Urgent warning to hay fever sufferers using over-the-counter drugs that ‘affect the heart and blood pressure’

A HEART health expert has issued a warning over common hay fever treatments that may affect blood pressure or cause palpitations.

Some over-the-counter could be dangerous to people with heart issues, the specialist warned.

As the UK basks in warmer – with temperatures tipping into the 20s in some parts of the country – rising pollen counts might throw a damper on things for sufferers.

Warnings for ‘very high' pollen counts are in place for the South West and South East of , as well as the today, according to the Met Office.

Meanwhile, the East Midlands, the East and of and will be buffeted ‘high' levels of pollen.

Brits will get some relief over the weekend, but pollen counts are expected to climb again on Monday.

Many will likely flock to pharmacies for relief from their runny nose, streaming eyes, itchy throat and sneezing.

But people with pre-existing heart or circulatory issues should be cautious about their medication choices, Julie Ward, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation.

Some common treatments – including and – could have an effect on your heart or blood pressure, so it's worth consulting your doctor before taking them.

There are several types of medicines you cantake to ease maddening hay fever symptoms – though the three main ones are steroidnasal sprays, antihistamines and decongestants.

Here are two types of treatments that are worth being wary of if you have or :

1. Decongestants

According to Julie, decongestantsalso require caution if you have a heart or circulatory condition.

This is because some contain drugslike pseudoephedrine – a common ingredient in products like – which constrictsblood vessels.

“This can raise your bloodpressure andheart rateand causepalpitations,” Julie wrote.

If your heartbeat becomes noticeable and you have a fluttering or pounding feeling in your chest, you may be experiencing heart palpitations.

“Because of this, the NHS does not recommend decongestants for anyone with high blood pressure or a heart or circulatory disease,” the cardiac nurse went on.

“If you need a decongestant, talk to yourdoctor or pharmacist, and always read the medicine information leaflet before takinga hay fever medication as some combineantihistamines with decongestants.

“If you experience heart palpitations,which feel like your heart is racing orskipping a beat, after taking a hay fevermedicine, stop taking it and consultyour doctor.”

2. Antihistamines

Antihistamines like loratadine – sold under the name Clarityn –and cetirizine, known as Piriteze, are generallysafe for people with high blood pressure andheartand circulatory diseases, Julie said.

They work by blocking chemicals inyour blood called histamines that causehay fever symptoms.

But another type of antihistamine, calledfexofenadine – sold under the names Allevia or Telfast – can lead to a fastor irregular heartbeat.

You should talk to yourdoctor or pharmacist before taking it, the nurse advised.

Older antihistamines likechlorphenamine – known as Piriton – can also cause drowsiness.

If you already suffer from fatigue from a heart condition, these might not be the best choice for you.

Steroid nasal sprayslike Beconase, Benacort and Pirinase, meanwhile, are considered safe for peoplewithhigh blood pressure andheart and circulatory conditions.

These sprays areoften the first port of call for people sufferingfrom hay fever, as they reduce inflammation in the nose andsinuses.

“Make sureyou stick to the recommended dose” if you're taking them, Julie noted.