What should patients avoid due to the risk of increased hypotension while taking Isosorbide Mononitrate?

Patients taking Isosorbide Mononitrate should avoid alcohol due to the increased risk of hypotension. Isosorbide Mononitrate is a nitrate used to prevent angina attacks by dilating blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. Alcohol can exacerbate this effect; it also has a vasodilatory effect on its own. When combined with the medication, the additive effect can lead to significant drops in blood pressure, which may result in dizziness, fainting, or more severe complications.

While high-fat foods, hot showers, and intense exercise can have various effects on cardiovascular health, they do not directly interact with Isosorbide Mononitrate in the same manner as alcohol. High-fat foods may affect overall health but are not specifically known to cause increased hypotension in this context. Hot showers might lead to vascular dilation, potentially causing some fluctuation in blood pressure, but this is generally less severe than the interaction with alcohol. Intense exercise can impact heart rate and blood pressure, but it is typically not a direct contraindication with Isosorbide Mononitrate as long as patients are monitored correctly.