B/P Medication Atenolol (Tenormin)

Here I was at 28 years old when I suddenly awoke with a splitting headache more severe than I had ever experienced. The headache was accompanied by mild chest pain, shortness of breath and sweating. My heart rate was too high for me to count. I feared I was having a heart attack or stroke or something. I SHOULD have called 911 but instead, I hopped in my car and drove to the local hospital. I walked up to the nurse's desk and described my symptoms. She took one look at me and they brought me right back. One was starting an IV, one was hooking me up to a heart monitor and EKG, one was taking my vital signs and one was asking questions. Then I spot one person wheeling what appeared to be a big red tool box near me. That was the "crash cart" containing a defibrillator and other medications and tools in case I went into cardiac arrest. (that made me feel good). I was told that my pulse was beating at 210 beats per min (normal is 80-100) and my blood pressure was 240/120. Now I've worked as a paramedic in the past and I have a respectable medical background. I've seen people in the middle of a heart attack with better vital signs than that. I was pretty nervous to say the least.

After some blood tests that checked my cardiac enzymes and other things, I was told (much to my relief) that I had NOT had a heart attack. "whew". After some IV medications, my pulse and blood pressure went down. My pulse went down to about 120. (Still too fast but not life threatening.) but my blood pressure only lowered to 164-110. (much better, yes, but still WAY too high and NOT acceptable). I was admitted to the hospital for further tests. Doctors were concerned. I was a bit heavy and could stand to loose a few pounds but i wasn't HUGE or obese. My cholesterol was a bit high but not too bad. Basically with the exception of my vital signs, I was pretty healthy on paper. Now I should add that I don't smoke or do drugs and I RARELY drink alcohol and have SELDOM been drunk. I don't eat right (I HATE vegetables and don't dig most fruit).

The doctor tried some meds and treatments and then settled on Atenolol (Tenormin). Atenolol (Tenormin) is a anti-hypertensive medication in the "beta blocker" category. The usual dose for Atenolol (Tenormin) is 50mg once daily alone or with another medication. My doctor started me out on 50mg alone. My blood pressure came down but still not to where he wanted it. So he upped the dosage to the maximum dosage of 100mg once daily. He sent me home. I felt fine for the most part. I followed up with my doctor two weeks later and he prescribed the maximum dosage of the Calcium Channel Blocker "Norvasc" (10mg) once a day and 5mg of the ACE Inhibitor "Vasotec". Atenolol (Tenormin) combined with those other two medications and a slight change in my diet brought my blood pressure and pulse down to normal ranges.

What is Atenolol (Tenormin) prescribed for?

Atenolol (Tenormin) is a type of medication used in the treatment of high blood pressure, angina (chest pain, usually caused by lack of oxygen in the heart muscle due to clogged arteries), and heart attack. When used for high blood pressure it is effective alone or combined with other high blood pressure medications, particularly with a thiazide-type water pill (diuretic). Atenolol (Tenormin) as well as beta blockers decrease the force and rate of heart contractions.

Side effects?

The side effects listed for Atenolol (Tenormin) are dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and slow heartbeat.dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and slow heartbeat. My doctor also told me that with men Atenolol (Tenormin) and most other "beta blocker" medications can case erectile disfunction.

In my experience with the medication, I had none of the stated side effects and though it didn't happen over night (took about 2 weeks) my blood pressure and pulse was brought down to a consistant normal and healthy range and I couldn't have been happier.

If you have high blood pressure and you've been perscribed Atenolol (Tenormin) , you must take If you have high blood pressure, you must take it regularly for it to be effective. Blood pressure declines gradually so it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Atenolol (Tenormin) and you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Atenolol (Tenormin) or ANY of the many blood pressure medications does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.