J Am Heart Assoc

PPIs linked to hypertension risk in menopausal women

July 2, 2025

Study details: This large-scale prospective cohort study analyzed data from 64,720 menopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (1993–1998), all free of cardiovascular disease and hypertension at baseline. Researchers assessed baseline PPI use and duration, tracking incident hypertension over a mean follow-up of 8.7 years. Hypertension was defined by physician diagnosis or treatment, reported annually.

Results: PPI use was associated with a 17% increased risk of developing hypertension compared with non-use (hazard ratio [HR] 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.27). Risk rose with longer PPI use: <1 year (HR 1.13), 1–3 years (HR 1.17), and >3 years (HR 1.28), with a significant trend (P < 0.001). New PPI users experienced a significant 3.39 mm Hg increase in systolic BP over three years compared with never users (P = 0.049).

Clinical impact: PPI use, particularly with longer duration, may contribute to the development of hypertension in menopausal women. Weigh the benefits of long-term PPI therapy against possible hypertension risk, especially in patients without clear indications for chronic use.

Source:

Soliman AI, et al. (2025, June 27). J Am Heart Assoc. Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Incident Hypertension in Menopausal Women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40576032/