I have recently been diagnosed with hypertension, and it looks like I will need to join others on medication to control it. It came a surprise since I do not smoke or drink, am not overweight, try to eat right, swim very regularly, and feel great. I guess this body is getting old and starting to break down!
I will assume some swimmers are using medication to control high blood pressure. Know of any issues with hypertension, medications, and swimming? What do I have to look forward to?
Ray, sorry to hear you're joining the HBP club! It runs in my family too. I take Norvasc, which is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump and reducing its workload. My doctor prescribed a calcium channel blocker rather than a beta blocker, because he knew I was a swimmer and didn't want me to feel fatigued. The only down side I've found to Norvasc is that it makes my hands and feet swell sometimes. On the bright side, it has had the beneficial side effect of nearly eliminating my migraine headaches. Given a choice between migraines and fat feet, I'll take fat feet any day! I don't think it's had any impact on my swimming (I'm about as slow as I always was!).
Meg
Ray, sorry to hear you're joining the HBP club! It runs in my family too. I take Norvasc, which is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump and reducing its workload. My doctor prescribed a calcium channel blocker rather than a beta blocker, because he knew I was a swimmer and didn't want me to feel fatigued. The only down side I've found to Norvasc is that it makes my hands and feet swell sometimes. On the bright side, it has had the beneficial side effect of nearly eliminating my migraine headaches. Given a choice between migraines and fat feet, I'll take fat feet any day! I don't think it's had any impact on my swimming (I'm about as slow as I always was!).
Meg
