Atenolol is a medication classed as a beta blocker. Beta blockers slow the heart rate and increase the strength of the pumping action of the heart. Atenolol is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain called angina, irregular heart rhythms called arrhythmias and may be used for patients with congestive heart failure. Like other medications, beta blockers such as atenolol have the potential to cause serious side effects.
Low Blood Pressure
Billie Ann Wilson, Ph.D., Margaret Shannon, Ph.D., and Kelly Shields Pharm.D., authors of "Pearson Nurse's Drug Guide 2010," discuss common side effects of beta blockers such as atenolol. When atenolol therapy is initiated, you should monitor your blood pressure closely. Orthostatic hypotension, or low blood pressure caused by position changes, is common, especially among the elderly. Orthostatic hypotension causes patients to feel dizzy and weak. You should rise slowly from a reclining or sitting position to give the body time to adjust the blood pressure. You should also measure your blood pressure daily to monitor for effectiveness of the drug. A systolic blood pressure (top number) below 90 and a diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) below 60 should be reported to the prescribing physician, especially if dizziness, weakness, chest pain or shortness of breath is experienced.
Low Heart Rate
The American Heart Association reports that atenolol commonly causes a slow heart rate. Bradycardia, a heart rate below 60, is an expected side effect of atenolol. However, if a patient experiences dizziness, a very low blood pressure, extreme fatigue or a heart rate below 55 beats per minute, the dose of atenolol will need to be adjusted, or the drug stopped completely. Patients are advised to check their heart rate daily by measuring for one full minute. If the heart rate is below 55, atenolol should be stopped and the prescribing physician notified.
Bronchospasm
Atenolol has the potential to cause constriction or narrowing of the airways. Patients with a history of lung disease like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should use extreme caution when taking atenolol. If a patient's lung disease is not well controlled, he may not be able to use a beta blocker like atenolol.
Congestive Heart Failure
Although atenolol may be used for patients with congestive heart failure, it must be used very cautiously. Patients with CHF need to be stable in order to take atenolol. Atenolol can improve the pumping action of the heart by slowing the heart rate, which allows the ventricles to fill with more blood, and by strengthening the force of the heart muscle's contraction. These actions increase the amount of blood that is delivered to the body with every heartbeat. However, in unstable CHF, this increased work load on the heart may aggravate CHF symptoms.
References
- American Heart Association: Blood Pressure Lowering Drugs
- "Pearson Nurse's Drug Guide 2010"; Wilson, B. A., Shannon, T. M., & Shields, K. M.; 2010
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