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The Hidden Challenge Behind High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. While treatment is widely available, many people struggle to find a medication that works without uncomfortable side effects.
Dizziness, fatigue, headaches, swelling, and sexual dysfunction are all common reasons patients stop taking blood pressure medications. Unfortunately, stopping treatment without a plan increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
The truth is that not all medications work equally well for all patients. At BloomDNA®, we help uncover how your DNA could be influencing your response to blood pressure drugs and why some prescriptions may be doing more harm than good.
Not All Hypertension Medications Are Created Equal
Blood pressure can be controlled using several classes of medications, including:
- ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and enalapril
- Beta-blockers like metoprolol and atenolol
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine
- Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) including losartan and valsartan
- Each class affects your body differently. And within each class, your genetic makeup may determine how well the medication works, how it’s metabolized, and whether side effects occur.
The Role of Pharmacogenetics in Heart Medication
Pharmacogenetics (PGx) looks at how your body processes and responds to medications based on your genetic profile. In the case of hypertension, key genes like CYP2D6, CYP3A5, and SLCO1B1 can significantly influence:
- How quickly your body clears a medication
- Whether the drug reaches its target tissue
- How likely you are to experience unwanted side effects
For example, some patients with variations in CYP2D6 may not properly process beta-blockers. Others with certain variants in CYP3A5 may need higher or lower doses of calcium channel blockers to achieve the same result as someone else.
Real-World Example: A Safer, Smarter Approach
Maria, a 55-year-old woman recently diagnosed with hypertension, was prescribed a beta-blocker. Within two weeks, she began experiencing severe fatigue and cold hands. A follow-up test showed her blood pressure had dropped too low despite a standard dose.
Her provider ordered a BloomDNA® test. The report revealed that Maria was a poor metabolizer of beta-blockers due to a CYP2D6 variant. This meant the medication stayed in her system longer than expected, amplifying its effects.
With this information, her provider switched her to an ARB, adjusted the dose, and monitored her progress. Within a month, her symptoms resolved and her blood pressure remained stable.
What BloomDNA® Delivers for Hypertension Care
Every BloomDNA® test is processed in a U.S.-based certified lab and includes:
- Pharmacogenetic insights for over 300 medications
- Specific guidance for common cardiovascular drugs
- Provider-ready reports for clinical use
- A lifelong reference for future treatment decisions
- The test is simple, noninvasive, and only needs to be done once.
A Smarter Start for Your Heart
If you’ve ever wondered why your blood pressure medication doesn’t seem to help or seems to make things worse, your DNA may be the missing piece. BloomDNA® helps remove the guesswork and supports safer, more effective decisions for long-term heart health.
Learn how BloomDNA® can help your provider choose safer, more effective heart medications.