What is Propranolol?
Propranolol is a beta-blocker, which is a group of medicines that control heart rate, anxiety, and headaches. It is also used to treat cardiac issues such as arrhythmia, heart failure, and irregularity. Propranolol can also be given to patients who have had a heart attack to improve their chances of surviving.
How Does Propranolol Work?
High blood pressure is a serious disease that, if not treated, can wreak havoc on the brain, heart, vessels, kidneys, and other organs in the body. Damage to these organs can lead to heart disease, a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other disorders.
As a beta-blocker, Propranolol works by altering how the heart responds to certain nerve messages that interfere with the heart and blood vessels. This change lowers blood pressure, slows down the heart rate and strain on the heart, thus promoting effective circulation of blood to all organs.
What Does Propranolol Treat?
Besides treating high blood pressure, propranolol can be used to:
- Prevent strokes and heart attacks
- Prevent chest pain caused by angina
- Treat overactive thyroid
- Reduce the severity and frequency of migraines
Propranolol can cause mild side effects that go away within a few days to serious ones that require immediate medical intervention. These include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Allergic reactions
- Breathing problems
- Cold feet and hands among others.
If your symptoms do not seem to improve or worsen tell your doctor immediately.