METHOTREXATE, a drug often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, has been found to reduce blood pressure in patients newly diagnosed with the condition, according to a new study from Flinders University.
Conducted in over 60 people, the study found that the drug significantly lowers blood pressure when compared to another arthritis drug, sulfasalazine, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
Researchers measured the blood pressure, joint inflammation, and stiffness in the arteries at the beginning of the study, then again after one and six months.
"We found that methotrexate lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 7.4 mmHg compared with people taking sulfasalazine," said lead author clinical pharmacologist Professor Arduino Mangoni from Flinders University.
"This kind of reduction is considered meaningful because even a small drop in blood pressure can lower the risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes."
The benefit did not seem to be linked to changes in either arthritis symptoms or the stiffness of arteries, suggesting that it might help the heart in other ways, such as calming inflammation or improving how blood vessels work.
Professor Arduino said the findings are "exciting, because they show methotrexate might do more than just treat rheumatoid arthritis".
Read the paper HERE.
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