Blood Pressure Archives

Drugs and Alcohol: A Bad Combination

03/01/2024

It’s been a long day, you’re ready to go home and have some drinks to unwind when you remember you’re taking an antibiotic. The bottle says, “Do not consume alcohol while taking this medication,” but a few drinks should be fine, right? Wrong – here’s why!

Why is combining drugs and alcohol a bad idea?

It may come as a surprise for some, but drinking alcohol while taking medications (prescription or over-the-counter) can lead to potentially severe side effects and even death. We often forget that alcohol is in fact a drug, and if mixed with other drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, headaches, fainting, loss of coordination, and more. ¹

Not only can mixing drugs and alcohol have a negative effect on your body, but it can also interfere with how the medication works. Alcohol can cause your medication to have several different effects: ²

The medication may become less effective.
The concentration of the medication may reach toxic levels.
Side effects may worsen.
New symptoms may arise.

Talk to your pharmacist about the potential side effects of mixing your medication with alcohol, even if the label does not come with a warning. It’s important to be honest with your pharmacist about your drinking habits so they can accurately judge any risks.

What can happen if I mix drugs and alcohol?

Mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects. Some common symptoms include: ²

Blood pressure changes
Mood and behavior changes
Dizziness and fainting
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Seizures

More serious complications caused by mixing alcohol with medications are liver damage, heart problems, internal bleeding, and could lead to an overdose or alcohol poisoning. ³

Drug and alcohol interactions may depend on the type of medicine, the amount of alcohol, and your genetics, sex, and overall health. ³ Often, older adults, women, and children and teens may experience more severe side effects of alcohol and drug interactions for a number of reasons. ⁴

Older Adults

Alcohol does not break down as quickly in older adults and their body’s water to fat ratio is decreased. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 78% of surveyed adults over the age of 65 were current drinkers and also taking a medication that could interact with alcohol. ⁴ This can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and a greater risk of falls and injury.

Women

Women may be at greater risk of side effects from mixing alcohol and drugs than men due to having a lower percent of body water compared to body fat. This causes alcohol to break down slower, resulting in a higher blood alcohol level after drinking the same amount as a man. This increases the risk of experiencing negative side effects.

Children and Teens

While seemingly at a lower risk for drug interactions with alcohol, it is still a concern. Alcohol abuse in youth can cause life-long complications and can especially be a risk when mixing alcohol with ADHD medications.

Another concern is how the younger population is consuming their alcohol. Energy drinks are a common alcohol mixer among college students, which can lower the feeling of intoxication resulting in excessive drinking and alcohol-related injuries. ⁴

What medications can interact with alcohol?

Many medications, including over-the-counter products, can vary in severity of symptoms. The most common medicines that react with alcohol include: ³

Opioids
Antidepressants
Antipsychotic medicines
Sleeping aids
Cold and flu medicines
Antibiotics
Pain medicines

Sedative medications, including those that help you sleep, can cause your breathing to slow or stop when consumed with alcohol. This can be extremely dangerous and is a common cause of death. ² Certain medications including painkillers, allergy relief, and cold medicine may contain multiple ingredients that can react with alcohol. ¹ Some medications can even contain up to 10 percent alcohol, such as cough syrup and laxatives.

If you are unsure of your medication ingredients, talk to your pharmacist to get a better understanding of what your medicine contains. Most over-the-counter medications will have sections on the label listing various things such as active ingredients, purpose, uses, warnings, directions, other information, inactive ingredients, and can even include a phone number to call with questions. ⁵

Below are symptoms or disorders that are commonly remedied with medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) and the possible drug alcohol interaction side effects. ¹

