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With effective treatment, including blood pressure medications, you can live an active life. Learn about the common blood pressure medications and their side effects.

Common Types of Blood Pressure Medications

High blood pressure, which affects nearly half of all U.S. adults, occurs when the force of the blood flowing through your arteries is consistently too high, forcing the heart to work harder. Over time, high blood pressure can damage major organs including the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes and lead to life-threatening issues like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

With effective treatment, including both heart-healthy lifestyle habits and prescription blood pressure medications, you can control your blood pressure and live an active life. There are a variety of blood pressure medications, and it may take some time for you and your doctor to determine the best treatment for your needs. The good news is that with so many available and effective medications, you’re likely to find one that’s right for you. Read on to learn more about the most common classes of blood pressure medications and their side effects.

Diuretics lower blood pressure by helping the body get rid of excess sodium and water, reducing the volume of fluid in blood vessels. They are often a frontline treatment for high blood pressure, as research studies have found them to be one of the most effective blood pressure medication classes at preventing stroke and heart attack fatalities.

Diuretics commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

Chlorthalidone (Thalitone®, Tenoretic®, and Clorpres®)

Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril®, Microzide®, and Esidrix®)

Common side effects of diuretics include dehydration, thirst, low sodium levels, headaches, and dizziness. In some cases, drinking more fluids isn’t enough to treat dehydration. Contact your doctor if you experience severe thirst, mouth dryness, or constipation; if your urine is a deep yellow; or if you have a bad headache. Taking multiple medications may exacerbate these side effects. To minimize medication interactions, speak with your doctor about the ideal timing of doses for each medication.

Some diuretics decrease your potassium levels, in which case you may experience weakness, leg cramps, or fatigue. Eating potassium-rich foods can help combat these side effects. Consult with your doctor about taking potassium supplements if you experience any of these symptoms.

Diuretics may increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Adjusting your diet or the dosages of your diabetes medication(s) often addresses this issue. Learn more about how Alto can support your diabetes treatment.

Beta blockers cause the heart to beat more slowly and less forcefully, lowering your blood pressure. They also help improve overall blood flow by opening up your veins and arteries.

Beta blockers commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

Common side effects from taking beta blockers include:

Beta blockers may block signs of low blood sugar such as a rapid heart rate in people with diabetes. If you have diabetes and take insulin, it’s important to check blood sugar levels often while taking beta blockers.

These medications may also affect your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Most often, they cause a modest increase in triglycerides, a type of fat found in your blood, and a slight decrease in HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol. These changes are usually temporary.

Beta blockers aren’t typically used by people with asthma, as they may trigger severe asthma attacks. Abruptly stopping use of beta-blockers may increase your risk of a heart attack or other health complications, especially if you have been taking the medication for a long time. Consult with your healthcare provider about the potential risks and benefits of treating your hypertension with beta-blockers.

ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure by blocking production of a hormone called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to narrow. These medications help constricted blood vessels expand so that more blood can flow through.

ACE inhibitors commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

A chronic dry, hacking cough is one of the most common side effects of ACE inhibitors, affecting as many as 35% of people who take these medications. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why some people experience this side effect and not others, but the following factors may contribute to it:

Gender — women tend to be more susceptible

Studies have found that a combination of two or more of the factors above is needed to produce the side effect.

Cough medicines typically aren’t effective at treating an ACE inhibitor-related cough. In some cases, this side effect may improve on its own. If you are experiencing a cough from taking ACE inhibitors, the best course of action is to discuss the pros and cons of switching to another medication with your doctor.

Additional possible side effects of ACE inhibitors include:

ACE inhibitors can harm both mother and baby during pregnancy. If you’re taking an ACE inhibitor and think you might be pregnant, speak with your doctor immediately.

Like ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) also protect blood vessels from the hormone angiotensin II. Angiotensin II must bind with a receptor site to constrict blood vessels. ARBs block the receptors to prevent blood vessels from tightening, which lowers blood pressure.

ARBs commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

ARBs may produce harmful interactions with other medications. This medication class should not be taken with an ACE inhibitor, as the combination can lead to a greater risk for low blood pressure, kidney damage, and high potassium levels. Speak with your doctor before taking painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen, as these medications may interact with ARBs to increase your potassium levels.

ARBs are not safe to take during pregnancy, as they can severely harm a developing fetus. If you think you might be pregnant, consult with your doctor immediately.

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. Decreasing the calcium in these cells makes the heart beat with less force, opening up narrowed blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

Diltiazem (Cardizem CD®, Cardizem SR®, Dilacor XR®, Tiazac®)

Verapamil (Calan SR®, Covera HS®, Isoptin SR®, Verelan®)

Possible side effects of calcium channel blockers include:

The body releases hormones called catecholamines in response to stress. When these hormones bind to parts of cells called alpha-receptors, blood vessels narrow, causing the heart to beat faster and more forcefully. This leads to an increase in blood pressure.

Alpha blockers prevent catecholamines from binding to alpha-receptors so that blood can flow more freely, which also helps the heart beat more normally. This helps control blood pressure.

Alpha blockers commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

Possible side effects of alpha blockers include:

A drop in blood pressure when you stand up

Consult your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of taking an alpha blocker. These medications have been known to interact with other medications like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and medications for erectile dysfunction, increasing or decreasing their effects. Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you take.

When combined, alpha blockers and beta blockers prevent catecholamine hormones from binding to both alpha and beta receptors. These medications decrease the constriction of blood vessels and make the heart work less forcefully.

Alpha-beta blockers commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:

Common Types of Blood Pressure Medications 

With effective treatment, including both heart-healthy lifestyle habits and prescription blood pressure medications, you can control your blood pressure and live an active life. Read on to learn more about the most common classes of blood pressure medications and their side effects.

With more than 50,000 fertility patients served, Alto Pharmacy understands the complexities of your fertility treatment. That’s why we offer a variety of resources to ensure you’re never alone in navigating your fertility medications.

3 Alto Pharmacy Resources to Ease Your Fertility Journey

Undergoing fertility treatment is an intense and deeply personal experience. A great fertility pharmacy partner understands this and goes the extra mile to put your care first.

Reliability and convenience should be non-negotiable in a pharmacy partner during IVF and egg freezing, processes that involve quick-moving and often rapidly changing protocols of fertility medications. But at Alto, that’s only the beginning. We believe that an exceptional fertility pharmacy doesn’t just deliver your fertility medications and necessary ancillary supplies on time — it becomes a partner in your journey.

With more than 50,000 fertility patients served, we understand the complexities of your fertility treatment. That’s why we offer a variety of resources to ensure you’re never alone in navigating your fertility medications.

1. Personalized fertility medication injection guides

It’s normal to be nervous about administering your first injections, but we’re here to walk you through them. In our injection guide videos, experienced pharmacists from Alto’s clinical fertility team share all the information you need to feel confident and ready, from unboxing your medications and preparing the syringe, to correctly injecting the medication and disposing or storing it safely. They also cover potential side effects and tips for preparing in advance.

And you won’t have to sift through years of outdated videos on YouTube to find the correct one for your medication: as an Alto customer, you’ll find your own unique playlist with videos for your specific fertility medications in the app. Some medications have different administration methods, including subcutaneous and intramuscular injections. We developed different injection guides for each administration method so you have all the relevant videos for your fertility medication protocol right at your fingertips.

2. One-on-one consultations with fertility-trained pharmacists

When questions arise during fertility treatment, there’s no substitute for one-on-one time with a fertility pharmacist. But at traditional pharmacies, it’s far too difficult to get a pharmacist’s undivided attention.

That’s not the case at Alto. Whether you’re wondering where to store medications while traveling or how to alleviate pain after an injection — actual questions Alto customers have asked our pharmacists — you’ll have direct access to a fertility-trained pharmacist who’s familiar with your medication protocol seven days a week.

Our pharmacists are available until 9 pm PST on weeknights and 6 pm PST on weekends. Since most fertility medications are administered as nightly injections, our extended hours mean you’ll interact with an actual person, not an automated recording, when it matters most. The best part? There’s no time limit. We’ll wait on the phone while you watch all of the video guides for your nightly injections and walk you through each one if it helps put your mind at ease.

