Diuretic medications reduce the amount of water and salt in your body. You can find them over-the-counter, or your physician may prescribe diuretics to treat high blood pressure, edema from fluid accumulation or heart conditions. Use of diuretics may cause side effects, including heart palpitations. Before taking non-prescription diuretics, consult your physician about their safety.
Prescription Diuretics
The three main types of diuretics include thiazides, loop diuretics and potassium-sparing diuretics. They are categorized based on the area of the kidney affected, but each type reduces the amount of salt and water in your body and decreases the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels. According to the Mayo Clinic, thiazides are the first choice to treat high blood pressure and heart complications. The other diuretics are generally used to treat other medical problems including edema, or tissue swelling, kidney disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome. Thiazides and loop diuretics are most commonly associated with heart palpitations as side effects, but if you consume too much potassium while taking potassium-sparing diuretics, an irregular heartbeat may also occur.
OTC Diuretics
Over-the-counter weight loss or premenstrual aids may contain diuretics to help relieve water retention. The diuretics in OTC aids generally come from xanthine alkaloids, or caffeine and theobromine, notes the Cleveland Clinic. These are considered safe when exact dosing is followed. However, if you are already taking medications containing diuretics or medications for your heart, side effects may occur. Although abuse of prescription diuretics is more dangerous, chronic abuse of OTC diuretics can result in serious damage to your kidneys and heart complications from loss of electrolytes, the nerve and muscle regulators that balance fluids in your body.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations occur when your heart feels as if it is fluttering, beating too hard or too fast. They normally occur when you engage in physical activity, consume stimulating substances like caffeine or when you experience anxiety. Palpitations generally subside when the trigger ceases. Palpitations may also present as a side effect of certain medications. However, palpitations can be a symptom of an underlying abnormality in your heartbeat, or arrythmia. The prescription diuretics furosemide and chlorothiazide are associated with causing heart palpitations or arrhythmia because of too much potassium excretion from your body. Consult your physician if you experience persistent palpitations when taking diuretics.
When To Seek Medical Care
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute notes that most palpitations are harmless, but if they become bothersome, seek medical care. If you experience palpitations plus any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care: Dizziness or confusion, feeling faint, trouble breathing, sweating abnormally or having pain and pressure in your chest, arm or jaw. These symptoms may or may not be related to your use of diuretics, but they can indicate heart complications.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Palpitations
- MayoClinic.com; Diuretics; Mayo Clinic Staff; December 16, 2010
- UNC Kidney Center: Diuretics (Water Pills)
- Cleveland Clinic: Over-the-Counter and Herbal Remedies for Weight Loss
- Drugs.com: Chlorothiazide
- Eating Disorders; The Parent's Guide to Eating Disorders; Fluid Imbalances; Marcia Herrin EdD et al
