How does phentermine affect the heart?

If you’re reading this article, chances are good that you’ve heard of phentermine. Maybe your doctor prescribed it to help you lose weight, or perhaps you stumbled upon it while searching for ways to shed some pounds. Either way, there’s no denying that phentermine is a popular weight loss drug.

But before you start popping those pills like candy in hopes of dropping a few dress sizes, it’s important to understand how phentermine affects your body – particularly your heart. After all, losing weight isn’t worth risking your health over!

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the relationship between phentermine and the heart. We’ll explore everything from how this medication works to potential side effects and warning signs.

What Is Phentermine?

Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is phentermine? In short, it’s a type of medication used as an appetite suppressant. It works by stimulating certain parts of the brain (specifically the hypothalamus gland) to decrease feelings of hunger.

Phentermine is typically prescribed for short-term use (usually about 12 weeks), in combination with diet and exercise. It isn’t meant to be a long-term solution for weight loss; rather, it’s designed to jump-start healthy habits so patients can continue losing weight on their own.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what phentermine is let’s delve into its effect on our cardiac system

The Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system comprises our heart and blood vessels (vasculature). Its primary muscles are located within our chest cavity (mediastinum), which pumps oxygenated blood throughout our body via arteries while returning waste-laden deoxygenated blood back through veins towards lungs where CO2 gets released outwards via respiration RBCs carry most oxygen thus maintaining Homeostasis

How Does Phentermine Affect The Heart?

To understand how phentermine affects the heart, it’s important to first know a bit about how the heart functions.

The heart is essentially a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. It has four chambers – two on top (the atria) and two on bottom (the ventricles). When your heart beats, it contracts and relaxes in a rhythmic pattern known as your heartbeat.

Phentermine works by stimulating certain parts of the brain to release chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters activate something called the “fight or flight” response – which causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This effect can be harmful for individuals who already have pre-existing conditions affecting their cardiovascular system.

Side Effects Of Using Phentermine For Weight Loss

While phentermine can help you lose weight quickly(succinctly), there are several potential side effects associated with its use – including those that may affect your cardiac system.

Here’s a list of some common ones:

  1. Cardiovascular complications
    2.Dizziness
    3.Fatigue
    4.Nausea or vomiting
    5.Jitteriness/Shaking
    6.Loss of appetite
    7.Trouble sleeping
    8.Fast/irregular heartbeat
    9.Elevated Blood Pressure

It goes without saying that these symptoms can be incredibly concerning since they involve our lifesaving organ- our pump!

Warning Signs To Look Out For

We’ve already touched upon some warning signs when taking phentermine to keep an eye out for but here are more pointers regarding this topic-

If you’re currently taking phentermine for weight loss(or any other health condition),here are some specific things you should watch out for:

  • Chest pain/squeezing/tightness/discomfort
  • Difficulty breathing/shallow breaths
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Rapid/irregular heartbeat(breathlessness)
  • Swollen lower extremities
  • Blurred vision

If you experience any of these symptoms while taking phentermine, stop using it immediately and seek medical attention.

Factors That Can Increase Your Risk Of Cardiac Complications With Phentermine Use

While phentermine use can result in cardiac complications , there are several factors that may increase your risk:

  1. Family history of heart disease/stroke
    2.Having high blood pressure/hypertension ; known lipid abnormalities
    3.People who smoke or have a smoking habit.
    7.Females older than 50 years old (or post menopausal women)

Individuals with underlying cardiovascular conditions such as those listed above should avoid taking this medication unless deemed medically necessary by their doctor!

Conclusion

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that has shown to aid weight loss but there are important factors to consider regarding its effects on our cardiorespiratory system. It works by stimulating certain parts in the brain causing cardiac stimulation which is not advisable for people with pre-existing cardiac disorders. Always speak to a healthcare professional before starting any new medication regimen!

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