Topic: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), Spirolactone and potential herbal alternatives

\”Spironolactone has caused tumors in laboratory animals.\”

(2016, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.)

Uses:  Spironolactone is used to treat certain patients with hyperaldosteronism (the body produces too much aldosterone, a naturally occurring hormone); low potassium levels; heart failure; and in patients with edema (fluid retention) caused by various conditions, including liver, or kidney disease. It is also used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Spironolactone is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium from the body.

Spironolactone also is used in combination with other medicines to treat precocious puberty (a condition causing children to enter puberty too soon, resulting in the development of sexual characteristics in girls usually younger than 8 years of age and in boys usually younger than 9 years of age) or myasthenia gravis (MG, a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and patients may experience weakness; numbness; loss of muscle coordination; and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control). Spironolactone also may be used to treat certain female patients with abnormal facial hair.

Spironolactone may cause side effects:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• stomach pain or cramps
• dry mouth
• thirst
• dizziness
• unsteadiness
• headache
• enlarged or painful breasts in men or women
• irregular menstrual periods
• vaginal bleeding in post-menopausal (\’after the change of life\’, the end of monthly menstrual periods) women
• difficulty maintaining or achieving an erection
• deepening of voice
• increased hair growth on parts of the body
• drowsiness
• tiredness
• restlessness

Some side effects can be serious:

• muscle weakness, pain, or cramps
• pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
• inability to move arms or legs
• changes in heartbeat
• confusion
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms
• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• vomiting blood
• blood in stools
• decreased urination
• fainting

\”Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension,\”

——-(Muth et al. 2015)

Article Link:  Traditional herbs, remedies for cardiovascular disorders article

\”This article
highlights the cardiovascular effects of four potent traditional
botanicals viz. Garlic (A. sativum), Guggul (C. wightii), Hawthorn (C.
oxyacantha) and Arjuna (T. arjuna). Although these plants have been
used in the treatment of heart disease for hundreds of years, current
research methods show us they can be utilized effectively in
the treatment of CVDs including ischaemic heart disease, congestive
heart failure, arrhythmias and hypertension,\” (Rastogi, Pandey, & Rawat 2015, pg. 7)

I really like this article because it outlines that herbs, as well as, food (garlic in this case) can have the potential to lower blood pressure, and also lower one\’s chances of developing future CVD\’s.  I take Hawthorne berry supplements to help with my vascular tone, and I find that it has helped with my overall out-put when exercising.  I highly suggest doing more research into these amazing anti-hypertensives, and others not mentioned here.  Hope you enjoy reading this, and be aware and eat with care 🙂

***Also look into Topic: Hydrochlorothiazide and Potential anti-hypertensive herbal combinations article  for more anti-hypertensive journal articles here on Natural-KnowHow.com

Ref:

Picture:  2016 Medical Specialists ®,  http://www.medical-specialists.co.uk/spironolactone.php

Uses and side effects of Spirolactone:  2016, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.,  https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682627.html

PA quotation: Muth, A, Ragnarsson, O, Johannsson, G, & Wängberg, B 2015, \’Systematic review of surgery and outcomes in patients with primary aldosteronism\’,  The British Journal Of Surgery, vol. 102, no. 4, pp. 307-317. Available from: 10.1002/bjs.9744. [5 June 2016].

Herbs for cardiovascular diseases article:  Rastogi, S, Pandey, M, & Rawat, A 2015, \’Traditional herbs: a remedy for cardiovascular disorders\’,  Phytomedicine, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, viewed 5 June 2016.