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Trouble with Blood Pressure Drugs

Q. My very active mother visited her doctor for a routine checkup several months ago. He diagnosed her with hypertension and started her on atenolol and amlodipine.

Since then she has slipped dramatically. She has no energy and has lost her enthusiasm for activities she loved. Her ankles have swollen so much she can no longer get her feet into nice shoes. Mom is also complaining about breathing problems and joint pain for the first time and thinks the medicine is responsible. Most worrisome for her is a drastic loss of hair over the last several weeks. Could the drugs be doing all this? If so, is there a natural way for her to lower her blood pressure safely?

A. Your mother’s suspicions may have some validity. Beta blockers like atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol may cause fatigue, hair loss, asthma and joint pain. Physicians rarely prescribe such medications as first-line blood pressure treatment.

Amlodipine can cause fluid retention, which may be contributing to her swollen ankles. Fatigue and dizziness are also common side effects.

We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment for information on other medications and non-drug management. Other options include Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), weight loss, meditation, deep breathing and foods like beets. She will need to work with her doctor to make sure that her blood pressure is under control. Beta blockers shouldn’t be discontinued abruptly, as sudden withdrawal might trigger a heart attack.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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