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Treating High Blood Pressure: Beta Blockers
by Jim Bruce
Beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), and other heart problems. They block the effects of adrenaline at your body's beta receptors. This intern, slows th nerve impulses traveling through the heart. Because of this heart doesn't have to work as hard. This is because it needs less blood and oxygen. As another consequence of the drug, beta blockers also block the impulses that cause an arrhythmia.
There are two main beta receptors within your body. These are beta 1 and beta 2 receptors. Some beta blockers are selective in which receptor they target. This means that they block beta 1 receptors over the beta 2 receptors or vice versa. The beta 1 receptors are responsible for heart rate and the strength of your heartbeat.
The beta 2 receptors are responsible for the function of the smooth muscles, especially in your heart. While you can find beta blockers that work specifically on beta 1 or beta 2 receptors, there are other beta blockers that are non-selective and block both beta 1 and beta 2 receptors.
Tell Your Doctor About The Medicines You're Taking
As your doctor is evaluating you for high blood pressure, there are some things you should talk over with him or her. Tell your doctor if you are on any medications that may interfere with these drugs. Especially those that are used to treat high blood pressure. Other hypertension drugs may increase the effect of beta blockers and lower your blood pressure too low. Beta blockers interact with certain anti-depressants, allergy shots, medicines used to treat diabetes, and drugs used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
When taking beta blockers, you should avoid drinking products that contain caffeine. Also avoid over the counter drugs for coughs and colds that contain antihistamines and antacids that contain aluminum. You also want to avoid alcohol as it decreases the effects of beta blockers.
Disclose Your Medical History
Tell your physician about any allergies you may have. Beta blockers may make the reactions to food allergies and those to dyes worsen. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breast feeding. Any past heart disease or problems with poor circulation in the extremities.
Problems with bradycardia (slow heart beat) or heart block may be a problem when taking beta blockers. Asthma, hay fever, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema may worsen if taking beta blockers. If you are diabetic or have hypoglycemia, beta blockers may hide the symptoms and interfere with treatment. Also be sure to disclose to your doctor whether you have an overactive thyroid, have kidney disease, or liver disease.
The Side Effects Of Beta Blockers
The most common side effects are drowsiness and fatigue, cold hands and feet, dizziness or weakness, and dry mouth, eyes, and skin. Less common side effects include wheezing, short breath, and general trouble with breathing. Having trouble with sleeping or vivid dreams while asleep may also be encountered. Some patients has noticed a slowing of their heartbeat and swelling of their hands and feet.
There are some rare side effects that you should be aware of. These include abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, skin rash, back or joint pain, impotence, depression, memory loss, confusion, or hallucinations.
| Disclaimer: |
The information in this High Blood Pressure section has been taken from a number of sources. It is meant to give you information about certain medicines, but it does not cover all of the possible uses, warnings, side effects, or interactions with other medicines and vitamin or herbal supplements.
This information should not be used as medical advice for individual medical problems. Please talk to your doctor, health professional, and/or your pharmacist for prescription or treatment instructions. |
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