Some common side effects include dizziness

Clinic, 2019). Some common side effects include dizziness, hyperkalemia, and angioedema
(Mayo Clinic, 2019). While taking Olmesartan, some have reported intestinal problems; patients
will need to contact the doctor for severe diarrhea (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Since ARBs can increase
potassium levels, patients need to talk with their physician if taking any potassium supplements.
ARBs may also increase blood concentration of the drug lithium (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Another
teaching point for patient’s is to not take this medication if planning on getting pregnant,
pregnant, and/or breastfeeding (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
Beta Blockers (also known as Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents)

HEART FAILURE
10
These medications reduce the blood pressure and slow the heart rate down. The hormone
epinephrine gets blocked by the beta blockers (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Beta blockers help open
arteries and veins by making the heart beat slower and with less force (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
These medications also lessen the chances of dying unexpectedly and reduce the risk of
abnormal heart rhythms (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Common side effects from these medications
include fatigue, weight gain, and cold hands or feet (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Less common side
effects include trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, and depression (Mayo Clinic, 2019). These
medications can trigger asthma attacks; therefore, beta blockers aren’t usually used with patients
with asthma (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Teaching points for patients with diabetes need to know that
beta blockers can block the symptom of a rapid heartbeat for hypoglycemia (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
Beta blockers should never be stop abruptly due to risk of heart attack or other heart problems
(Mayo Clinic, 2019).
United States has a value of 4.2 percent of people with heart disease (America’s Health
Rankings United Health Foundation, n.d.). Utah being the healthiest state with heart disease with
a total of 2.4 percent and West Virginia being the least-healthy with heart disease at 8.3 percent
(America’s Health Rankings United Health Foundation, n.d.). Illinois is ranked number 6, with a
total of 3.4 percent of the population with heart disease (America’s Health Rankings United
Health Foundation, n.d.). According to Cook County Department of Public Health, the number of
deaths due to heart disease in 2010 was 5,170 (Cook County Department of Public Health,
2013). In 2017, the number of deaths due to heart disease was 5,121 (Cook County Department
of Public Health, 2019). When comparing these two numbers even though there isn’t a huge
difference, the number is decreasing over the course of seven years. According to the graph from
the Chicago Health Atlas, in the year 2000, there were 303.5 people who died due to heart

HEART FAILURE
11
disease per 100,000 population in Chicago (Chicago Health Atlas, n.d.). According to the same
graph, in the year of 2017, there were 201.3 people who died due to heart disease per 100,000
population in Chicago (Chicago Health Atlas, n.d.). Even though it isn’t necessarily heart failure
specific, the graph shows that the death rates are trending down over the years with heart disease.