How does spironolactone affect the heart?

How does spironolactone affect the heart?

Spironolactone is commonly known as a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means in exchange for relieving the body of sodium and water, it makes the body retain potassium. This is how spironolactone works to protect the heart, lower blood pressure, and help with any leg swelling that a weak heart can cause.

What happens if you eat potassium with spironolactone?

Avoid taking salt substitutes that contain potassium or potassium supplements while taking spironolactone. Try to avoid foods high in potassium (such as avocados, bananas, coconut water, spinach, and sweet potato) because eating these foods may lead to potentially fatal hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).

Does spironolactone reduce heart rate?

Thirdly in our own study of CHF patients spironolactone reduced heart rate and increased heart rate variability despite also reducing blood pressure [8]. Our observation that spironolactone increased heart rate variability in CHF patients is strong evidence for aldosterone having parasympatholytic effects [8].

Can spironolactone make your heart race?

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Aldactone including irregular heart rate, muscle pain or weakness, urinating less than usual, shallow breathing, tremors, confusion, or a severe skin reaction, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood), and numbness.

Does Bumex lower potassium?

Bumex During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Bumex may also reduce the potassium level in your blood. During pregnancy, this drug should be used only when clearly needed.

What does hyperkalemia cause to the heart?

Hyperkalemia can cause an abnormal heart rhythm which can result in cardiac arrest and death. Common causes of hyperkalemia include kidney failure, hypoaldosteronism, and rhabdomyolysis.

Why does spironolactone help with heart failure?

This medication is used to treat patients with heart failure when systolic dysfunction is present. Aldactone is usually prescribed to prevent heart failure symptoms from becoming worse. Aldactone protects the heart by blocking a certain chemical (aldosterone) in the body that causes salt and fluid build-up.

Can spironolactone cause chest pain?

signs and symptoms of increased potassium like muscle weakness; chest pain; or fast, irregular heartbeat.

What are the Serious side effects of spironolactone?

Stomach bleeding with signs like bloody or tar black-colored stools,coughing up blood or vomit resembling ground-coffee

  • High potassium levels.
  • Low sodium with symptoms like slurred speech,confusion,severe weakness,hallucinations,loss of coordination,seizure,feeling unsteady,fainting,and shallow breathing.
  • Electrolyte imbalance.
  • Can spironolactone cause elevated potassium?

    Spironolactone can cause hyperkalemia. This risk is increased by impaired renal function or concomitant potassium supplementation, potassium-containing salt substitutes or drugs that increase potassium, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers [ see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

    What does spironolactone do to potassium?

    Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. Spironolactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).

    Does spironolactone increase cancer risk?

    Spironolactone, an aldosterone-antagonist, is associated with gynecomastia. Digoxin, which can also cause gynecomastia, has been associated with increased incidence of breast and uterus cancers. We therefore postulated that spironolactone use might also increase these cancer risks.

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