What is Atenolol? Elderly woman taking and elderly mans blood pressure

What is Atenolol used for? Did you know that according to the British Health Foundation, around a quarter of adults in the UK, or 14.4 million people, have high blood pressure?[1].

If left undiagnosed and untreated, high blood pressure can lead to life-threatening health conditions such as heart attacks, severe strokes, and kidney failure. Thus, it is critical to have regular health examinations. If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you’ll be given drugs like Atenolol to help lower your blood pressure. Other popular high blood pressure treatments include Ramipril, you can find out more about Ramipril’s side effects here. For now, let’s learn more about Atenolol and its uses.

What is Atenolol used for?

Atenolol is a blood pressure medication that can be taken with or without other drugs. Lowering high blood pressure is critical for survival as hypertension can lead to deadly strokes, heart attacks, and kidney damage. This medicine is also used to treat angina (chest pain) and improve the chances of surviving a heart attack. Atenolol is a type of beta-blocker. It works by preventing some natural substances in your body from acting on your heart and blood arteries—this aids in lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac strain.[2]

Person having their blood pressure taken. What is Atenolol used for?

Is Atenolol a beta blocker?

Yes, Atenolol belongs to the beta-blocker class of drugs. The medication is typically prescribed to treat elevated blood pressure and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). However, it can also prevent chest pain caused by angina. Atenolol is also sometimes taken to help with anxiety and migraine prevention. However, it is not officially approved for the treatment of these conditions. Other beta-blockers include propranolol tablets, which can help with anxiety.

If you have high blood pressure, Atenolol can help you avoid heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes in the future. You cannot obtain this medication without a prescription, and it is available in tablets or a liquid that you can swallow. It can also be administered through injection. However, this is generally done in a hospital. [3]

Is Atenolol safe?

After reviewing your medical history and ensuring no drug interactions, your doctor will assess whether or not Atenolol is safe for you. Here are some conditions in which Atenolol can be unsafe:

Diabetes: People with diabetes should avoid taking Atenolol since it may conceal key indicators of low blood sugar, such as shaking and an increased pulse rate. It’s impossible to detect dangerously low blood sugar levels without these signals.

Poor Circulation: When using Atenolol, symptoms of poor circulation in the feet and hands may become worse. Since Atenolol lowers blood pressure, an insufficient amount of blood may reach your hands and feet.

Hyperthyroidism: Atenolol may be responsible for concealing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as a rapid heartbeat. It can be life-threatening to stop using this medication without visiting a doctor.

Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Individuals with these health conditions should avoid taking Atenolol. A doctor can still prescribe it in minimal doses and under strict supervision. High doses of this drug may block certain types of beta receptors located in the respiratory tract that can cause breathing airways to narrow, worsening asthma or COPD.[4])

Where can I buy Atenolol?

You can buy Atenolol online from E-Surgery and get it delivered to your doorstep in no time.

Atenolol tablets from e-Surgery

Are there any side effects to Atenolol?

Common side effects of Atenolol are:

  • Feeling dizzy, drowsy or tired
  • Cold hand or feet
  • Diarrhoea or constipation
  • Nausea
  • Feeling dizzy, drowsy or tired

Other rare but severe side effects of Atenolol include:

  • Breathing difficulties, cold sweats, and sharp, acute chest pain that worsens when you cough or take heavy breaths – (can all be signs of lung disease)
  • Breathing issues such as shortness of breath accompanied by a cough that worsens when you exercise (like walking up a hill), chest pain, swollen ankles or legs, or an irregular heartbeat – (these can be symptoms of heart issues)
  • Rapid heart rate, high temperature, shaking, and confusion – (these can all be symptoms of thyroid disease)[3]

Is there any alternative medication to Atenolol?

Yes, there are other medications accessible on e-Surgery to treat high blood pressure. Some may be more appropriate for you than others. Consult your doctor to find out about other alternatives.

How else can I lower my blood pressure?

Excessive tiredness and migraines might be symptoms of high blood pressure. Finding out what unhealthy habits in your daily routine may be causing your high blood pressure, for example, some evidence suggests that blood pressure is higher in the winter months. Adopting a few essential lifestyle changes to make your living healthier is one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure. Find out 5 small changes to help you lower your high blood pressure.

Woman meditating. What is Atenolol used for?

Sources

  1. New estimates show four million people in the UK are living with untreated high blood pressure | BHF
  2. Atenolol Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing – WebMD
  3. Atenolol: for high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and chest pain – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
  4. Atenolol: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More (healthline.com)
  5. ᐅ Does High Blood Pressure Make You Tired? (e-surgery.com)

Further Reading

  1. Atenolol | BNF
  2. Atenolol | Drugs.com
  3. Atenolol 25mg Tablets | Medicines.org