From the Guidelines
Soaking your feet in hot water is not a recommended treatment for high blood pressure and tachycardia. This method is not supported by the provided evidence, which focuses on managing orthostatic hypotension and syncope rather than hypertension and tachycardia directly [ 1 ].
Instead, consider evidence-based approaches to manage high blood pressure and tachycardia. The provided guideline evidence discusses various treatments for orthostatic hypotension, including midodrine, droxidopa, fludrocortisone, and pyridostigmine, but these are not directly applicable to managing high blood pressure and tachycardia [ 1 ].
Some key points to consider for managing high blood pressure include:
- Reducing sodium intake
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
- Practicing stress management techniques
For tachycardia, treatments may involve medications such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, but these should be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional [ 1 ].
It's essential to seek medical attention if you're experiencing symptoms of high blood pressure or tachycardia, such as chest pain, severe headache, shortness of breath, or dizziness, rather than attempting unproven home remedies. Proper medical evaluation and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications like heart attack or stroke.
From the Research
High Blood Pressure and Tachycardia
- High blood pressure and tachycardia are conditions that can be treated with various medications, including beta-blockers 2, 3, 4.
- Beta-blockers are a mixed group of drugs with diverse pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and have shown long-term beneficial effects on mortality and cardiovascular disease when used in people with heart failure or acute myocardial infarction 3.
- However, the benefit of beta-blockers as first-line therapy for hypertension without compelling indications is controversial, and current evidence suggests that initiating treatment of hypertension with beta-blockers leads to modest reductions in cardiovascular disease and no significant effects on mortality 3, 5.
Treatment Options
- Beta-blockers can be used in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs to achieve maximal blood pressure control, and labetalol can be used in hypertensive emergencies and urgencies 2, 4.
- Beta-blockers may be useful in patients having a hyperkinetic circulation, migraine headache, and essential tremor 2, 4.
- However, beta-blockers may not be the best option for all patients, and other antihypertensive drugs such as calcium-channel blockers and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors may be more effective in reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality 3, 5.
Tachycardia
- Tachycardia is a condition characterized by an increased resting heart rate, and is often associated with hypertension 6.
- Increased heart rate is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and resting heart rate is correlated with blood pressure and prospectively related to the development of hypertension 6.
- However, not all patients with hypertension are tachycardic at rest, and the definition of tachycardia is debatable 6.
Putting Feet in Hot Water
- There is no evidence to suggest that putting feet in hot water is a recommended treatment for high blood pressure and tachycardia 2, 3, 4, 6, 5.
- Treatment for these conditions should be based on evidence-based guidelines and recommendations from healthcare professionals, and should involve a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modifications and medication therapy as needed.