A cardiac nurse has issued a warning about certain hay fever medications as some could be dangerous to people with heart issues. According to the expert, some drugs aimed at alleviating symptoms could raise blood pressure and even cause palpitations.
With the arrival of spring, many Brits will be affected by hay fever. Also known as allergic rhinitis, it is an allergic reaction to airborne allergens, most commonly pollen, and can cause sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes among other symptoms.
Luckily there is a range of different medications designed to tackle these uncomfortable side effects. The main ones are steroid nasal sprays, antihistamines and decongestants.
While these will effectively manage hay fever symptoms, they might not be suitable for everyone. Julie Ward, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), explained more.
Firstly, she advised that steroid nasal sprays, which reduce inflammation in the nose and sinuses, are “considered safe” for people with high blood pressure and heart and circulatory conditions. However, she stipulated that you must stick to the recommended dose.
If you use antihistamines to treat hay fever, though, you need to be careful. She explained that loratadine (Clarityn) and cetirizine (Piriteze) are generally safe, but other types may not be.
Julie said: “Another type of antihistamine, called fexofenadine (Allevia or Telfast), can lead to a fast or irregular heartbeat and you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
“Also, some older antihistamines, like chlorphenamine (Piriton), can cause drowsiness and so might not be the best choice if you already have fatigue from a heart condition.”
Further to this, she advised caution when it comes to decongestants.
This is because some contain drugs like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) that constrict blood vessels.
“This can raise your blood pressure and heart rate and cause palpitations,” Julie warned. Thereore, the NHS does not recommend decongestants for anyone with high blood pressure or a heart or circulatory disease.
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She added: “If you need a decongestant, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, and always read the medicine information leaflet before taking a hay fever medication as some combine antihistamines with decongestants.
“If you experience heart palpitations, which feel like your heart is racing or skipping a beat, after taking a hay fever medicine, stop taking it and consult your doctor.”