We know that life doesn’t stop during fertility treatment, and sometimes you just need a quick yes or no right away. If a call isn’t convenient, you can ask as many questions as you need to via text or secure message in our app. Whichever communication method you use, you’ll still have a direct line to a fertility-trained pharmacist focused on your individual needs.

Exploring fertility treatment may feel like navigating unfamiliar territory at first. There’s so much new information to take in, from fertility medications and their sequence in an IVF or egg freezing cycle, to the jargon and acronyms you’ll often hear. We have an extensive library of fertility-focused content to help you deepen your understanding of fertility treatments and find useful information to make the best decisions for your needs.

Here are just a few of the resources we offer:

IVF and Egg Freezing: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Managing the Costs of Fertility Treatment

Choose a fertility pharmacy you can rely on

Too often, managing fertility medications only adds to the stress of fertility treatment, with hours spent waiting on hold to track down a medication delivery or navigate insurance benefits.

Choosing a reliable pharmacy partner can minimize stress during IVF, egg freezing, and other fertility treatments. Since 2016, we’ve supported more than 50,000 patients through their fertility journeys. As an Alto customer, you’ll never have to worry about whether medications will arrive on time — and you’ll have a supportive pharmacist by your side at every step of the way.

Learn more at alto.com/fertility or reach out at any time via phone at 1-800-874-5881 or in-app messaging.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

When used in tandem with healthy lifestyle habits and additional preventive measures to avoid triggers, asthma medications can help you control symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Read on to learn more.

A Guide to Common Asthma Medications | Alto Pharmacy

If you’ve ever had an asthma attack or watched a friend or family member experience one, you know how uncomfortable it is when you are struggling to breathe. But while asthma, a chronic disease that affects more than 25 million Americans, may not be curable, it is certainly manageable. Whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe, you can live an active life by working with your doctor to establish a treatment plan.

When used in tandem with healthy lifestyle habits and additional preventive measures to avoid triggers, asthma medications can help you control symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.  However, because there is lots of variation in how different people experience asthma, there isn’t a standardized, one-size-fits-all approach to asthma medications. For some people with mild cases of asthma, rescue medications that offer quick relief from acute asthma symptoms are enough, while moderate to severe cases often involve long-term maintenance medication.

Read on to learn more about the main types of asthma medications that your doctor may prescribe.

First, let’s discuss how to tell if you have asthma. The condition doesn’t look the same in each person, and an individual’s asthma symptoms may change over time, but common signs include:

Trouble sleeping because of coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath

Coughing or wheezing intensified by the cold or flu

If you experience persistent coughing or wheezing for more than a few days or any of the symptoms above, consult with your doctor. An asthma diagnosis is based on your medical history, an evaluation of your symptoms, a physical exam, and lung tests.

You may find that your symptoms flare up in certain situations, like during exercise, or that they are intensified by environmental triggers like allergies. In these cases, you may have to take extra precautions when engaging in specific activities or supplement your asthma medication with allergy treatment. Your doctor can help you determine your specific treatment needs.

Learn how to prevent seasonal allergies and reduce symptoms of allergy-triggered asthma.

Quick-relief asthma medications for acute symptoms

People with asthma often need immediate relief when symptoms flare up. Quick-relief or “rescue” asthma medications help in these situations. Used on an as-needed basis, these medications relax airway muscles to open the lungs and relieve shortness of breath and wheezing within minutes. They can stop an asthma attack in progress or help prevent exercise-induced asthma.

Common quick-relief asthma medications include:

Albuterol (branded options include ProAir® HFA, Proventil® HFA, Ventolin® HFA)

Inhalers are the most common form of quick-relief asthma medications. Albuterol and Levalbuterol are also available as a liquid solution for nebulizer use.  Common side effects of this medication class include nervousness or shakiness, headache, throat or nasal irritation, and muscle aches. There are also some known severe side effects, including allergic reactions like hives, a rapid heart rate, or heart palpitations. If you have any concerns, contact your doctor to discuss treatment options.

You may be able to manage mild or exercise-induced asthma symptoms with quick-relief medications alone. However, treatment for more persistent asthma symptoms often involves long-term control medication.

