Atenolol/Zestril Questions - Problems with Potassium - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

pam1000 · 01-28-2005, 06:52 PM

I am a 41 yr female. I have been on Atenolol/Hydrochlorothiazide 100/25 once a day for about the last 5 years. Managed bp well. A couple of weeks ago I started experiencing upper back soreness that radiated around to the sides of my breasts. Went to dr. and she did blood work and ekg. EKG came back abnormal and I was sent to ER where the same tests were done plus a chest xray. The er doc said that my symptoms were due to a potassium defiency. Was given Potassium 20 twice a day and a referral to a Cardiologist. Had my first appt today and she changed my meds to Atenolol 100 once a day and Zestril 10 once a day and stopped the potassium.

Has anyone had this combination and if so were there any side effects? I am scheduled for a DIMPS stress test next week. This is where they inject some radioactive isotopes to better view the heart. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

As a side note I found out from both the ER dr and Cardiologist that my primary dr should have been monitoring my potassium frequently but didn't. Possible lawsuit for the stress that I was put under!!!

Any comments welcome

Thanks,

Pam

Palamedes · 01-28-2005, 07:38 PM

I can see why would no longer need the potassium (K). The diuretic depletes K. The ACE Inhibitor (Zestril/lisinopril) spares K. If you were to add too much K, you can have the opposite problem.

From a long-term standpoint you are now on a regiment that will help prevent diabetes instead of cause it. IMHO, you should not have been put on a diuretic at such a young age (I assume 36).

The real question remains whether the new combo will actually work to control your BP. Your old combo was synergistic. In other words, the two drugs complement each other well and can give additional bang when combined (i.e., 2+2=5). Unfortunately, your new combo is non-synergistic (i.e., 2+2=3). The math is probably a little exaggerated, but you get the idea.

Pal