Beta blockers effect on heart rate
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 15 2009
Q: I am on atenolol since 2006. I weighed 108 but now I weigh 138. When I tried to exercise I noticed I cannot get my heart rate up no matter what. Is that because of the slowing of the heart from beta blockers? How can I get past that?
A: Your beta blocker is preventing your heart rate from increasing. Exercising too hard in an attempt to get your heart rate up could be dangerous. Instead of focusing on your heart rate, pay attention to how much effort you feel you are exerting when you exercise. If you are wiped out after you exercise, you would be wise to cut back.
Tags: Atenolol, beta blocker, beta blockers, Diet & Exercise, exercise, heart rate, Taking BP MedsImportance of lifestyle changes
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jun 22 2009
Q: I have high blood pressure and am drug resistant, taking HCTZ, Triamtrin, Dyazide, Atenolol, Clonidine, Verapamil, Lisinopril, and I have ordered the Resperate. Any other suggestions?
A: Don’t forget about lifestyle. What you eat and how much you exercise play a big role in blood pressure control. There are very few people who wouldn’t benefit from losing a few pounds and being a little more active.
Tags: Atenolol, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure control, Clonidine, Diet & Exercise, dyazide, high blood pressure, lifestyle changes, Lisinopril, RESPeRATETekturna, diuretics and age
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 10 2009
Q: I have been having trouble controlling my blood pressure. I was on zetia, atenolol, and cozaar. Recently, the doctor stopped the cozaar and put me on alivide, 300/12.5 mg, which includes a diuretic and took me off the cozaar. At that time he also added HCTZ, 25. mg. As I continued to have problems, I asked him to consider a different medication. Instead, he put me on yet another diuretic, Tekturna, 150 mg. Isn’t this excessive use of diuretics, especially considering that I am 82 years of age?
A: Tekturna by itself is not a diuretic. It is a renin inhibitor. When combined with a diuretic it is called Tekturna HCT. While it is more convenient to combine drugs so only one pill needs to be taken, this option can be more expensive. Taking a diuretic with plain Tekturna is acceptable treatment. I suggest you express your concerns to your doctor. Age is not a contraindication to treating high blood pressure.
Tags: Atenolol, contraindication, cozaar, diuretic, diuretics, high blood pressure, renin inhibitor, Taking BP Meds, Tekturna, tekturna hct, ZetiaSensitivites to BP meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 23 2009
Q: What combination of BP meds do you recommend for African-American women who are sensitive to BP meds, yet do not respond well to them? I had to stop Lisinopril because it made me cough, BP remained hign on HCTZ and Atenolol, Norvasc worked for a short time, also have pitting edema from my calves to my ankles.
A: Your drug sensitivities make you more difficult to treat. If you are not already seeing a physician who specializes in the treatment of high blood pressure, you should ask your doctor for a referral. Another consideration to help you obtain better control would be use of the RESPeRATE. It has no side effects and does not interact with any blood pressure drugs.
Tags: african american women, Atenolol, blood pressure drugs, hctz, Lisinopril, Norvasc, pitting edema, RESPeRATE, Taking BP Meds, treatment of high blood pressureAfternoon BP spike taking meds
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 10 2009
Q: Why does my BP spike every day around 4 p.m.? It stays very elevated for around an hour, then gradually goes down in the evening. I am on Atenolol, Hydrochlorot, and just started Enalapril this week.
A: Blood pressure is not constant. It varies throughout the day. Also you are on several blood pressure medications. Depending upon their strength and when you take them, they will have different peak effects on your blood pressure at various times throughout the day. I assume your doctor started the Enalapril (Vasotec) to get you in better control. You should discuss the best time to take your medications with your doctor. Make sure you mention the afternoon spike.
Tags: Atenolol, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure medications, enalapril, hydrochlorot, Taking BP Meds, vasotecIs there a non-prescription replacement for Atenolol?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 18 2008
Q: Is there a non-prescription medicine that would replace Atenolol?
A: I am not aware of any non-prescription beta-blockers that would be the equivalent of Atenolol. A non-prescription therapy proven to lower blood pressure is the RESPeRATE. Keep in mind; it is not advisable to stop taking medication without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
Tags: Atenolol, beta blocker, non-prescription therapy, Taking BP MedsNo sexual side effects occur with RESPeRATE use
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 23 2007
Q: I have been taking Tenormin Plus tablets (with Atenolol and Chlorthalidone) and now have less of a sexual desire. Is that a side effect of the medicine?
A: Tenormin Plus is a combination of the beta blocker Atenolol and the diuretic Chlorthalidone. Erectile dysfunction is a known side effect of both Atenolol and Chlorthalidone. A decrease in libido or sexual desire is associated only with Chlorthalidone. If you are having problems just with libido, not performance, you might want to talk to your doctor about prescribing a different diuretic to take with Atenolol or using RESPeRATE. No sexual side effects occur with RESPeRATE use.
Tags: Atenolol, beta blocker, Chlorthalidone, diuretic, Erectile dysfunction, libido, RESPeRATE, Sex, sexual desire, Tenormin
