More than 1 in 4 Latino adults in the United States live with high blood pressure – and many don’t even know it. Many others, already diagnosed, rely on daily medication to keep their blood pressure under control.
But did you know that these drugs can also have dangerous side effects if not taken correctly?
Effect of high blood pressure medications
Antihypertensive drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers or diuretics, can be life-saving. However, they can also cause adverse reactions such as:
Extreme fatigue or constant dizziness
Severe headaches
Sexual dysfunction
Persistent dry cough
Kidney problems or increased potassium levels
Many Latino patients report these symptoms without knowing that they are a direct consequence of their treatment.
Out of embarrassment or misinformation, they do not tell their doctor… and that is a mistake that can be costly.
No te automediques, habla con tu doctor
QuéOnnda.com
Health specialists agree: never interrupt your treatment without consulting a professional.
Doing so can lead to a hypertensive crisis, with risk of stroke, heart failure or irreversible damage to vital organs.
Are you over 50? Much more careful
Buzzy
Older adults, especially those who combine blood pressure medications with other treatments, are more prone to falls, mental confusion or fatigue.
A simple fainting spell may be the sign that the medication is not working well, or that a dosage adjustment is needed.
Practical tips if you take blood pressure medication
Take your blood pressure at least twice a week.
Use an app or alarm so you don’t forget your pills
Keep a written record of how you feel
Do not mix drugs without medical permission
Be informed, ask questions, and never be in doubt.
The good news: there are options
1. What is high blood pressure?
It is the force with which the blood presses against the walls of the arteries.
It is measured with two numbers:
– Systolic (when the heart beats).
– Diastolic (when the heart rests).If it is above 130/80, it is considered high. pic.twitter.com/4lzmoh6b7Y
– Cheers (@cupidodijo) May 12, 2025
If you experience side effects, you are not alone and you are not doomed to live with them.
Today there are dozens of combinations of treatments that can best suit your body and lifestyle.
You just need the right guidance.
Filed under: Effect of high blood pressure medications
