Millions on blood strain treatment issued warning | EUROtoday

Millions of individuals taking blood strain medicines are being suggested to pay shut consideration to what they drink, as sure drinks might scale back the effectiveness of their prescriptions and even set off dangerous unwanted effects. Medications similar to ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics are important for managing hypertension, a situation affecting over 16 million folks within the UK, lots of whom are unaware they’ve it.

Experts at Health, nonetheless, a publication based in 1981 with a medical advisory board of 70 board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals, have warned that some seemingly innocent drinks can intervene with how these medicines work.

1. Some fruit juices

Grapefruit juice is without doubt one of the most well-known culprits. According to Sabrina Islam, MD, MPH, a heart specialist at Temple Health and an affiliate professor of medication on the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, it will possibly block an enzyme referred to as CYP3A4, which helps break down many blood strain medicines.

Other fruit juices, similar to apple or orange juice, can also intervene with the best way the physique absorbs and metabolises some blood strain medicines, defined Dr David Maron, a heart specialist at Stanford Medicine’s Preventive Cardiology Clinic.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can considerably amplify the consequences of blood strain medicines, significantly beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and alpha-blockers. This interplay may cause blood strain to drop too low, leading to harmful dizziness, fainting, speedy heartbeat, and falls. On prime of that, alcohol itself can elevate blood strain, lowering the advantages of treatment. Dr Maron suggested no multiple drink per day for girls and two for males.

3. Caffeinated drinks

Caffeine will increase blood strain when it enters your bloodstream, and it will possibly additionally diminish the effectiveness of some medicines, significantly beta-blockers and diuretics. People with hypertension must be cautious with caffeine, even when they don’t seem to be taking these medicines. Dr Maron recommends conserving caffeine consumption under 400 milligrams per day.

4. Licorice tea

Liquorice tea accommodates glycyrrhizic acid, which might considerably elevate blood strain and trigger harmful interactions with antihypertensive medicines, even when consumed in small quantities. It acts by inflicting sodium retention and potassium loss, which reduces the effectiveness of blood strain medicine.

5. Herbal teas and dietary supplements

Certain natural merchandise, similar to St. John’s wort, ginseng, ephedra, yohimbine, liquorice root, and high-dose inexperienced tea extracts, might intervene with how the physique processes blood strain medicine. These interactions can scale back the effectiveness of medicines or set off unwanted effects similar to dizziness, irregular coronary heart rhythms, or low potassium ranges.

6. High-sodium vegetable juices

While some vegetable juices may also help decrease blood strain, similar to celery, beetroot, or leafy inexperienced blends, these which can be excessive in sodium can really counteract blood strain medicines, significantly diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs, doubtlessly resulting in elevated blood strain, swelling, and decreased drug effectiveness.

According to Blood Pressure UK, hypertension is the third largest danger issue for illness within the UK, after smoking and poor food plan.

Experts have warned that sufferers taking blood strain medicines ought to communicate with their healthcare supplier earlier than consuming these drinks to make sure their therapy stays secure and efficient.