While rescue medications can help treat acute asthma symptoms during an asthma attack, long-term control medications are taken regularly to prevent symptoms from escalating in the first place. They are a very important component of asthma treatment for those with more serious symptoms.

There are two main types of long-term control medications for asthma: inhaled corticosteroids and combination inhalers that contain both corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists (LABAs).

Inhaled corticosteroids like Flovent® HFA and Qvar Redihaler® reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways, making them less likely to react to asthma triggers. They are primarily taken via inhaler. Their effectiveness depends on daily use, and they are not effective at treating acute asthma attacks. It may take several months to see improvement in asthma symptoms from using inhaled corticosteroids.

Inhaled corticosteroids typically do not cause serious long-term side effects, but long-term use in children has been linked to slight delays in growth. However, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. If you have any concerns, your doctor can help you make the best choice for your child’s asthma treatment.

Read our previous blog for more information on managing your child’s asthma.

Mouth and throat irritation and oral yeast infections have also been known to occur as a result of using inhaled corticosteroids. As a precaution, rinse your mouth with water after each dose to prevent infections.

Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), a type of bronchodilator medication that opens airways and reduces swelling, can be used on an ongoing basis to control moderate to severe asthma. However, some research has linked this medication class to serious asthma attacks. The risk is strongest when a LABA is used on its own. For that reason, they are typically taken in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

Common ICS/LABA combination inhalers include:

Fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair Diskus®)

Fluticasone and vilanterol (Breo Ellipta®)

Combination inhaler side effects are similar to those of inhaled corticosteroids used alone.

In some cases, if severe symptoms persist even after using inhaled corticosteroids and combined ICS/LABA inhalers, oral corticosteroids like Prednisone and Methylprednisolone, may be used to treat severe asthma attacks. Your doctor can explain more about the potential risks and side effects of these medications if relevant to your treatment plan.

If your asthma is triggered by allergies, allergy medications may be a part of your asthma treatment plan. There are a variety of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications, including oral antihistamines like Claritin®, Allegra®, and Zyrtec®, decongestants like Afrin® and Sudafed®, and corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays. Your doctor can work with you to find the best treatment option for your allergy symptoms, so that you can avoid allergy-induced asthma attacks. However, allergy medication isn’t a substitute for asthma medication.

Remember to be patient with yourself as it may take some time to find the best asthma medications for your symptoms. Discuss the potential for side effects with your doctor and reach out to our team if you have any questions during the course of your treatment. 

Alto is here every step of the way to make it easy to manage your asthma symptoms. Our team of pharmacists is available to answer questions about your asthma medications, and we offer free, same-day delivery and medication management tools like reminders and auto refills in our app.

Reach out via phone at 1-800-874-5881 or in-app messaging to learn how Alto can support your asthma treatment plan.

All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

Learn more about the United State Preventative Service Task Force’s Grade "A" recommendation and what it means for your access to PrEP.

What a USPSTF “A” Recommendation Means for PrEP Access

With a Grade A recommendation from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), PrEP — an HIV prevention medication that can lower risk of sexual transmission by 99% when taken daily — is now more accessible than ever. Under the Affordable Care Act, most private insurance plans must cover preventive services with an “A” or “B” recommendation from the USPSTF without copays or deductibles. This means that at least one PrEP option will be available at no cost to qualifying individuals on these plans. 

PrEP’s 2019 Grade A recommendation from the USPSTF was implemented this year. Below, we explain more about the Task Force’s recommendation and what it means for your access to PrEP.

The Importance of Preventive Services and the USPSTF

Preventive care — including medications like PrEP, cancer screenings, immunizations, and more — saves lives. These services can prevent serious diseases or detect them early on, when they are more treatable. It’s critical that doctors understand the effectiveness of these screenings and treatments, and the US Preventive Services Task Force was created to fill that need.

The USPSTF is an independent group of prevention experts whose evidence-based evaluations help healthcare providers make informed recommendations for their patients. The Task Force’s membership has expertise in a range of specialties under the umbrella of primary care and preventive medicine, including internal medicine, behavioral health, obstetrics and gynecology, and more. They assign each recommendation an A, B, C, or D grade or an I statement. Here’s what each recommendation means:

“A” Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends the service. There is high certainty that the net benefit is substantial.

