How do atenolol work

What happens in reality is the heart pumps less often and is less strong, pushing out a smaller volume of blood. This means that your heart rate and blood pressure will decrease when you take a beta blocker like atenolol.

For someone with high blood pressure hypertension this is a huge benefit because the blood pressure naturally decreases. This helps to relieve the stress placed on the heart and blood vessels, protecting you from cardiovascular events, like a heart attack or stroke. The way atenolol and other beta blockers work make it useful in the treatment of several health conditions, including:.

It is helpful to treat high blood pressure and chest pain because it helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the load on the heart. It is also useful after a heart attack to prevent future attacks for the same reason. Due to the effect of atenolol to decrease the heart rate, it can also offer a benefit for people with an irregular heartbeat, particularly if it tends to beat too fast. Sometimes you may feel nauseous or have diarrhoea when taking atenolol, or have a cold sensation in your extremities like your hands and feet.

Also, it is normal to have a slower heartbeat because of the way the medication works. Some people may also experience side effect because it is working too well — you end up with low blood pressure instead of too high. Some signs of low blood pressure are:. If this happens to you, it is best for you to talk to you doctor about what to do. Usually, just lowering the dose can help to resolve these signs and get your blood pressure back into the normal range.

Atenolol is intended as a long-term solution for the management of high blood pressure. As a result, the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart is reduced.

It also slows down the activity of your heart allowing your heart to beat slower and less forcefully. Atenolol reduces blood pressure, so you might not get as much blood to your hands and feet. For pregnant women: Atenolol is a category D pregnancy drug. Many people have it for years without knowing it. Foods that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help lower blood pressure. Take a look at our list and see which ones you'd like to add….

Your diet is an important tool when it comes to living well with MS. Learn what not to eat. Several herbs may help lower high blood pressure. Learn more about good herbs for hypertension, from basil to hawthorn.

Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce high blood pressure and even lower your risk for hypertension in the future. We'll explain the connection between type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, plus how people with type 2 diabetes can prevent and treat hypertension.

Here are six other exercises that can help improve your levels too. If you have diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing high cholesterol. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Atenolol, Oral Tablet. About Side effects Interactions Other warnings Dosage Take as directed Important considerations Alternatives Highlights for atenolol Atenolol oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and a generic drug.

Brand name: Tenormin. Atenolol comes only as a tablet you take by mouth. Atenolol is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. It can also help prevent heart attack or heart damage after a heart attack. It does this by blocking different types of beta receptors found in breathing passages. Blocking these receptors can lead to narrowing of breathing passages, which can worsen these conditions. Diabetes warning: Atenolol may mask important signs of low blood sugar, including shaking and increased heart rate.

Poor circulation warning: If you have poor circulation in your feet and hands, you may have worse symptoms when taking atenolol. What is atenolol? Atenolol side effects. Atenolol may interact with other medications. Atenolol warnings. How to take atenolol. Take as directed.

Important considerations for taking atenolol. Are there any alternatives? MS: Foods to Avoid. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.

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