Just diagnosed with a 43% ejection fraction and my doctor prescribed Avapro. Is this the proper treatment?? He gave me samples of 150 mg tablets and said I could cut them in half and just take a half a pill once a day. What do you think about that?
It appears all beta blockers can cause hyperkalemia (higher than normal potassium level). Hyperkalemia secondary to beta-adrenergic receptor blockade can occur in 1% to 5% of patients and is more likely to occur in non-cardio-selective beta-blockers versus cardio-selective beta-blockers. Underlying cause can be excessive potassium intake, disturbed cellular uptake of potassium, or impaired renal excretion of potassium.
High potassium in your blood (Hyperkalemia) if it's not because of your kidneys function, is associated with some medical conditions eg Lupus, Diabetes, Addison disease, hormonal disorders etc but if there isn't a medical condition causation, it can also be caused by diet and medications....
"Medications that have been linked to hyperkalemia include:
-Antibiotics, including penicillin G and trimethoprim.
You are correct ACE inhibitors may cause hyperkalemia (high level of potassium). It seems potassium is normally excreted by the kidneys, so disorders that decrease the function of the kidneys can result in hyperkalemia. The kidneys normally remove excess potassium from the body. Therefore, most cases of hyperkalemia are caused by disorders that reduce the kidneys' ability to excrete potassium.
Sorry you wife took a turn for the worse and had to be admitted.
Here is a link to some information on high potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia).
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hyperkalemia-causes-symptoms-treatments
Quote:
"If you have hyperkalemia, you have too much potassium in your blood. The body needs a delicate balance of potassium to help the heart and other muscles work properly.
The medication prescribed to me is Avapro HCT 150mg/12.5mg (Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide) taken once daily (1 tablet) mainly to help ensure the blood pressure remains under 140 systolic, which is believed to help reduce the pressure on the aorta and root. I am booked in for a second opinion with another cardiologist next week mainly to re-assure myself and my wife (and kids) that things are chugging along okay.
Except for hyperkalemia, T wave abnormality alone is not diagnostic of any particular condition. There is no connection to MS. Additionally a "T" wave abnormality requires supporting evidence with other tests and relevant signs and symptoms. You shouldn't be too concerned about a EKG test as it is often false positive...it is only a tool for further dx.
Hope this helps, and if you have any further questions you are welcome to respond. take care.
My 7 week old daughter, who was born five weeks premature has been having issues with hyperkalemia. Her pediatrician and the kidney specialist she had been consulting with order more labs and an ekg at our local childrens hospital. Today I got a voicemail saying that the potassium levels had went down, but all the other labs like the cretin check where abnormal and she was waiting to her from the kidney specialist. She also said that her ekg was abnormal.
Broke through Verapamil now on Atenolol and dose has been raised.. recently have high blood pressure and now want to add avapro to the regieme.... any answers? 45 year old woman with child 9 yrs old.
I have had jello feeling w/panic attack before. It is possible you are having panic attacks, but your doctor should eliminate all known medical causes for your symptoms before relegating you to a psychiatrist.
I also found this for your consideraton on medicine net, a com website:
"Sometimes, patients with hyperkalemia report vague symptoms including:
nausea,
fatigue,
muscle weakness, or
tingling sensations.
Hx: Hubby 47 has had HBP for 1 year? systolic(136-150) dyastoic(104 118). Heart rate high 90's or 100 - 110. Took Avapro o/d x 1 month July/08. Stress test after second appt. was okay. Cholesterol ok. BP still up. ie: dyastolic 108 - 118. Ht rate 100 - 120. Hubbies father has MI at age 51 died. Hubbies bro at 49 had a massage coronary and died. (2002). Family doc doesn't seem concerned.
I think his heart rate is too high. His dyastolic pressure is still high.
T-wave abnormalities requires further evidence and except for hyperkalemia (electrolyte) the T-wave alone is not a diagnostic of any medical issues. Conditions to be considered with T-waves will usually be abnormal in ventricular hypertrophy, LBBB, chronic pericarditis, and in electrolyte abnormality.
Whether to see a cardiologist would depend on whether you have any supporting symptoms, health history, family history of cardiac disease, etc.
I had been taking 150 mg of avapro for 10 years for high blood pressure. I recently lost 25 pounds and was able to maintain my blood pressure on 75 mg. in fact with a home machine my blood pressure is consistently low. It never goes above 106/70 and most often is 90-97/70-75. Would it be safe to stop taking the medication to see if I can keep the pressure from getting high? Or would it be safer to cut the pill in half and if so, for how long?
Rash is mainly on left eye and one spot on cheek, small rash on right eye. I do sleep on left side. Other med is Avapro for HBP and I have been on that for 2 years. Thank you!
I take avapro for blood pressure, immovane for sleep and now to quell the anxiety. I have frequent ophthalmic migraines (all sparkly lights, no pain) and have a pain migraine every two weeks or so. I can't get anyone to help me and with every week I am that much less functioning. Oh, I've also gained 40 lbs in six months; mostly belly fat. Please!! Any thoughts? Suggestions? Home remedies while I wait to get a doc to take me seriously?
High potassium levels can cause heart dysrrhythmias, since your heart is a big muscle, Other signs of hyperkalemia(increased potassium) are nausea vomitting, restlessness, irritability, I am looking in my book right now to make sure i can give you the most accurate information. Chloride there is not much on. that electrolyte just does not have the effects that other imbalances have. But did the doctor treat her potassium level? or do you know what it was?
Usually, in these cases of a young healthy person, the most common cause of an isolated elevated potassium level is “pseudohyperkalemia” or spurious hyperkalemia. Potassium is a major ion of the body. Nearly 98% of potassium is intracellular, meaning contained within the cells of the body. What happens is that during the blood draw or in the laboratory tube, some of the cells rupture, leaking potassium into the serum.
One day I ate some white rice, sugar suddenly fall to 8 mmol, then even a tiny piece of roti was dropping suddenly. Blood pressure increased, Took avapro, started eating more protein. But I did not get any medical support. Family doctor says, I do not know, hospital says go to family doctor. Family doctor did not give any specialist. However after 5 months, sugar settled between 8 mmol to 11 mmol without medicine. But I was eating less carb, mostly vegetable and rotein.
Thanks =) The good news is the doctor called me because he read all of my blood work and said I am or have hyperkalemia. Yeah, kind of embarrassing to admit I ate SO many cheese puffs I caused a pretty nasty electrolyte imbalance.
Recommended
