Anti-hypertensive drugs are essential to prevent stroke, heart disease and heart attack through the management of blood pressure. There are warnings, however, that should be noted. Newly prescribed medicines require close monitoring for side effects. Individuals taking blood pressure medications can avoid known dangers through education and open discussion with their physician or pharmacist.
Postural Hypotension
Blood pressure medicine can cause postural hypotension, one of the foremost dangers of these kind of drugs. Postural hypotension refers to low blood pressure that occurs with changes in position. It is important to move slowly from lying to sitting and then to standing when you are taking anti-hypertensive medications. Getting up in the middle of the night can be especially risky for some people. Blood pressure medication warnings always include a note of caution when changing position and can be found on the counseling handout offered by the pharmacy.
Ace-inhibitor Reaction
One of the dangers of blood pressure medicines includes allergic reaction. Commonly prescribed ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors can cause severe allergy. Symptoms include swelling around the eyes and lips, difficulty swallowing, and trouble breathing. Generalized swelling known as angioedema can occur. Examples of ACE inhibitors include benazapril, lisinopril, quinapril and rampiril. It is important to note that allergic reaction can occur even after long-term use.
Hyperkalemia
Another danger associated with blood pressure medicines is high levels of potassium. Hyperkalemia is another word for high potassium levels in the blood. Elders and patients with diabetes or known kidney disease are especially vulnerable when taking potassium sparing blood pressure medicines---the type that hold onto potassium in the body. Examples include amiloride hydrochloride, lisinopril and spironolactone. Symptoms of high potassium are usually absent, making it important for patients taking potassium sparing blood pressure medicines to have regular blood tests. When symptoms do occur, hyperkalemia can cause nausea and irregular, slow or absent pulse.
Hypokalemia
A lower than normal potassium level in the body is known as hypokalemia. Diuretics (fluid pills) are commonly used to treat blood pressure. They work by decreasing fluid volume that in turn lowers pressure inside the blood vessels. One of the dangers of blood pressure medicines that decreases fluid volume is that they also can reduce the amount of potassium in the blood. Examples include furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), and bumetanide (Bumex). Symptoms of hypokalemia include leg cramps and fatigue.
Volume Depletion
Patients who take fluid pills for blood pressure and who experience sudden illness are at risk for fluid volume depletion (dehydration) that can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. Viruses or illnesses that cause vomiting or diarrhea may mean blood pressure medicine should be temporarily discontinued under a physician's guidance until symptoms are resolved.
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