2023-12-11 18:00:09
It is quite common to ingest cold medicines. They are designed to address symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and even mild fever. They are available in different presentations and most offer good results.
At the same time, there are some drugs of this type that can also affect the sistema cardiovascular. They can also be especially problematic for people who have underlying heart problems.
How do cold medicines affect the heart?
“A stuffy, stuffy nose is known as rhinitis, which is an inflammation within the inner membrane of the nose,” says Dr. Al-Kindi, a preventive cardiologist at Houston Methodist Hospital.
This inflammation is a natural part of the body when dealing with a cold. In order for immune cells to reach the site of infection, blood flow to the nose is increased. As these immune cells create substances that help fight the virus, a buildup of fluid occurs. This increase in pressure and swelling causes nasal congestion.
That’s where the decongestants. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are probably the best known examples.
“The way these decongestants work is by constricting the small blood vessels in the nose. By compressing the vessels, blood flow is reduced and the inflammation that causes congestion disappears.”
The reality, however, is that these medications do not only affect the blood vessels in the nose. The cold medicines Oral agents also act systemically and narrow all the blood vessels in the body.
That is why the decongestants They can have radical effects. Among them is an increase in blood pressure and affect the rhythm of the heart. They can also have harmful effects on people susceptible to pre-existing heart problems.
Who should not take decongestants?
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) People with a predisposition to develop an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) People with heart failure People with Prinzemetal’s angina (coronary artery spasm), also called variant angina
These heart conditions are characterized by underlying problems with blood pressure, maintaining a normal heartbeat, or the ability to pump blood. Take cold medicines can escalate these problems, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening cardiovascular events.
That is why the decongestants and multi-symptom cold medications that contain a decongestant have warnings on the label for people with high blood pressure and heart disease.
Los oral decongestants They can also interact with certain blood pressure medications, making them more or less potent. Since there are many different types of blood pressure medications and some people take more than one type to treat their high blood pressure, this is a difficult situation to manage at home.
Ways to relieve congestion without stressing the heart
Use a saline nasal spray Humidify the air, taking a hot shower, for example. Switch to an antihistamine because it helps relieve nasal inflammation in a different way (although it is slower)
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