DEADLY Side Effect Linked to Blood Pressure Drugs

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted November 2, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

If you’re on a blood pressure med you’re likely no stranger to side effects.

Like all drugs hypertension meds come with a list of potential unintended consequences. But ACE Inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) can have some of the most troubling.

Patients report headaches, dry coughing, and a loss of taste. Even worse, ACE Inhibitors have been linked to fatigue and dizziness.

But emerging research has uncovered the most dangerous side effect yet.

In some folks these common blood pressure meds could trigger a DEADLY condition,

Infections kill. That’s reality.

Not in every case, of course (thank goodness!). But there’s no arguing that they CAN be deadly. And the last place you want an infection is anywhere near your heart.

But that’s exactly what a small but disturbing study found ACE Inhibitors might drive up your risk for.

The study published in Science Translational Medicine found that ACE inhibitors may suppress your immune system’s ability to battle dangerous bacteria.

ACE inhibitors work by converting a hormone called angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II’s job is to constrict blood vessels.

So when ACE inhibitors block the production of angiotensin I, they’re lowering your blood pressure by allowing your veins and arteries to relax.

But now scientists say that process could also unleash a dangerous side effect.

The researchers divided mice into two groups. One was given ACE inhibitors and the other received no treatment. Then both groups of rodents were exposed to Staphylococcus aureus the bacteria that cause staph infections.

And what happened was incredibly disturbing.

The mice given ACE inhibitors were significantly more likely to develop a dangerous bacterial heart tissue infection than the mice not on the blood pressure meds.

Now you may be thinking, “Okay that’s not good, but it’s mice not men.”

But while findings in mice DO often translate well into people the researchers didn’t stop there.

The team took blood samples from seven human volunteers on ACE inhibitors. And incredibly they found that all of them ALSO had a lowered immune response to Staphyloccocus aureus, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The reason why is that ACE inhibitors could be affecting more than just blood pressure. These drugs appear to block neutrophils as well, keeping them from fighting bacteria.

So, what should you do?

First, you should NEVER stop taking ACE inhibitors (or ANY meds) without working directly with your doctor. There are serious health consequences to suddenly stopping any blood pressure medication.

Under your doctor’s guidance, slowly taper off of ACE inhibitors. Then, you can try to lower your blood pressure naturally if possible. Adding in some daily exercise, dropping ultra-processed foods (and likely a few pounds at the same time), and taking supportive supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10 supplements.

And to bolster your immune system, consider taking 500 to 1000mg of vitamin C daily.

P.S. Need a bit more help bringing down your blood pressure? Researchers say this delicious treat can effortlessly help reduce blood pressure.

Source:

“An ACE inhibitor reduces bactericidal activity of human neutrophils in vitro and impairs mouse neutrophil activity in vivo,” SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, 27 Jul 2021, Vol 13, Issue 604, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj2138

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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