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Are you taking a GLP-1 medication to lower your blood sugar levels or lose weight? These drugs are fantastic at helping people in both areas. That is a primary reason why they have taken the medical world by storm over the past few years! As weight and high blood sugar becomes more and more of an issue, GLP-1s offer a way to combat issues many people struggle with. But you may be wondering: does a GLP-1 affect my blood pressure? If you are curious about what effect these drugs have on your heart, PatientsLikeMe is here with a comprehensive guide. We have broken seven of the most common types of GLP-1s and what the research says on their impact on blood pressure.
Dulaglutide and Blood Pressure
Research shows that dulaglutide has both weight-dependent and weight-independent effects on reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure. Studies also show that a 1.5 mg dose of Trulicity (a commonly prescribed dulaglutide) leads to a consistent decrease in SBP. A higher dose of 4.5 mg causes an even greater reduction, mostly because of the added weight loss. Trulicity is approved for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and obesity. Given this, Trulicity may be a good choice for people worried about their blood pressure! This is especially true for those managing diabetes-related cardiovascular risks.
Exenatide and Blood Pressure
Exenatide has also been connected with modest reductions in systolic blood pressure. A six-month study found that people taking an exenatide saw an average SBP reduction of 2.8 mmHg compared to a placebo and 3.7 mmHg compared to insulin. For context, "normal" blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic. High blood pressure is 130-139 mmHg systolic and 80-89 mmHg diastolic. So a drop of between 3-4 mmHg in SBP is significant./. However, there was no significant effect on diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Byetta is a twice-daily injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. While it has shown some blood pressure-lowering effects, its impact is mild.
Exenatide ER and Blood Pressure
Exenatide ER is the extended-release (ER) version of the same medicine. A large study looked at the long-term cardiovascular effects of Bydureon, the most commonly prescribed exenatide ER. It found that while the drug did not increase cardiovascular risk, it also did not give any significant cardiovascular benefits compared to a placebo. However, another study, called the DURATION-1 study, looked at the effects of Bydureon at four years. Done by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, they found that people given Bydureon saw a 1.6 mmHG drop in SBP, as well as reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Liraglutide and Blood Pressure
There have been quite a few studies looking at the connection between liraglutide and blood pressure. A meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 7,616 patients found that Victoza (liraglutide) reduced SBP by an average of 3.18 mmHg. However, it had no significant effect on DBP. The reduction in SBP was dependent on the dose, with higher doses causing greater decreases. However, the effect was not seen in studies lasting longer than a year. This could suggest the impact is temporary.
Another study on Victoza found that after five weeks of use, patients with hypertension and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes saw a 5.73 mmHg reduction in 24-hour SBP. However, the medication also increased heart rate by about 6–8 beats per minute. If you have high blood pressure and are considering Victoza, it may help lower your SBP. However, you need to consider the potential increase in heart rate. Talk to your doctor before starting the medication.
Lixisenatide and Blood Pressure
Lixisenatide has been shown to slow gastric emptying and reduce blood-sugar spikes after a meal. This could contribute to blood pressure stabilizing. One study found that Adlyxin, a common lixisenatide, actually slowed down decreases in SBP. So while some may see their blood pressure drop after a meal, Adlyxin can keep the levels stabilized. This could make the drug helpful for people who have postprandial hypotension, which is low blood pressure after eating. For people with high blood pressure, Adlyxin's effects appear to be more about stabilization than significant lowering. However, it may be a useful option for those managing both diabetes and changes in blood pressure.
Semaglutide and Blood Pressure
Semaglutides are the most popular form of GLP-1s. They are sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. These drugs have been tied with an average SBP reduction of about 4.95 mmHg in clinical studies. The changes in blood pressure were consistent across different groups, including those with pre-existing hypertension. The study also showed that part of the blood pressure-lowering effect was because of weight loss. Overall, semaglutide is to a good option for people looking to lower both their weight and blood pressure.
Tirzepatide and Blood Pressure
Tirzepatide has been approved treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. The most common examples of this class of drug are Zepbound and Mounjaro. Research suggests that Tirzepatide can lead to some reduction in blood pressure. This is likely because of to the weight loss tied to the medication, as well as its ability to help with insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation. Some clinical trials have shown that patients taking Tirzepatide see decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. After 72 weeks, there was an average of 6.8 mmHG reduction in SBP and a 4.2 mmHG reduction in DBP compared to a placebo. However, how much blood pressure reduces varies person to person. If you have high blood pressure, you should continue to follow your prescribed treatment plans and talk to your doctor before making any changes.
GLP-1 medications can have different effects on blood pressure. Some have shown a mild to moderate reduction in SBP. For people with high blood pressure, certain medications may offer more cardiovascular benefits beyond weight loss. However, some GLP-1 drugs can slightly increase heart rate, which is an important consideration for people with heart concerns. If you are taking or considering a GLP-1 medication and are worried about your blood pressure, talk to your doctor to find the safest and most effective option for your needs.
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