Best Medicine For Runny Nose With High Blood Pressure
If you suffer from high blood pressure, you know how important it is to manage your condition. Taking the right medications can help you keep your blood pressure under control and avoid serious health complications. However, if you also have a runny nose, you may be wondering which medications are safe to take. In this article, we’ll discuss the best medicine for runny nose with high blood pressure.
Why Do High Blood Pressure and Runny Nose Occur Together?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of your blood against your blood vessels is too high. This can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. A runny nose, on the other hand, is caused by irritation or inflammation of the nasal passages. While these two conditions may seem unrelated, they can occur together due to a few reasons.
One reason is that some medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, can cause a runny nose as a side effect. Additionally, people with high blood pressure may be more prone to allergies or colds, which can also cause a runny nose. Finally, high blood pressure can weaken blood vessels in the nose and make them more prone to inflammation and irritation.
What Medications Are Safe to Take?
If you have high blood pressure and a runny nose, it’s important to choose medications that won’t raise your blood pressure or interact negatively with your existing medications. Here are some options:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are medications that block the action of histamine, a chemical that’s released in response to allergens. They can help relieve symptoms of a runny nose caused by allergies. Antihistamines that are safe to take with high blood pressure include loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). However, some antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can cause drowsiness and may interact with blood pressure medications.
Decongestants
Decongestants are medications that reduce swelling in the nasal passages and can help relieve a stuffy or runny nose. However, some decongestants can raise blood pressure and should be avoided if you have high blood pressure. The decongestant pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can raise blood pressure and should be used with caution. Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) is a safer option for people with high blood pressure.
Nasal Steroids
Nasal steroids are medications that reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and can help relieve symptoms of a runny nose caused by allergies or inflammation. Nasal steroids that are safe to take with high blood pressure include fluticasone (Flonase) and mometasone (Nasonex).
Saline Nasal Spray
Saline nasal spray is a non-medicated option that can help relieve a runny nose by flushing out irritants and thinning mucus. It’s safe to use with high blood pressure and can be used as often as needed.
Conclusion
If you have high blood pressure and a runny nose, it’s important to choose medications that won’t raise your blood pressure or interact negatively with your existing medications. Antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, and saline nasal spray are all options that can help relieve a runny nose safely. However, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking any new medications, especially if you have high blood pressure.
