May 25, 2024 “What in the Pressure is Going On?”
It’s Memorial Day Weekend and I know most of y’all are ready to dig into those BBQ menu staples; ribs, fried chicken, burgers, potato salad, macaroni salad, cornbread, baked beans with ground beef, deviled eggs, and macaroni and cheese to name just a few.
Often copious amounts of salt in our BBQ foods aid in the increase in high blood pressure. However, what we consume at the Memorial Day Weekend BBQ and even the recipes are under our control. We could try to tell Big Mama to change her potato salad recipe (but I wouldn’t try it) or you could make a low salt or no salt version, using red potatoes instead of russet and Greek yogurt instead of mayo. You may not get many takers, but you will have an alternative healthy potato salad for you. Nonetheless, if you don’t make healthy alternatives, be sure to eat less, don’t add extra salt since more than likely the meal has been cooked with salt and drink plenty of water to flush your system.
With the weather being so nice and many activities taking place outside, many people suffer from allergies or just pollen in general. That being said, I want to talk to you about the other things that we ingest that can affect one’s blood pressure and heart rate.
This week I had two clients that felt like crap and came in for IV therapy. Prior to starting an IV, I always take vital signs. Both clients’ blood pressure and heart rate were very high. One of them 180/111 heart rate 101.
Neither client has a history of high blood pressure. I started asking questions about their symptoms and they both complained of sinus/allergy or upper respiratory issues. I asked if they had taken any medications and they both stated they had been taking allergy meds, decongestants, and cold/flu medications for the last few days.
Immediately I stated it’s the meds causing your blood pressure and heart rate to be elevated. I told them both to stop taking the meds and to take their blood pressure reading again in a few hours. One client called back in a few hours with normal levels and stated she was feeling better since the IV infusion, the other blood pressure lowered however she ended up in urgent care diagnosed with sinus infection.
What a lot of people don’t know is, certain medications can increase blood pressure as a side effect. Here are some examples:
1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve)
2. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
3. Certain antidepressants like venlafaxine (Effexor) and bupropion (Wellbutrin)
4. Steroid medications like prednisone
5. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy
6. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements
7. Erythropoietin (EPO) injections
8. Certain asthma medications like albuterol (Ventolin)
9. Migraine medications like triptans
10. Certain ADHD medications like amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
It's important to note that this is not a comprehensive list, and not everyone who takes these medications will experience increased blood pressure. Additionally, many medications have benefits that outweigh the potential risks, and your healthcare provider will carefully consider these factors when prescribing medication. If you have concerns about your blood pressure or medications, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider.
So, now you know that besides Big Mama’s famous potato salad along with most of the rest of the Memorial Day BBQ menu, you should be careful about ingesting certain medications if you want to maintain a healthy heart rate and blood pressures. No Mess
