Atenolol is a geared toward patients who have had a heart attack and also have hypertension. In controlling blood pressure, Atenolol also affects certain catecholamines (sometimes misspelled as catacholomines), which are integral to our hormonal and neurological health. We need a certain level of catecholamines for our bodies to function properly. Learn more about the effects that prescription cardiac medicine Atenolol has on catecholamines.
Atenolol Overview
Atenolol is a beta blocker that is prescribed to increase the survival rate of people who have had a heart attack or who suffer from hypertension. It also lowers the overall exertion of the heart. Beta blockers work to reduce the effects of the catecholamine adrenaline, scientifically known as epinephrine. Atenolol is to be used only as prescribed, and suddenly ceasing to take the medication may significantly worsen your condition.
Catecholamine Facts
Catecholamines are derived from tyramine, a type of amino acid that functions as hormones and neurotransmitters. The most common types of catecholamines are dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). Adrenaline and noradrenaline levels in the body should be about 20 ng/ml for adrenaline and about 60 ng/ml for noradrenaline.
Adrenaline Basics
Adrenaline is secreted by our adrenal glands as part of the body's "fight or flight" reaction when presented with high anxiety and life-or-death situations. The appropriate levels of adrenaline in our bodies help us maintain our focus or concentration and help deliver the initial set of warnings to our bodies when our blood glucose is low. When adrenaline is secreted in excess amounts, effects such as an accelerated heart beat and feelings of anxiety can occur. Adrenaline is sometimes administered as a drug such as when a severe heart attack occurs. Adrenaline can get the heart pumping again, but excess amounts of it can also negatively affect the heart by causing it to beat faster thus increasing blood pressure.
Relationship
The relationship between catecholamines and Atenolol centers on the cardiovascular disease hypertension. Hypertension occurs when the force of blood flow through the blood vessels exceeds 150 for the systolic pressure (the top number in BP readings) and 90 for the diastolic pressure (the bottom number in BP readings). Commonly referred to as high blood pressure, if the force of blood flow remains well above this number of 150/90, serious conditions such as heart failure, stroke and kidney failure can result.
Significance
Adrenaline, a catecholamine, is a direct cause of elevated blood pressure. When a person is placed under stress either physically, emotionally or mentally, an excess amount of adrenaline is produced. When this occurs, the heart rate speeds up, shortness of breath can occur and blood pressure significantly increases. For this reason a beta blocking drug, such as Atenolol, may be used to reduce the effect of adrenaline on the heart and blood pressure.
Effects
Atenolol's primary property is blocking catecholamines, specifically adrenaline. The use of Atenolol has the potential of decreasing the level of adrenaline in our bodies to a low level. If this were to occur, the results could be the onset of ADHD type symptoms, risk of the body not recognizing when blood glucose is low, and slow or no response to life and death situations.
Warnings
Should you notice any symptoms such as, slow response time, lack of focus, attention span waning, or significant drops in your blood glucose levels, contact your primary care physician and cardiologist immediately. These symptoms could be a sign of low adrenaline levels as a side effect of taking Atenolol. Only your doctor and cardiologist can make this determination, therefore it is imperative to make them aware of such occurrences.
Tags: blood pressure, blood glucose, heart attack, adrenaline bodies, Atenolol used, blood flow, cardiac medicine