Do diuretics for hypertension affect body temperature?
Generally, whether antihypertensive diuretics affect body temperature mainly depends on the dosage. If the dosage of the antihypertensive diuretic is within the normal therapeutic range, it usually does not affect body temperature. However, if the dosage is excessive, it may influence body temperature. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Antihypertensive diuretics primarily exert their blood pressure-lowering effects by influencing the kidney's reabsorption of water and electrolytes, promoting urine production, and thereby reducing blood volume. They do not have a direct impact on the body's temperature regulation center. At normal therapeutic doses, this process of regulating water and salt metabolism typically does not interfere with the body's mechanisms for regulating temperature.
However, if the dose of the antihypertensive diuretic is too high, it may cause excessive diuresis. The body primarily dissipates heat through blood circulation in the skin surface and evaporation of sweat. When severe dehydration occurs due to excessive diuresis, blood volume decreases, leading to reduced skin blood circulation and diminished efficiency of heat dissipation, which may result in a mild increase in body temperature.
Patients are advised to strictly follow medical instructions when using antihypertensive diuretics in daily practice and avoid self-medicating, in order to ensure both the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy.