HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Shortness Of Breath After Taking Atenolol, Amlodipine Besylate And Furosemide?

Posted on Mon, 19 Dec 2016

Question: I recently started taking atenolol, amlodipine besylate, furosemide, and potassium - all orally. Last night, I became do short of breath that I feared passing out, and when I had taken my blood pressure and pulse, I got pulse readings of 39, 40, and 4O. Scared nearly to death, I walked began drinking coffee and walking the floor while taking pulse and blood pressure readings every few minutes. I was initially able to get my breath back by going to my car outside the residence where I was visiting, turning on the fan and cracking the windows (temperature was 47 degrees, altitude 3400 feet - I live at sea level where the temperature was 69 degrees the day before I became short of breath). My pulse and blood pressure readings now fourteen hours after the night in question are virtually normal - 154/79 and pulse rate 60.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Respiratory distress could have been due to bronchospasm.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through the entire details provided. I would insist you not to panic. Atenolol is known to cause low heart rate and unless you become symptomatic, it is not a cause for concern. However, atenolol also can lead to development of bronchospasm (spasm of respiratory airway tubes) leading to respiratory distress. That could be the possible cause of the mentioned problems. You may talk to your treating physician about dose modification or change of medication. The blood pressure is on the higher side and needs to be controlled.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (13 hours later)

Thank you! I was aware of atenolol's purpose or method of lowering blood pressure, however. "Respiratory distress" and "bronchospasm" are undoubtedly what I experienced. such that I'd really prefer not to do it again. Thanks again, however, for confirming my own diagnosis and treatment: when I've seen my doctor, we'll adjust dosage. I did, by the way spend a very comfortable night - one totally free of any difficulty similar to what I described. I think, by the way, that my relatively swift change in altitude, temperature, and atmospheric pressure had much to do with my difficulty. You might make a note for future reference.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. I have taken note. Feel free to ask me back directly if you ever have a health related query in the future. I would be there to assist you.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar