Lisinopril is a medication primarily prescribed to manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is also used in the treatment of heart failure and after heart attacks. This medication works to promote smoother blood flow throughout the body, helping to reduce the strain on the heart and blood vessels.
How Lisinopril Works
Lisinopril belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It blocks the action of an enzyme called ACE, which converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a substance that causes blood vessels to narrow, leading to increased blood pressure.
By inhibiting ACE, lisinopril prevents angiotensin II formation, relaxing and widening blood vessels. This vasodilation lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload on the heart. The medication also reduces the release of aldosterone, a hormone that causes the body to retain sodium and water, further reducing blood pressure and increasing potassium retention.
The Connection to Palpitations
While not a frequently reported direct side effect, palpitations can occur in some individuals taking lisinopril. Palpitations might feel like a skipped heartbeat, a fluttering sensation, or a rapid pounding in the chest. Affecting 1% or less of users, their occurrence warrants attention.
One potential indirect mechanism involves electrolyte imbalances, particularly elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Lisinopril can increase potassium retention in the body, and high potassium levels can disrupt the heart’s electrical impulses, leading to irregular heart rhythms or palpitations. This risk may be higher for individuals with pre-existing kidney disease or diabetes, or those taking other medications that increase potassium.
Changes in blood pressure itself can also contribute. If lisinopril causes a significant drop in blood pressure, the body might react with a reflex increase in heart rate, which some individuals may perceive as palpitations. Adjustments to blood pressure and heart rate as the body adapts to the medication can sometimes manifest as these sensations.
What to Do If You Experience Palpitations
If you experience heart palpitations while taking lisinopril, it is important to contact your healthcare provider promptly. Do not adjust your medication dosage or stop taking the drug without consulting them first. Providing your doctor with detailed information about your symptoms will help in their assessment.
Describe the following to your doctor:
- Frequency and duration of palpitations.
- Accompanying symptoms (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting).
- Recent changes in medications.
- Recent changes in diet.
Your doctor may perform tests, such as blood work to check electrolyte levels or an electrocardiogram (EKG), to determine the cause. High potassium levels often do not cause noticeable symptoms before they affect the heart, so monitoring is important.
Seek immediate medical attention if palpitations are accompanied by severe chest pain, significant shortness of breath, severe dizziness, or fainting. These symptoms could indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires urgent evaluation. Your healthcare provider will assess your situation and determine the appropriate course of action, which may include adjusting your lisinopril dosage, switching to an alternative medication, or addressing any related factors.