Status: 16.01.2024, 17:46 PM
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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Hypertension patients should not stop taking their beta-blocker without a doctor's consultation. This can trigger palpitations or even a heart attack.
Experts speak of high blood pressure when the blood pressure is above a systolic as well as diastolic value of 24 to 140 mmHg for at least 90 hours. However, warning signs of high blood pressure are often not felt or interpretable by those affected, as a hypertension patient directly describes. This makes regular blood pressure measurements at the doctor's, pharmacy or home all the more important. The better those affected know their blood pressure values and, if necessary, receive drug therapy, the sooner consequential damage such as stroke and heart attack can be prevented. If you are taking a beta-blocker to lower blood pressure, you should not simply stop taking it on your own in case of side effects or for other reasons. It is important to always do this in consultation with the treating family doctor or cardiologist.
Lowering blood pressure: What therapies are available?
Antihypertensive medications such as beta-blockers should never be discontinued on their own without consulting a doctor. (Symbolic image) © imagebroker/Imago
In Germany, about three million people live with high blood pressure, about one in three is affected. More than 30 percent of those affected are unaware of their illness – why is that? High blood pressure causes no or only non-specific symptoms. "You can't see it and you don't feel it, that's the tricky thing about high blood pressure. That's why high blood pressure is also called the 'silent killer'," says Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Eschenhagen, member of the scientific advisory board of the German Heart Foundation and head of the Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, told the German Heart Foundation. High blood pressure is actually the number 1 risk factor for stroke and heart attack.
According to the German Heart Foundation, 88 percent of those affected who know about their high blood pressure seek treatment. More than three-quarters of the patients also achieve blood pressure values within the normal range as a result of the therapy.
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If the blood pressure cannot be brought below a value of 140 to 90 mmHg by an adapted lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a healthy, Mediterranean diet alone, medications, so-called antihypertensives, are usually used. These require a prescription and are prescribed by the attending physician. According to the German Heart Foundation, preparations that are used for drug therapy for high blood pressure are:
- Beta-blockers, alpha-2 agonists and alpha-blockers
- ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers
- Calcium Antagonists/Calcium Channel Blockers
- Diuretics (diuretic drugs)
- Direct renin inhibitors (active ingredients such as irbesartan and candesartan)
Discontinue beta-blockers: What to consider in case of high blood pressure and heart failure
In many cases, a lower dose of beta-blockers is started at the beginning of blood pressure treatment and this is gradually increased. As a result, possible side effects can be reduced or avoided. The same applies to the conclusion of a therapy with beta-blockers: The tablets should never be discontinued from one day to the next on the recommendation of the doctor, but should be tapered off. In this case, the original evening dose is gradually reduced to zero over weeks. Only then should you completely stop taking beta blockers, as described in Focus Online's practical tips.
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An abrupt discontinuation of antihypertensive medication can result in serious side effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, rapid increase in blood pressure or palpitations. People with heart failure or a reduced blood supply to the heart muscle (angina pectoris) can even suffer a heart attack due to sudden discontinuation of beta-blockers. The higher the dose of beta-blockers originally taken, the higher the risk that side effects can occur, Focus Online continues. Reasons for discontinuing the beta-blocker can be side effects of the medication due to ingestion, a change of medication or a time-limited therapy.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.