Generic blood pressure drugs are just as good as newer, more expensive ones, according to new data out of the study known as the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT).

When researchers followed up with ALLHAT participants taking one of three classes of blood pressure drugs for an average of 8.8 years, they found that a generic diuretic (chlorthalidone) was just as effective at lowering blood pressure and preventing heart attack and stroke as a name-brand calcium channel blocker (Norvascor) or ACE inhibitor (Prinivil, Zestril).

Researchers from Loyola University Health System recently confirmed that, in the long term, older diuretics are the same, if not better, at preventing cardiovascular disease.

Diuretics are sometimes called water pills. They help kidneys to remove sodium and water from the body, relaxing the blood vessel walls. Participants were randomly assigned to take a diuretic, the calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, or the ACE inhibitor, lisinopril.

People taking the diuretic had a lower stroke risk than those taking the ACE inhibitor; and a lower risk of hospitalization or dying from heart failure than those taking the calcium channel blocker. Diuretics are generally cheaper than newer drugs which can cost several hundred dollars a year. But diuretics account for only about 30 percent of hypertension prescriptions written today.

I have seen reports suggesting this Amo, very interesting and quite frightening to think that financial gain might be put ahead of actual health benefit!

Another thing that I read lately said that if you have high blood pressure a low carbohydrate diet could be a better way to control it than drugs. I know that sounds like old news but I had not realised that if you dropped your wight enough you could actually come off medication!

In a study of 146 people who were hypertensive and were also overweight, nearly half of them were able to stop or markedly decrease their blood pressure medication after going on a low-carb diet.

It seems that their systolic blood pressure dropped dramatically. In comparison, only 21 per cent of those who were taking the weight-loss drug orlistat reported a similar drop in blood pressure. Interesting don't you think?!

Its informative post gives a lots of information on it also can you provide more information related to topic.

I notice that in an earlier post Amanda had said that it was frightening to think that money might be put before health but I think that it might be a common trend unfortunately. I have been reading some work that has really lifted the lid on what the drug companies do and how the food manufacturers operate I will let you know how to read it soon.