Q. My very active mother visited her doctor for a routine checkup several months ago. He diagnosed her with hypertension and started her on atenolol and amlodipine.
Since then she has slipped dramatically. She has no energy and has lost her enthusiasm for activities she loved. Her ankles have swollen so much she can no longer get her feet into nice shoes. Mom is also complaining about breathing problems and joint pain for the first time and thinks the medicine is responsible. Most worrisome for her is a drastic loss of hair over the last several weeks. Could the drugs be doing all this? If so, is there a natural way for her to lower her blood pressure safely?
A. Your mother’s suspicions may have some validity. Beta blockers like atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol may cause fatigue, hair loss, asthma and joint pain. Physicians rarely prescribe such medications as first-line blood pressure treatment.
Amlodipine can cause fluid retention, which may be contributing to her swollen ankles. Fatigue and dizziness are also common side effects.
We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment for information on other medications and non-drug management. Other options include Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), weight loss, meditation, deep breathing and foods like beets. She will need to work with her doctor to make sure that her blood pressure is under control. Beta blockers shouldn’t be discontinued abruptly, as sudden withdrawal might trigger a heart attack.
