Managing blood pressure may change breast cancer outlook

A new Kaiser Permanente study suggests that managing high blood pressure may help women with advanced breast cancer live longer.

The study found that women who took more than one type of blood pressure drug were much less likely to die than those taking just one type.

Using more than one medication type to target different biological pathways for high blood pressure was linked to a 38% lower risk of dying.

“Many women with advanced breast cancer also have other health issues,” said lead author Reina Haque, PhD, of the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation in Southern California. “These issues may not always get enough attention. Our study shows that treating problems like high blood pressure may help women live longer — especially women of color, who often have worse cancer outcomes.”

What researchers wanted to learn

The study looked at whether treating high blood pressure more effectively could improve survival for women with advanced, or metastatic, breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

The study followed 1,332 adult women treated for metastatic breast cancer in Southern California from 2008 to 2020.

• The women came from different backgrounds, and nearly half were people of color.
• Almost half already had high blood pressure when they were diagnosed with cancer.

Researchers used health and pharmacy records to compare women who took only one type of blood pressure medication with those who took more than one. They looked at who had a lower risk of death and whether the women’s blood pressure stayed within a healthy range.

The researchers also took into account factors such as age, cancer treatment, other health conditions, and how often the women saw their doctors.

Why the findings matter

Women who took more than one blood pressure medication had a much lower risk of dying than those who took only one. High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other problems.

The benefit was even greater for women who took their medications regularly. In this group, the risk of death was reduced by more than half. The effect was strongest among Black women and Latinas.

The findings show that treating other health problems, like high blood pressure, is an important part of caring for women with advanced breast cancer.

“The research highlights the need for doctors in cancer, heart, and primary care areas to work together,” Dr. Haque said. “Doctors should make sure to treat high blood pressure as part of cancer care, not just focus on the cancer itself.”