Beta blockers are drugs used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart problems. Some foods and beverages can interfere with these drugs. Other foods and drinks can raise blood pressure. Additionally, people with conditions treated by beta blockers should follow a heart-healthy diet and control their weight, according to cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director of the NYU Women's Heart Program. Beta blockers and diet together can help improve heart health.
Identification
The American Heart Association, or AHA, states that beta blockers work by decreasing the heart rate and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenalin. The AHA indicates beta blockers are also used with therapy for cardiac arrhythmias and for treating a heart condition called angina pectoris. A number of beta blockers are available for doctors to prescribe to patients with high blood pressure or other heart problems. According to the AHA, commonly prescribed beta blockers include Tenormin, Lopressor, Inderal, Sectral and Ziac.
Recommended Diets
If you are taking beta blockers, your doctor may recommend that you follow the heart-healthy diet recommended by the AHA. This diet is high in fruits and vegetables and low in foods with saturated fats, such as red meats and full-fat dairy products, according to Dr. Goldberg, who adds that trans fats should also be avoided. The DASH diet is another eating plan that may be recommended for people with high blood pressure, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, or the NHLBI. The DASH diet, short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts and other heart-healthy foods.
Foods to Avoid
It's important for people taking beta blockers to avoid salty foods. Too much salt can raise blood pressure and worsen heart problems, Goldberg notes. The NHLBI says you should consume no more than one teaspoon of salt per day. Red meats should be limited on a heart-healthy diet. But if you eat meat, don't take your beta blocker right afterwards. Meat can increase the potency of beta blockers, which could result in dangerously low blood pressure and dizziness, according to Goldberg.
Drinks to Avoid
Steer clear of coffee and other caffeinated drinks if you take beta blockers. "Caffeine speeds up the heart rate and raises blood pressure, which is the last thing you want when you're on beta blockers," Goldberg says. If you can't survive without your morning java, limit yourself to one cup. Better yet, switch to decaffeinated. As with most medications, alcohol should be avoided when taking beta blockers due to the risk of drug interaction. Another reason to limit alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure in some people, according to the AHA.
Weight Issues
The AHA points out that many people who take beta blockers for high blood pressure are overweight. If you're overweight, the AHA recommends cutting calories and increasing physical activity to shed pounds. "Losing weight will help lower your blood pressure," Goldberg explains. Some beta blockers can cause weight gain. If you notice your weight going up or find it difficult to lose weight despite a low-calorie diet and exercise, talk to your doctor about switching to a different beta blocker. Not all beta blockers have this side effect, Goldberg says.
Tips
Prepare home-cooked meals to reduce your sodium intake. "Frozen meals and fast foods are loaded with salt," Goldberg says. Use fresh ingredients and season with spices instead of salt. Also look for recipes that include potassium-rich foods. This essential mineral lowers blood pressure, according to registered dietician Sari Greaves, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Bananas are especially rich in potassium. Other good sources of potassium include potatoes, spinach, zucchini and oranges, Greaves says.
References
- American Heart Association: Arrthythmia Medications
- American Heart Association: High Blood Pressure - What Can Be Done
- American Heart Lung and Blood Institute: High Blood Pressure
- Nieca Goldberg, MD, cardiologist; medical director of NYU Women's Heart Program
- Sari Greaves, registered dietician in Bedminster, New Jersey; American Dietetic Association spokesperson
