Report suggests that blood pressure-lowering drugs may affect the gut 

New York: Blood pressure-lowering drugs such as calcium channel blockers can cause a certain intestinal disease called diverticulosis. 

Diverticulosis is a disease that causes small bulging pouches (diverticula) to form in the lining of the digestive tract. The disease particularly affects older people. In some cases, diverticulosis can cause these pouches to rupture, creating an emergency situation. 

Dr. Dipender Gill,  lead author of the study, said this is the first time that the effects of a specific blood pressure medication have been linked to diverticulosis.  The study was conducted by a team of scientists led by Imperial College London and looked at the effectiveness and side effects of three common blood pressure medications: beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. 

It's worth noting that high blood pressure affects one in ten adults worldwide, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The simplest treatment for high blood pressure is to change your lifestyle.