blood pressure and how this may affect you.


KEY POINTS

UK guidelines published in June 2006 have given new advice on which medicines should be used to treat high blood pressure.

One group of older medicines, beta-blockers, which have previously been used as a first choice of treatment for high blood pressure is no longer to be routinely used, except in a few special situations.

Taking newer medicines to treat high blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of having a stroke when compared with beta-blockers. They are also less likely to cause diabetes when compared with beta-blockers.

Your doctor may change your treatment if you are currently taking a betablocker.

Do not stop taking your medications suddenly or without consulting your doctor or nurse.


These new guidelines are a collaboration between the two UK organisations that publish guidelines on high blood pressure. This means that there is now one very clear pathway for health professionals and their patients to follow when choosing medicines.

Guidelines to follow.....view pdf