Hydrochlorothiazide and heartbeat irregularities
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 17 2009
Q: What causes hydrochlorothiazide to sometimes cause heartbeat irregularities or a rapid pulse rate? I stopped that medicine because it scared me.
A: Thiazide diuretics can lower the amount of the chemical potassium in your body. This can lead to an irregular heartbeat. For this reason, many people on hydrochlorothiazide, or similar drugs, are advised to eat a banana every day or take a potassium supplement. You should let your doctor know you are having problems.
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Mar 31, 2009 - 05:03:16Besides irregular heart beat, it caused me to get gout. When I stopped the medicine both side effects were gone in five days.
I agree with Jack. I had terrible, crippling, bouts of gout as a result of BP medications. Instead of getting down to the cause of a patient’s elevated BP, it is far easier for our doctors to write a prescription - and they do that based on assertions by a pharmaceutical rep quoting studies on rats paid for by the pharmaceutical company selling the medication.
Great business! Pity about the health of the patients!