“B” Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends the service. There is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.

“C” Recommendation: Clinicians may provide this service to selected patients depending on individual circumstances. However, for most individuals without signs or symptoms there is likely to be only a small benefit from this service.

“D” Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends against the service. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits.

“I” Statement: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service. Evidence is lacking, of poor quality, or conflicting, and the balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined.

Since preventive services are recommended based on a person’s level of risk for a specific disease or condition, there is variation in individual preventive needs. Your primary care provider will recommend screenings and medications depending upon factors like your family history, age, current health status, and more.

With PrEP, the “A” rating and related insurance coverage applies to individuals who are HIV-negative but at high risk of getting HIV from contracting the virus. That includes:

People whose partner is HIV-positive or unsure of their HIV status

The Affordable Care Act and USPSTF Recommendations

Millions of people in the US don’t receive critical, and often life-saving, preventive services. For many, cost is a big barrier. A 2020 study found that 1 in 3 US families postponed medical care services because of the financial strain. And according to the American Journal of Public Health, in the case of PrEP, fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from the medication are taking it.

The Affordable Care Act provision requiring private insurers to cover Grade “A” and “B” preventive services without copays or deductibles was designed to alleviate this financial burden. The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) oversees the implementation of law provisions related to private health insurance, and private insurers have a responsibility to monitor USPSTF recommendations and remain compliant with requirements.

While the new provision is a big step forward for HIV prevention, getting the specific brand of PrEP medication you need may require some additional legwork.

There are several FDA-approved medication options for PrEP: Truvada®, Descovy®, and a generic for Truvada, which became available in October 2020. Truvada and Descovy are both effective at preventing HIV, but they are not identical. Some people may need one version over the other due to preexisting health issues. However, the ACA’s provision only requires health plans to cover at least one of the available PrEP options without copays or deductibles.

Government plans including Medicaid typically cover brand-name PrEP medication while most private insurance companies will cover generic PrEP. If your doctor has prescribed a specific brand of PrEP medication not covered by your insurance, a request for coverage may be required. 

This is called a prior authorization. Alto’s dedicated support team can help you understand the details of your insurance plan and will coordinate closely with your doctor’s office on filing prior authorizations to help you get the medication you need. Call us directly at 1-800-874-5881 to confirm coverage.

Too often, preventive services are inaccessible to those without insurance. Thankfully, patient assistance programs for PrEP help make the medication more affordable for those who are uninsured. For example, Truvada’s manufacturer, Gilead, has a Medical Assistance Program for people without insurance, in addition to a copay card for those with insurance.

Alto will automatically conduct a thorough price investigation to identify these potential sources of financial assistance and ensure you're getting the lowest possible price. We also carry a generic PrEP option that currently runs at $36.60 a month out of pocket.*

Read more about PrEP access and affordability.

Get the PrEP medication you need at the best possible price

Getting PrEP at the most affordable price shouldn’t be a hassle. At Alto, our team will do the research for you and coordinate with your doctor’s office and your insurance provider to ensure that you’re receiving the best medication option. Our pharmacists have deep expertise in many clinical areas, including patients living with HIV, and those taking PrEP, PEP and HRT medications.

Adherence support with pharmacist lab reminders

Discrete, private packaging and free, same-day delivery

Med syncing support and in-app reminders to stay on track

Pharmacists directly available through phone or within the Alto app  

We’re hard at work the moment we receive your prescription, handling insurance and prior authorizations, as well as making sure you get your medicine, at the best price, delivered at no additional cost. Reach out any time to get started via phone at 1-800-874-5881 or in-app messaging.

June marks Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important reminder to take charge of your health and wellness. Here’s more information on three of the top men’s health issues to help you get started.

Preventative Steps to Take for Men's Health Month

June marks Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important reminder to take charge of your health and wellness. Men are less likely to go to the doctor than women, missing or delaying critical screenings and tests, and they also have a lower life expectancy. In honor of Men’s Health Month, commit to taking a proactive and preventive approach to your well-being. Here’s more information on three of the top men’s health issues to help you get started.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer for men in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 8 men, and the second most fatal. It occurs when cancerous cells in the prostate gland, a male organ that helps produce semen, grow uncontrollably. Early-stage prostate cancer often doesn’t cause visible signs, but common symptoms of more advanced cases include trouble urinating, blood in your urine and/or semen, bone pain, weight loss, and erectile dysfunction.

