Do you have high blood pressure? You have to be careful with medications

The mechanisms responsible for regulating blood pressure are very sensitive. They react not only to external stimuli, but also to the needs of individual organs. Hypertension, a serious disease, is defined as the systolic blood pressure over a long period of time above 140 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg. If left untreated, high blood pressure destroys blood vessels, accelerates atherosclerosis, and causes left ventricular hypertrophy. The degree of these changes is proportional to the severity of the hypertension. Proper treatment of hypertension, regular medication and a hygienic lifestyle allow you to lead an active life. However, there are some limitations, or rather rules that must be followed in order not to worsen your health. One limitation is taking medications, but not medications that are recommended for keeping your blood pressure at an appropriate level.

These groups of drugs can lead to an uncontrolled increase in blood pressure. Using them without agreeing the dose with the attending physician may not only be dangerous, but also have a negative impact on the treatment of hypertension itself. A painkiller that does not raise blood pressure is paracetamol, but this does not mean you can take it in any dose. If your doctor has not specified the dose, follow the instructions on the package. Drugs that lower blood pressure are also administered in some other cardiac conditions, such as the treatment of ischemic heart disease or arrhythmias. It is worth knowing that a sudden drop in pressure is as dangerous as a sudden increase in it. A sudden drop in blood pressure can also be triggered by nitroglycerin when used for pain relief in coronary artery disease.

Despite the reduction in the estrogen content in modern contraceptive pills, the mere use of hormonal contraceptives may cause an increase in blood pressure. Many studies have shown that in women using oral contraceptives, hypertension occurs 2-3 times more often than in women who do not take such drugs. Transdermal preparations contribute to the development of hypertension to a lesser extent than oral preparations, but they should always be selected in accordance with the individual needs of a woman. High blood pressure increases the risk of complications with the use of hormonal contraceptives. These women are at risk of stroke (hemorrhagic and ischemic) 3-10 times more often than healthy women. For women with high blood pressure or vascular changes, preparations containing estrogens are contraindicated. Patients with mild or well-controlled hypertension can use progestogen-only pills and non-hormonal methods (e.g. copper IUD). The same is the case with hormone replacement drugs. Of course, this does not mean that a woman in the menopausal period cannot take hormonal drugs. However, they must be selected so that they do not affect blood pressure fluctuations. Women who take hormonal pills must be under the care of specialists and systematically measure the pressure.

It is a group of extremely valuable antibiotics. It includes erythromycin and its derivatives, incl. clarithromycin. An antibiotic in which the active substance is azithromycin was a real hit. Macrolides are used in inflammation of the respiratory tract, especially in inflammation of the pharynx, tonsils, paranasal sinuses, bronchi, lungs, if they are caused by staphylococci and streptococci, and in the so-called atypical infections, i.e. infections caused by bacteria that are unusual for the respiratory system, such as chlamydia. Macrolides are among the least toxic and safest antibiotics, but it turns out that they can lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure, especially in people treated for hypertension with calcium channel blockers. When applying medications for high blood pressure, taking erythromycin sixfold increases the risk of a sharp drop in blood pressure, and clarithromycin – fourfold. Azithromycin alone does not have similar effects, therefore it is this antibiotic that should be prescribed to people suffering from hypertension.

Every person suffering from hypertension must take care of their own health. If you are under the care of a doctor who does not know your medical history, tell them that you have high blood pressure and what medications you are taking. He will then be able to prescribe medications that will not affect the pressure fluctuations. A person with hypertension should stop smoking and minimize alcohol consumption, as it increases blood pressure. Pressure increases also after drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, carbonated drinks). This is not a significant increase, but it is unnecessary. In the fight against hypertension, it is extremely important to limit salt consumption and exercise. The latter is so effective that it can reduce the dose of a blood pressure-lowering drug, i.e. an antihypertensive drug.