Allergies, cold and flu. Common side effects of consuming alcohol while taking these medications may include drowsiness, dizziness, and increased risk for overdose. Many cold medications already have alcohol in them, so combining that with drinking alcohol can induce severe drowsiness.
Anxiety. Taking anxiety medications may heighten your anxiety symptoms if mixed with alcohol. Some side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, unusual behavior, memory problems, and impaired motor control.
ADHD. When mixed with alcohol, many ADHD medications can have contradicting side effects including impaired concentration, increased risk for heart problems, liver damage, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Heartburn. Rapid heartbeat, increased alcohol effect, and sudden changes in blood pressure are just a few side effects of consuming alcohol while taking heartburn medications.
High cholesterol. A few side effects of mixing alcohol with high cholesterol medications include liver damage, increased flushing and itching, and increased stomach bleeding.
Infection. Alcohol should not be consumed if you are taking an antibiotic. Not only can the alcohol reduce the effect of the antibiotic, but it can also result in a fast heartbeat, stomach pain, vomiting, liver damage, and more.
Pain. Common painkillers, when mixed with alcohol, may result in upset stomach, ulcers, liver damage, and rapid heartbeat.
Sleep issues. Mixing alcohol with sleeping aids can result in increased drowsiness, slow breathing, impaired motor control, memory problems, and much more.

If you are currently taking any type of medication, even an over-the-counter cold medicine, talk with your pharmacist about the potential interactions your medication may have with alcohol. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline for free, confidential help at 1-800-662-4357, or visit samhsa.gov for more information on how to get help.

Sources:

¹ https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/harmful-interactions-mixing-alcohol-with-medicines

² https://www.verywellmind.com/mixing-alcohol-and-medication-harmful-interactions-67888

³ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines-and-alcohol

⁴ https://www.drugs.com/article/medications-and-alcohol.html

⁵ https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-drugs/drug-interactions-what-you-should-know

Give Your Heart Some Love

02/01/2024

February is American Heart Month and a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. People who are most at risk for heart disease are those with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and those who smoke. Several other conditions and lifestyle choices can put you at a higher risk of heart disease, such as: (1)

Diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Unhealthy diet
Lack of physical activity
Excessive alcohol use

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Heart disease may be “silent” and not diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia. Symptoms may include: (2)

Heart attack: chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath
Arrhythmia: fluttering feelings in the chest or palpitations
Heart failure: shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins

What Behaviors Increase the Risk of Heart Disease

Lifestyle choices can greatly increase your risk for heart disease. Things like:

Eating a diet high in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol has been linked to heart disease and related conditions.
Too much sodium in your diet can raise your blood pressure which increases your risk for heart disease.
Not getting enough physical activity can lead to heart disease and increase the risk for other conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Drinking too much alcohol can also raise blood pressure and increase your risk for heart disease, and any tobacco use increases your risk of heart disease and heart attack.

Genetic factors likely play some role in high blood pressure, heart disease, and other related conditions as well. However, it is also likely that people with a family history of heart disease often share common environmental factors that may increase their risk. (3)

Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations for Heart Health

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the keys to preventing and managing cardiovascular disease, along with many other conditions. It doesn’t have to be hard! Even just small changes can make a big difference if you are consistent. Don’t think of these changes as a temporary diet but as a change in your overall pattern. Make some of these simple steps below for long-term benefits to your overall health and your heart: (4)

Know how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain a healthy weight. This will account for several factors such as your age, gender, and level of activity. A good starting point could be a calorie calculator online, but it is best to speak with your provider so they can help you take your personal factors into account.

Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity. You should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. Being physically active is a major step toward good heart health. Not only will it help you keep your weight under control, but it strengthens the heart muscle and wards off any artery damage. Here’s how different exercises can benefit your heart health: (5)

Aerobic Exercise improves circulation which results in lowered blood pressure and heart rate. It also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. Ideally, you should perform some type of aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Examples of this type of exercise include brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis.
Resistance Training (Strength Work) can help reduce fat and create leaner muscle mass. Research shows that a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance work may help your good cholesterol and lower the bad. You should aim for at least two nonconsecutive days per week of strength training. Examples include working with free weights such as dumbbells or hand weights, weight machines, resistance bands, or body-weight exercises like push-ups and squats.
Stretching, Flexibility and Balance don’t directly contribute to heart health but they allow you to stay flexible and free from joint pain, cramping, and other muscle issues which in turn helps you maintain your aerobic exercise and resistance training. You should stretch every day before and after every other exercise.

