I did a search on hypertension on this site so it seems like I'm am not alone here and there is quite a resource to draw from. So perhaps I can get some idea what I am looking at with my situation.
I'm only 34, started swimming again nearly a year ago. Partly because I new I had high blood pressure, but mostly I started swimming for overall health and fitness benifits. Since then I have lost roughly 30 pounds. At 6'2" I now weigh about 200 pounds. I would expect that all this work would have some impact on my blood pressure. Especially since I rarely drink, and my diet isn't terrible. I generally eat healthy meals. But the sad truth is that it hasn't changed. