Ritalin's Link to Hypertension: Find Out About the Dangerous Side Effect
Hypertension is one of Ritalin's side effects that can seriously affect the
heart.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a medical condition wherein
the blood pressure is chronically elevated. While it is formally called arterial
hypertension, the word "hypertension" without a qualifier usually refers to
arterial hypertension. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for
strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading
cause of chronic renal failure.
Blood pressure is a continuously
distributed variable and the risk of associated cardiovascular disease likewise
rises continuously. The point at which blood pressure is defined as hypertension
is therefore somewhat arbitrary. Presently finding sustained blood pressure of
140/90 mmHg or above, measured on both arms is generally regarded as diagnostic.
Because blood pressure readings in many individuals are highly variable —
especially in the office setting — the diagnosis of hypertension should be made
only after noting a mean elevation on two or more readings on two or more office
visits, unless the elevations are severe or associated with compelling
indications such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, heart failure,
post-myocardial infarction, stroke, and high coronary disease
risk.
Hypertension is rarely severe enough to cause symptoms. These
typically only surface with a systolic blood pressure over 240 mmHg and/or a
diastolic blood pressure over 120 mmHg. These pressures without signs of
end-organ damage (such as renal failure) are termed "accelerated" hypertension.
When end-organ damage is possible or already ongoing, but in absence of raised
intracranial pressure, it is called hypertensive emergency. Hypertension under
this circumstance needs to be controlled, but prolonged hospitalization is not
necessarily required. When hypertension causes increased intracranial pressure,
it is called malignant hypertension. Increased intracranial pressure causes
papilledema, which is visible on ophthalmoscopic examination of the retina.
Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting Ritalin cases.
see also:
Stroke
Ritalin may lead to strokes - Learn more about this risky side effectRitalin Users: Important information regarding the link to strokes
Heart Attack
Ritalin may lead to heart attacks - Learn about the risky side effectRitalin Users: Important information on the link to heart attacks
Side Effects
Harmful ADHD drug Ritalin leads to dangerous side effectsHave you suffered from the side effects of Ritalin? Learn more here