Eat an overall heart-healthy diet such as: (6)

Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, kale, cabbage), broccoli, and carrots
Fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, pears, grapes, and prunes
Whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and whole-grain bread
Protein-rich foods:
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and trout
- Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans
Foods high in healthy fats:
- Olive oil
- Walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts
- Nut and seed butters
- Sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, or flax seeds
- Avocados
- Tofu

Foods and drinks to limit include processed foods, added sugars, high-sodium items, soda, and alcohol.

Live tobacco-free. Cigarette smoking and using other tobacco products greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you currently smoke but would like to quit, you can follow the below five steps: (7)

Set your “Quit Day” within the next 7 days and make a pledge in front of people who will support you.
Choose your method whether it’s “cold turkey”, or cutting down the number of cigarettes per day until you reach zero.
Talk with your healthcare professional to decide if you’ll need medicines or other help to successfully quit.
Make a plan for your quit day and afterward such as having healthy snacks available, keeping yourself busy with activities you enjoy, etc.
And finally, quit tobacco on your quit day!

As always, you can and should consult a healthcare professional such as your physician or pharmacist who can also help you take the proper steps to quit for good.

Work with your healthcare team. You and your healthcare team, like your physician and pharmacist, can work together to prevent or treat any conditions that may lead to heart disease. Discuss this treatment plan regularly, and bring any questions you have to all your appointments. If you’ve already had a heart attack, your healthcare team will work with you to prevent another one. If your treatment plan includes medications, be sure to take any medications as directed and tell your pharmacist if you are experiencing any side effects.

Sources

1. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

2. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm

3. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm

4. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/aha-diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations

5. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/3-kinds-of-exercise-that-boost-heart-health#:~:text=Aerobic%20Exercise,-What%20it%20does&text=How%20much%3A%20Ideally%2C%20at%20least,per%20week%20of%20moderate%20activity.

6. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-healthy-living/healthy-foods

7. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/5-steps-to-quit-smoking

Blood Pressure and the Importance of Knowing Your Numbers.

02/01/2023

What is Blood Pressure?

When your heart pumps blood through your arteries, the blood puts pressure on the artery walls, which is what is known as blood pressure. Arteries then carry the blood from your heart throughout your body (1). Blood pressure does fluctuate throughout the day, but having unusual high or low blood pressure can negatively affect your health in the long run which is why it’s important to know and understand your blood pressure numbers.

What do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean?

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats
Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats

The numbers are then read with the systolic number over the diastolic number, or written as systolic/diastolic mmHg. For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 120 and your diastolic blood pressure is 80 it would be written as 120/80 mmHg (1).

The only way to know what your blood pressure numbers are is to get your blood pressure tested with a blood pressure monitor. Knowing and understanding your results is key to controlling unusual high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Categories

The chart and information below is provided from the American Heart Association and explains the different categories of blood pressure numbers (2).

Normal: Blood pressure is considered in the normal category when the numbers are less than 120/80 mmHg.
Elevated: Blood pressure is considered elevated when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic. If you fall in this category, you are likely to develop high blood pressure if no steps are taken to control the condition.
Hypertension Stage 1: This stage is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic over 80 mmHg diastolic. At this stage, you will likely be advised to make some lifestyle changes and may be prescribed blood pressure medication.
Hypertension Stage 2: This stage is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mmHg or higher. At this stage, you will likely be prescribed blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive Crisis: The hypertensive crisis requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mmHg, you could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis and should contact your doctor immediately.

If your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you are also experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, do not wait to see if your pressure comes down on its own. Call 911.

What Number is More Important?

Typically, the systolic blood pressure number is given more attention due to it being a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over the age of 50. However, an elevation of either number may be used to make a high blood pressure diagnosis (2).

