Corgard® is a prescription medication primarily used for the treatment of high blood pressure, though it does have other uses. In some cases, Corgard® is prescribed to help prevent pain in the chest, which is referred to as angina. It may also be used to regulate the heart rate of a person who has an arrhythmia. This medication is usually well tolerated by those who take it, but like most medications, it may cause side effects. Among the possible side effects of Corgard® are tiredness, dizziness, and a slower heart rhythm.
Most frequently, doctors prescribe Corgard® for the treatment of high blood pressure. This is an important use, as high blood pressure may make a person more vulnerable to a range of other health conditions. For example, a person with uncontrolled high blood pressure may be more at risk of having a stroke or a heart attack. Individuals with high blood pressure may also be more at risk of developing life-threatening kidney problems.
Sometimes Corgard® is used for the treatment of angina as well. Angina is described as pain or discomfort in the chest that develops when disease of the coronary arteries impairs the flow of oxygen to the heart. The pain that angina causes can be severe, and in some cases, people may even think they are having heart attacks when it occurs. Angina usually lasts for a few minutes and does not typically cause permanent damage to a patient’s heart. Corgard® may not only prove useful for preventing chest pain when a person is performing ordinary activities, but may also prove helpful for preventing attacks of angina that are related to exercise.
Corgard® is useful for the treatment of arrhythmias as well. An arrhythmia is a condition marked by the irregular contraction of the heart, which results in an abnormal heart rhythm. Some arrhythmias can be life-threatening, and this medication may help to prevent and manage the symptoms.
Like most medicines, Corgard® can cause side effects. In most cases, however, these are relatively minor and include such reactions as fatigue and weakness, or dizziness. Less often, a person may have an allergic reaction to it. In such a case, a person may develop hives or another type of rash, experience tightness or pressure in the chest, or note breathing difficulties. Swelling of the face and mouth or a severely altered heart rhythm may develop in relation to an allergy as well.