High blood pressure lung cancer due to ACE inhibitors - Should one change the medication?

Professional society provides information about high blood pressure medicines

Recently, a British study showed that ACE inhibitors against hypertension might be associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. However, as there were some discrepancies in the study, experts from the German Society of Cardiology published a statement shortly thereafter, in which they advise to consider the results with caution. Nevertheless, many cardiac patients remain insecure. The German Society of Cardiology - Cardiovascular Research (DGN) explains the right way to deal with it.

Millions of heart disease patients in Germany benefit from medicines containing ACE inhibitors. According to the DGN-heart expert Professor Dr. med. Ulrich Laufs treat about 45 percent of high blood pressure patients with ACE inhibitors. In heart failure and after a heart attack, almost all patients receive the drug. "The fact that this therapy has a life-prolonging effect and improves symptoms has been confirmed by numerous studies," explains Laufs in a press release. The risk of death can be reduced by 25 to 30 percent by taking ACE inhibitors.

Specialists of the German Society of Cardiology advise against replacing ACE inhibitors for the time being with other medicines. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

ACE inhibitors cause lung cancer?

The DGN experts summarize the facts of the study: ACE inhibitors can lead to lung cancer, British scientists recently found in a study. Researchers found that patients receiving ACE inhibitors were 14 percent more likely to develop bronchial carcinoma than those taking AT1 antagonists and six percent more likely to have risk with other antihypertensive agents were supplied without ACE inhibitor.

What is the DGN assessment for this study?

"A very significant weakness of the study is that various influencing factors could not be taken into account because no information was available," explains DGN pharmacologist Professor Dr. med. Ulrich Kintscher. Since many factors come together in the development of bronchial carcinoma, the control of influencing factors is particularly important in such studies. This control did not take place according to the DGN experts. It is merely an observational study, which, while recognizing possible connections, can not make any statement about cause and effect.

Many factors went unnoticed

"Not included in the study were, for example, the socioeconomic status, the nutritional habits of the patients and the family history of lung cancer," emphasizes Kintscher. Also, the duration and intensity of smoking by the smoking participants had not been taken into account - a key risk factor for lung cancer and high blood pressure. Nevertheless, one must take the study results seriously and consider a possible context.

Weigh the benefits and risks

"However, there is always a need to carefully weigh the benefits of patient therapy and the risks involved," suggest the DGN experts. Professors Laufs and Kintscher both conclude that initially there is no reason to replace ACE inhibitors with other medications if they are well tolerated by those affected.

Irregular intake carries greater risks

"Much more worries should be prepared by the often too low scheduled dosage of drugs by the doctors and the often lack of patient loyalty," Laufs points to concerns. According to the experts, one should never come up with the idea to sell the drugs on their own.

For whom is a medication change into consideration??

"In certain patients, for example, with an increased risk of or existing lung cancer, the replacement of the ACE inhibitor may be considered," recommends Kintscher. Anyone who feels strongly confused by the study should speak openly with their doctor about the concerns in order to find a possible solution, according to the Council of the Society. (Vb)