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure typically develops over time. One may develop high blood pressure due to reasons like unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, or alcohol and tobacco use. Blood pressure can also be caused by genetics and family history, so it’s important to let your doctor know if high blood pressure runs in your family (3).

What Problems does High Blood Pressure Cause?

High Blood Pressure can damage your health in many ways, especially if it’s left untreated. It can hurt important organs like your heart, brain, kidney, and eyes (1).

Heart Attack and Heart Disease: High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart.
Stroke and Brain Problems: High blood pressure can also block the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, or cause those arteries to burst, which causes a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen, which can then cause disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also be deadly.
Kidney Disease: Adults with diabetes, high blood pressure, or both have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, which is when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should (4).

What Can You Do to Prevent or Manage High Blood Pressure?

Many people can manage to keep their blood pressure in a healthy range by making some positive lifestyle changes, such as:

Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week
Avoid tobacco use
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet which limits sodium (salt) and alcohol
Keeping a healthy weight
Managing stress in a healthy way

In addition to making these changes, some people with high blood pressure may need to take medications to manage their blood pressure (1). And as always, talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns regarding blood pressure medications or managing your blood pressure numbers. Talk to your pharmacist today about if adding a supplement can help you, and ask us about our free blood pressure monitoring!

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm#whatdo
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/risk_factors.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html

DECEMBER 2019: Healthy Blood Pressure

11/28/2019

With the holidays, many people experience an increase in their blood pressure while dealing with an overloaded schedule and rushing around. Aside from the recommended ways to decrease blood pressure, such as exercising regularly, weight loss, quitting smoking, decreasing stress, cutting back on processed foods, salt, caffeine and alcohol, the foods you eat throughout the day and during meals can play an important role in helping to keep your blood pressure in check.

Foods that can help with lowering blood pressure

Broccoli, bananas, white beans, tilapia, kiwifruit, peaches, apricots, oranges, nectarines, red bell pepper, sweet potato, quinoa, avocado, and leafy greens are high in potassium. The potassium helps lower blood pressure by helping the kidneys remove more sodium. Some examples of leafy greens are spinach, romaine lettuce, beet greens, collard greens, kale, arugula, turnip greens, and swiss chard. Use these foods in salads, smoothies, soups, or side dishes.

Dark chocolate and berries have flavonoids. Flavonoids have been shown to lower risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension. Try adding blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries to cereal, yogurt, granola, or make a healthy dessert with them.

Yogurt is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Use yogurt to make desserts with fresh berries and dark chocolate, salad dressings, or use in sauces.

Oatmeal is high in fiber which helps lower blood pressure. Use to make a hot breakfast or overnight oats with berries and nuts.

Red beets are high in nitric oxide, which helps open the blood vessels. This in turn lowers the blood pressure. Roast them and add them to stew, stir-fries, salads, smoothies, or make baked chips. Garlic can also increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body, use garlic to make salad dressings or to season food.

Olive oil contains polyphenols that help fight inflammation helping reduce blood pressure. Use as a salad dressing, dipping oils for bread, or an alternative for canola oil.

Salmon or fish high in Omega-3 and flaxseed can help lower blood pressure, inflammation, and triglycerides.

Unsalted pistachios decrease blood vessel tightening and heart rate causing a decrease in blood pressure. Eat them by themselves for a snack, add them to salads, or make pesto sauces.

Pomegranates have been shown to lower blood pressure. Sprinkle on salads or try pomegranate juice and add it to smoothies.

Sources: Healthline.com, Prevention.com, WebMD.com, and Mayo Clinic.com

About Shima: Shima graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology in 1997 and worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with the Infectious Disease Department on clinical trials for over 4 years. She then pursued a career change and graduated with her Doctorate degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2007. During her years enrolled in pharmacy school she worked part-time at St. Louis University, where she helped design a laboratory protocol for the BCG Vaccine Study, which received full funding in 2011.

Shima joined Sinks and Medley Pharmacy in September of 2014 as a pharmacist. She continually strives to focus on improving outcomes and raising the quality of life for patients with all types of medical ailments and conditions.