Question

how to treat asthma and htn together

Answer 1

Asthma and hypertension (HTN) can be treated together in any patient by taking some precautions.

Hypertension in a patient who is also suffering from asthma can be treated with the antihypertensive drugs like calcium channel blockers (Amlodipine, verapamil, nifedipine, etc), and Angiotensin receptor blockers (Losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, etc). Diuretics can also be used to treat hypertension in patients with asthma but precautions should be taken while using Thiazide diuretics since Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia as a side effect and beta-2-agonists used to treat asthma can also cause hypokalemia.

It should be noted that drugs like beta blockers (Propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol, etc) and ACE inhibitors (Enalapril, captopril, etc) should be avoided in asthma because it can exacerbate asthma by causing constriction in the respiratory passages.

The most common medications used for asthma treatment are beta-2-agonists (salmeterol, formoterol, salbutamol, etc), corticosteroids (budesonide, fluticasone, etc), leukotriene modifiers (montelukast, etc) , anticholinergics (ipratropium bromide, etc) , and immunomodulators. Generally, beta agonists and steroids are associated with hypertension, but doses and types used for asthma treatment lowers the risk of hypertension.

Mostly, medications used for treating asthma are inhaled because they have a concentrated effect on the lungs and donot have much hypertensive effect. Oral medications for asthma like corticosteroids can cause significant hypertension and thus is avoided in the patients having hypertension.

This is how, Asthma and Hypertension (HTN) can be treated together.