A large Swedish study published in the JAMA Network Open journal, this research suggests that commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs – particularly thiazide diuretics – may raise the risk of hyponatremia, a potentially dangerous drop in blood sodium levels. This condition can lead to symptoms such as confusion, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.
The researchers followed more than 159,000 adults starting treatment with either thiazides or calcium channel blockers and tracked the development of low sodium levels over several years. Their findings showed that risk varies sharply by age and sex. Older women – especially those aged over 80 – were significantly more vulnerable. Around 3 percent of older women taking thiazides developed hyponatremia. The Number Needed to Harm (NNH) was 53 in this group, indicating the side effect is relatively common. Men of the same age were much less affected, suggesting a strong sex-specific risk profile.
To check out Dr. Rath’s Cellular Health recommendations for high blood pressure, see this page on our website.
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April 10, 2026Popular Blood Pressure Drugs May Trigger Dangerous Seizure-Causing Condition in Older Adults and Women
News
Blood pressure medications taken by millions of people may increase the risk of a dangerous drop in blood sodium, new research suggests.
[Source: dailymail.co.uk]
[Image source: freepik.com]
Comment
A large Swedish study published in the JAMA Network Open journal, this research suggests that commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs – particularly thiazide diuretics – may raise the risk of hyponatremia, a potentially dangerous drop in blood sodium levels. This condition can lead to symptoms such as confusion, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.
The researchers followed more than 159,000 adults starting treatment with either thiazides or calcium channel blockers and tracked the development of low sodium levels over several years. Their findings showed that risk varies sharply by age and sex. Older women – especially those aged over 80 – were significantly more vulnerable. Around 3 percent of older women taking thiazides developed hyponatremia. The Number Needed to Harm (NNH) was 53 in this group, indicating the side effect is relatively common. Men of the same age were much less affected, suggesting a strong sex-specific risk profile.
To check out Dr. Rath’s Cellular Health recommendations for high blood pressure, see this page on our website.
Dr. Rath Health Foundation
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