Antihypertensive medications and anemia

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2007 Sep;9(9):723-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2007.06296.x.

Abstract

Antihypertensive medication use can be associated with a reduction in hemoglobin concentration. The magnitude of such a change is generally small, but in certain instances it can be extreme enough to produce a clinically significant degree of anemia. The mechanistic basis for antihypertensive medication-related changes in hemoglobin concentration include hemodilution, hemolytic anemia, and suppression of red blood cell production, as this occurs most commonly with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. A reduction in hemoglobin concentration in a patient who is receiving treatment for hypertension and does not have an obvious source of blood loss should account for potential antihypertensive therapy involvement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / chemically induced*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Hemoglobins / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Hemoglobins