Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Calcium channel blockers work by preventing calcium from entering the heart and blood vessel wall cells. This allows the blood vessel walls to relax and expand while the heart beats more slowly, resulting in lower blood pressure. However, calcium blockers can cause weight gain. Although the weight gain is not due to an increase in fat, it can still be dangerous to your health. Adjusting your medication and lifestyle can reduce weight gain.
Adjusting Medication and Lifestyle
Step 1
Eliminate grapefruit from your diet. The enzymes in grapefruit prevent the body from breaking down the calcium blocker, which results in a buildup of the medication in the body. This can cause serious side effects, including more fluid retention.
Step 2
Decrease your intake of sodium. Sodium causes you to retain fluid and increases your blood pressure. Limit foods that are highly processed and that contain a lot of sodium.
Step 3
Make an appointment to meet with your doctor to discuss the weight gain. Ask if you can add a diuretic to your medication, which will flush out excess water.
Step 4
Fill any prescriptions given to you by the doctor. Take each medicine as directed.
Step 5
Make addition changes to your diet by reducing calories and controlling portion sizes. Include each food group into your diet.
Step 6
Increase the amount of physical activity that you do each day. Ask your doctor about starting a new exercise routine.
Tips and Warnings
- The American Heart Association recommends a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy, beans, skinless poultry, lean meat and fatty fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, and herring. The diet should be low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.
- Other side effects of calcium blockers include constipation, headache, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, rash, drowsiness, flushing and nausea. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these effects. Although calcium channel blockers treat the symptoms of heart conditions, they do not fix the disease itself. In order to decrease your dependence on medications, consider improving your diet and doing more exercise to lose weight.
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