Allergy Medicine If You Have High Blood Pressure
If you suffer from both high blood pressure and allergies, it can be a challenge to find allergy medicine that won’t interfere with your blood pressure medication. Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes can be frustrating to deal with, but you also need to be careful not to worsen your high blood pressure. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best allergy medicines for people with high blood pressure.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood throughout your body. When your blood pressure is consistently high, it can damage your arteries and lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Allergies and High Blood Pressure
Allergies are a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. When you have allergies, your immune system overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless, such as pollen, dust or pet dander. This can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
Unfortunately, some allergy medications can also affect your blood pressure. Many over-the-counter allergy medications contain decongestants, which can raise your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, it is important to be careful when taking allergy medication.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a common type of allergy medication that can be safely used by people with high blood pressure. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical that is released by your body in response to an allergen. This can help to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
There are two types of antihistamines: first-generation and second-generation. First-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl, can cause drowsiness and can also raise your blood pressure. Second-generation antihistamines, such as Claritin and Zyrtec, are less likely to cause drowsiness and are safe for people with high blood pressure.
Nasal Steroids
Nasal steroids are a type of allergy medication that can be used to treat symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. Nasal steroids work by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, which can help to relieve symptoms.
Nasal steroids are usually safe for people with high blood pressure, as they are not absorbed into the bloodstream and do not affect blood pressure. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any new medication, especially if you have high blood pressure.
Decongestants
Decongestants are a type of allergy medication that can be used to treat congestion caused by allergies. Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nasal passages, which can help to relieve congestion.
However, decongestants can also raise your blood pressure, so they are not recommended for people with high blood pressure. If you need to use a decongestant, talk to your doctor first and make sure to monitor your blood pressure.
Allergy Shots
Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, are a long-term treatment option for people with allergies. Allergy shots work by gradually exposing you to small amounts of an allergen, which can help your body build up a tolerance to the allergen over time.
Allergy shots are safe for people with high blood pressure, as they do not contain any medication that can affect blood pressure. However, allergy shots are a long-term commitment and require regular visits to your doctor.
Conclusion
If you have high blood pressure and allergies, it is important to be careful when taking allergy medication. Antihistamines and nasal steroids are usually safe for people with high blood pressure, but decongestants should be used with caution. Allergy shots are also a safe option for people with high blood pressure. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any new medication, especially if you have high blood pressure.