LISINOPRIL AND AFIB

[kocoach]

Hello all, are there any on this forum taking lisinopril for high blood pressure? I just came across this today and it could explain why I and maybe others have more afib episodes than we should;

1. Caution: High blood pressure/heart disease meds and potassium-rich foods like bananas, potatoes and licorice

More specifically, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ACE inhibitors include drugs like lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), enalapril (Vasotec) and captopril (Capoten), while some examples of ARBs are losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), candesartan (Atacand) and telmisartan (Micardis). These meds, which are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, make blood vessels relax and dilate, decrease the heart’s workload and improve circulation.

“These drugs have the tendency to increase potassium retention by the body, and elevated potassium concentration in the blood increases the risk for developing irregular heartbeats,” explains Chan. People taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs should limit their intake of high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, avocados, tomatoes, white and sweet potatoes and dried fruits — especially apricots.

On the other hand, natural licorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which can decrease potassium levels and throw off heart rhythms. “Bottom line: too much or too little potassium in the blood can cause dangerous and life-threatening cardiac side effects,” says Lisa Cimperman, a clinical dietitian at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Black licorice candy, licorice tea, and, of course, licorice root should be avoided while taking these drugs. And stay away from salt substitutes. Many have simply replaced the sodium with potassium.

I was never told this by my EP or Cardiologist as I eat one avocado a day and love oranges and sweet potatoes. Now I have to throw a lot of food away. I'm wondering if they withhold this information from us purposely and we are being used as a type of "guinea pig", or they just don't know about this themselves?

[mjames1]

Don't throw any food away! Millions do well on ace inhibitors and still enjoy oranges!

You do bring up a good point, however, and this class of drugs should be monitored periodically by blood tests.

Here's an article with some guidelines.

ccjm.org/sites/default/file...

Jim

[kocoach in reply to mjames1]

Very nice read, very explicit and explanatory. The article that I posted was by a cardiologist (Dr Chan) and a nutritionalist (Lisa Ciperman). Their main concern was that these drugs can magnify the retention of potasium which will cause iregular heart beats. Thank GOD last tests at the Hospital showed everything OK, I just wish I felt as good as they say I am, LOL. Thank You for your reply, have a Blessed Day!

[rosyG]

Hi

I have to have a potassium supplement as AF starts when I aam at the low end of the normal range This is prescribed by the Brompton heart hospital. When I tried some of the BP meds you mention which retain potassium I stopped the supplement and had blood tests to check levels. My levels were normal and I was eating quite a to of potassium rich foods. I think the only safe answer is to say arrange regular blood tests and remember what foods ou have had that are potassium rich and then you will have safe answers!!