NJ Cops May 2014 | Page 76

76 TO YOUR HEALTH NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MAY 2014 Healthy Living Tips From Ask Our Physician John Hill, BA RRT-NPS, Administrative Director Respiratory Services at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, answers your question: Green tea may block beta-blocker In a small study, researchers have found a possible complication associated with drinking green tea while taking the beta-blocker Nadolol (Corgard). In the study, which involved 10 participants and was published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, levels of the high blood pressure/angina medication after taking a single 30-mg dose were lower among green tea drinkers. Participants drank either the tea or water for 14 days; tea drinkers saw Nadolol levels that were 76 percent lower than those who drank water — possibly because ingredients in green tea hinder medication absorption in the intestine. The study’s authors suggested avoiding green tea for those on the medication; however, it’s worth noting that the study didn’t prove green tea caused the drop, nor do the findings necessarily mean danger for other heart meds. Nadolol isn’t a common heart drug in the U.S., and larger studies are needed to determine how green tea interacts with drugs like it. Speak with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about possible interactions with your blood pressure medications. I just received a lung transplant in Philadelphia and am hoping to do my rehab closer to home. Can Deborah help me? ~ Frank S., Medford JOHN HILL, BA RRT-NPS Absolutely. Not only does DEBORAH have a complete stateof-the-art Pulmonary Rehab Center that is already helping enrolled lung-transplant patients, but we also ]