Despite the seriousness and the prevalence of this disease, it has a high survival rate when detected at an early stage. More than 3.1 million men in the U.S. who have had prostate cancer are alive today. As with any health issue, the best way to prevent prostate cancer is to know your risk and be vigilant about screening.

Researchers have identified several key risk factors for prostate cancer:

Age: Your chances for getting prostate cancer increase significantly as you age, with roughly 6 in 10 instances of this cancer occurring in men over 65.

Race/ethnicity: For reasons not yet clear, Black men are about 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than men from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. When diagnosed, they are also more likely to face more aggressive forms.

Family history: While most instances of prostate cancer occur in men without a family history of the disease, having an immediate relative who has had prostate cancer more than doubles your risk of developing it. The risk is higher if your relatives had it at a younger age.

The American Urological Association recommends prostate cancer screening every two years for men ages 55 to 69. However, if you are at higher risk, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screenings. Consult with your doctor about your screening needs.

Heart disease, the leading cause of adult death in the United States, is a top health issue for men: 25% of all adult male fatalities are from heart disease. In general, men face a greater risk for heart disease than women, in part explained by protective effects of sex hormones, and they are also twice as likely to have a heart attack.

The sooner you detect heart disease, the easier it is to treat. Here are some common symptoms to recognize:

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor right away to determine the best treatment plan. 

Learn more about heart health warning signs.

And since men are more likely to skip out on annual physicals than women, they are also less likely to have regular heart health-related screenings. If it’s been a while since your last physical exam, try to schedule one soon — regular doctor’s visits are essential to prioritizing heart health.

Here are some guidelines for staying on top of heart health screenings:

If your blood pressure is normal, below 120/80 mm Hg, get screened at least once per year. If you have high blood pressure, a reading consistently above 130/80 mm Hg, consult with your doctor about recommended screening frequency.

Check your cholesterol every 4-6 years if your risk is normal (under 200 mg/dL). Ask your doctor about recommended screening frequency if you have a higher risk for heart disease and stroke.

Get a blood glucose test for diabetes at least every three years, with more frequent screening if you have prediabetes.

Discuss healthy lifestyle habits including smoking, exercise, and diet at each regular visit.

Mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD affect all people, but men are less likely to seek support and treatment than women, in part because of the misconception that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Left unaddressed, a mental health disorder can greatly impact a person’s physical health. 

Here are some common warning signs of the three most prevalent mental health issues:

Change in mood, weight, or work performance

Withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed

Physical symptoms, including headaches or stomach issues

Nervousness, restlessness, or feeling tense

Intrusive memories about the traumatic event

Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the traumatic event

If you have experienced any of the symptoms above or are concerned about your mental health, talk to your doctor and ask for support. Your emotional well-being matters, and mental health disorders are treatable.

Read ‘How Mental Health Affects Heart Health’ to learn more about the heart-head connection.

To live your healthiest life, take an active role in your well-being year round, not just during Men’s Health Month. That means learning more about your risk for men’s top health issues, staying up to date with recommended screenings, and prioritizing healthy lifestyle choices. Most men’s health issues are preventable or treatable, but staying proactive is key.

At Alto, a pharmacist is your partner in health. Our team of patient care pharmacists is available to chat whenever questions come up - reach out via phone at 1-800-874-5881 or in our app.

If you want a glimpse into how your heart is functioning, all you need is two fingers and fifteen seconds. Read on to learn more about what your resting heart rate can tell you about your health.

What Your Heart Rate Can Tell You About Your Health

If you want a glimpse into how your heart is functioning, all you need is two fingers and fifteen seconds. You can find your resting heart rate — the number of times your heart beats per minute when you’re at rest — by simply taking your pulse. While it’s only a small part of your overall cardiovascular health, paying regular attention to this number can help you identify any changes in heart function and potentially detect early signs of heart disease. Read on to learn more about what your resting heart rate can tell you about your health.

