Based on data from five trials and nearly 50 000 patients, researchers have found “conclusive evidence” that taking medicine for blood pressure (BP) in the evening is no better than taking it in the morning to protect against heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death – in other words, it’s best to take the meds at a time that suits you.
The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024, which took place from 30 August to 2 September in London, reports The Independent.
Professor Ricky Turgeon from the University of British Columbia in Canada said: “Patients should take their once-daily BP-lowering medications at whatever time best suits their preferences and circumstances.”
About one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure (hypertension), the third biggest risk factor for all disease in the country after smoking and poor diet.
Although a high blood pressure does not cause symptoms, taking medicines can help prevent complications like heart disease, stroke and kidney problems.
But questions remain around the timing of blood pressure medication, with some experts saying people should take their medicine in the evening because night-time blood pressure is a better predictor of heart disease outcomes than daytime blood pressure.
Turgeon said that previous studies looking at the impact of BP medications at night have shown mixed results.
To find out more, the team analysed the data from five trials, comparing night-time and morning administration of all BP-lowering medications.
They found that the timing had no impact on secondary events including fractures, glaucoma and events related to thinking and memory.
Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, who was not involved in the research, said: “Around half of heart attacks and strokes in the UK are associated with high blood pressure.
“We know that effective treatment with blood pressure lowering medication is vital to reduce people’s risk.
“These results reinforce a key message that patients should take their blood pressure tablets at a time when they are most likely to remember. What matters is that they take it every day.
“By bringing together large amounts of data from tens of thousands of trial participants, these important results should now put the question of when is best to take blood pressure medication to bed.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Morning or night for BP meds? It makes no difference, finds Scottish study
Bedtime BP meds may cut heart risk by almost half – large randomised study
21-year study finds evidence for evening hypertensives in diabetics