Commonly-prescribed blood-pressure drug may combat PTSD

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A commonly-prescribed blood-pressure drug may help treat PTSD, research suggests. 

A study found the hypertension drug losartan - often known by its brand name Cozaar - helps people sweat less when faced with a fear.

Losartan blocks the hormone angiotensin, which causes blood vessels to become narrower and may also be involved in the body's 'fight or flight' response when stressed.

Although early days, the researchers are optimistic losartan could ease PTSD symptoms when combined with standard-of-care therapy.

But losartan sparked controversy last month when US regulators revealed it was among a host of blood-pressure drugs that may have been contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals.

The research was carried out by the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and led by Dr Benjamin Becker, from the key laboratory for neuroinformation.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Sufferers may relive the trauma via nightmares or flashbacks.

Its prevalence among the British public is unclear, however, statistics from the Ministry of Defence reveal 307 UK Armed Defence personnel had an initial assessment for the condition in 2016/17.

And around 44.7million Americans have, or have had, post-traumatic stress disorder, according to PTSD United.  

A study released a few years ago revealed people who have experienced severe trauma are less at risk of PTSD if they happen to be taking a blood-pressure drug that blocks angiotensin. 

High blood pressure affects one in four adults in the UK and US, and rarely causes symptoms.