Stroke prevention and water pills

Water pills and stroke prevention? A recent study shows that water pills seem to provide a quick and cheap answer to stroke prevention.

The study is based on a trial called The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trail (ALLHAT). The 33,000 patients included in the study consisted of people from the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

The trial compared an ACE inhibitor and calcium channel blocker with water pills, also known as diuretics.

The results showed that those taking an ACE inhibitor were more likely to suffer a stroke or heart failure within four to eight years of followup.

The patients who were on the calcium channel blocker also were more likely than the diuretic group to develop heart failure.

Diuretics help remove salt from the body. The pills are about a penny each and readily available since the 1960s. Salt accumulates in your blood vessels. This accumulation makes the vessels more sensitive to narrowing.

As with anything, you do not want cause a great imbalance in your body. The body of an adult is 60-70% water. Your brain consists of approximately 85% water. Your blood is approximately 90% water. Long-term diuretics can cause dehydration, which has serious side effects, including:

  • Cardiac Arrhythmias
  • Constipation
  • Death
  • Dizziness
  • Dry Eyes
  • Electrolyte Imbalance
  • Fluid Retention
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Hypertension
  • Kidney Damage
  • Potassium Deficiency
  • Salt Imbalance


Consult with your doctor before you start any program including over the counter remedies.

If you are at risk for heart attack or stroke due to a family history then you may want to consider a Critical Illness Insurance policy. This type of insurance will pay you once you have been diagnosed and if you live 30 days. Remember, insurance should be used for bad things that can happen that you cannot totally avoid or control. Ask questions and get answers for advice you need about your insurance.

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