When left untreated, high blood pressure, or hypertension, could lead to significant health issues. Over time, hypertension could raise your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and more. Luckily, there are ways to keep the issue at bay. In addition to making lifestyle changes that can manage your stress and keep your blood pressure levels healthy, you may also take certain medications that can lower your blood pressure. One of the main types of blood pressure medications is diuretics, which help to flush extra fluids from your body. However, just as with any medication, it’s always important to consider how diuretics could interfere with any other supplements or medications you may take.
To learn about one possible drug you should stay away from while taking diuretics for high blood pressure, we spoke to dietitian Trista Best. She told us that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be harmful when taken with diuretics. Read on to learn more about the risks at hand.
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Impact of NSAIDs on diuretics
As Best explains, NSAIDs—these are a type of painkiller that include ibuprofen and naproxen—work to relieve pain by retaining sodium and water. On the other hand, diuretics, which are commonly prescribed for hypertension, are meant to reduce fluid retention in order to lower blood pressure. When taken alongside each other, NSAIDs are likely to negate the effects of diuretics. "This interaction might weaken the effectiveness of diuretics, leading to uncontrolled blood pressure levels," Best warns.
She adds that, in addition to your heart, your kidney may also be at risk with this combination. "Moreover, NSAIDs can further strain the kidneys, as both diuretics and NSAIDs independently impact renal function," she explains. "Combined use could elevate the risk of kidney damage, electrolyte imbalances, and worsened hypertension." Yikes! This is especially concerning considering the fact that high blood pressure often comes along with underlying kidney issues.
Ultimately, it's always important to be aware of the risk of any supplement or medication you're considering taking. The same goes for NSAIDs and diuretics as with any other option: "Healthcare professionals should be consulted before combining these medications to prevent potential complications and ensure safe and effective management of hypertension," Best concludes. Noted!
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