Salt and Ace Inhibitors

Emeraldeyes · 10-12-2006, 12:58 PM

On my previous posts I stated that I presently take Clonidine .01 mg 5 times daily. I am very sensitive to drugs and this is one I can tolerate but apparently now my body has built up a resistance and it is not controlling my bp very well so I need to add something else to the mix.

I have tried all the other classes of drugs and now I am trying an Ace. The doctor called me in 10mg of Lisinopril to take once daily along with the Clonidine.

My question is do I need to watch my salt intake with an Ace. I presently do because I am very salt sensitive and I can't take a diuretic because they make my heart race. I am a little nervous about taking the Ace because I have read about potassium levels which I don't really understand. That's whyt I was wondering about restricting my salt intake like I am now.

I would love to one day be able to cut back on the Clonidine. I had being so addicted to a drug.

Canyondweller · 10-13-2006, 01:52 AM

Well, anyone with HBP should not use much salt but with Lisonipril you should not use salt substitutes. Ace inhibiters do not depelete you system of pottassium so don't take pottassium supplements or eat a lot of things with pottassium in it. Some are OK but not a lot of OJ or bananas.

Lenin · 10-13-2006, 10:18 AM

Emeraldeyes,

Unfortunately there's a feedback loop with ACE inhibitors that results in MORE sensitivity to salt. That's why they are almost always prescribed with a diuretic.

So yes, if you are going to take only an ACEI, then cutting salt WAY back is a very good idea for best BP control.
But, as Canyondweller says, NEVER use salt substitutes.

If you can't cut back to something liike <2000 mg./day then adding a diuretic will solve the sodium problem.

Emeraldeyes · 10-13-2006, 12:35 PM

Thank you for your answers. I am already very sensitive to salt. All I have to do is walk by a salt shaker and my bp goes up. I hate that salt sensitivity is a drawback with an Ace. I can't take a diuretic because it makes my heart race. I am only trying this as my last resort. I have been on everything else and I can't handle the side effects. So I guess I will continue to cut way back on my salt like I have been doing.

I now eat 1 bananna a day and drink a small glass of oj in the morning. Will that be ok for additional potassium?

If this don't work I thought I might try Norvasc. I tried that for a day many years ago. Can't remember how that worked. They gave it to me before I had a test done because my bp was way up. Just thought of this medicine.

Canyondweller · 10-13-2006, 04:49 PM

You better talk to your Dr. about the OJ and the banana as that is all my friend had that put her in the hospital. In fact they called her in the middle of the night at home when they got her blood work from the day as her potassium was so high. Norvasc works well but it not usually a first line drug. these are things you really need to talk to Dr. about. I really don't know how they decide which one to use. though I know some are good for congestive heart failure, etc.