Our heart rate changes throughout the day as we engage in activities that require various levels of oxygen. Your resting heart rate is your baseline before you tackle your daily workout or head into a stressful work meeting. Caffeine can also make the heart beat faster, so for the most accurate read of your resting heart rate, take your pulse right when you wake up, before your morning cup of coffee.

You can measure your resting heart rate by taking your pulse either on your neck or at your wrist. If checking on your neck, place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe. And if you’re checking at your wrist, place those same fingers over your radial artery, located between the bone and tendon on the thumb side of your wrist. Apply enough pressure to feel every beat, but don’t push too hard since too much force can interfere with blood flow.

Once you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in fifteen seconds, and multiply it by four to calculate the number of beats per minute.

Resting heart rate will vary from one person to another, but the healthy range for an adult typically falls between 60 to 100 beats per minute. In general, the lower your heart rate, the easier it is for your heart to pump blood. On the other hand, a higher heart rate means your heart is working harder, and may signal a greater risk for heart attack.

Pay attention to the rhythm of your heart in addition to the number of beats. An irregular pattern may be symptomatic of heart conditions that can cause heart attacks and strokes. An uneven heartbeat, also called an arrhythmia, can be treated, but too often people only discover it after a medical emergency. Regularly monitoring your heart rate and rhythm is one way to stay on top of any potential issues and be proactive about your health.

If you have any concerns about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor, who can evaluate you for any heart-related health issues and determine what your normal resting heart rate should be. The most important thing is to understand your baseline and monitor for any unusual changes.

Factors That Influence Resting Heart Rate

Resting heart rate doesn’t just vary from one person to another, it can change for each of us from one day to the next. The following factors play a role in overall heart health and can influence your resting heart rate.

Having cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes

Body position (standing up or lying down, for example)

If you have a diagnosed heart condition, your medications and the nature of your diagnosis can potentially impact your resting heart rate, too. This is why it’s important to speak with a doctor about what your target heart rate should be.

There are two other important numbers related to your heart health: maximum heart rate and target heart rate.

Your maximum heart rate is generally the highest pulse you can get. It’s the rate your heart beats at when it’s working hardest to meet your oxygen needs. It plays a big role in determining your aerobic capacity, which is how much oxygen your body can consume.

For a rough sense of what a healthy maximum heart rate is for you, subtract your age from 220. For example, a 40-year-old has a maximum heart rate of 180 and a 50-year-old has a maximum heart rate of 170, as shown in the chart below. However, it’s important to remember that this is just a guide. Your individual maximum heart rate may be higher or lower. Your doctor can help you determine what your specific range should be.

It’s not possible to push your heart to its full aerobic capacity for an entire workout session — maximum heart rate can only be sustained for a short period of time. This is where target heart rate enters the picture. It’s the number to aim for while exercising, which varies depending on the intensity of your physical activity. For moderately intense physical activities, target heart rate is typically 50-75% of your maximum heart rate. During more vigorous exercise, it’s about 70-85% of the maximum. The chart below shows average target heart rate zones by age.

These numbers offer general guidelines, but each person’s situation is different. If you have a heart condition or take medication, talk to your doctor about recommended types of exercise and what your target heart rate should be. Keep in mind that many people begin with a lower target heart rate and gradually work their way up.

An active lifestyle is key to both lowering your resting heart rate and increasing your target heart rate zones. So if you’re concerned about your heart rate, the best thing you can do is exercise more frequently. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, which can involve:

The following lifestyle changes can also help you lower your resting heart rate and increase your target heart rate zones:

Bring more mindfulness into your day with meditation and breathing exercises, as anxiety and stress can elevate heart rate. 

Avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine.

Drink plenty of water since dehydration can cause blood to thicken, which makes your heart work harder.

It may take several months before these lifestyle changes affect your heart rate, so be patient and remember that each small step will add up to better long-term heart health.

While resting heart rate can alert you to any changes in your heart’s functioning, there are various factors involved in your risk for heart disease, including your family history as well as these lesser-known risks. With heart health, it’s important to talk with your doctor about the bigger picture more so than focusing on any single number, or getting caught up on what “normal” means for other people.

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