I am a 55 year old man and have cycled almost all my life. Until two years ago I had a resting heart rate of 45. Six months ago I turned out to have high blood pressure, for which I was given diuretics. Blood pressure is fine now, but now that I’m cycling again, I have high heart rate values: at basic exertion already 155 (where I had 115 to 120 last year), at rest I now have 75 to 80. Could this be related to the medication ?
Anonymously
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
I think so, but how it works, I have to guess a bit. Water tablets are not known for having a faster heartbeat to give. But I can well imagine that it is possible; you let some fluid out of the system, as it were, and the heart will then try to start sufficient blood flow with smaller, faster beats. Another possibility is that water tablets change the ratio between different salts (electrolytes), which can affect impulse conduction in the heart, which can change the heart rhythm.
I would first blood have the injection taken, then (in consultation with the GP) stop taking the diuretic, see how the blood pressure develops, and have another blood drawn. If the water pill is clearly the cause, I would take another medicine or discuss with the doctor whether you really need a blood pressure medicine.
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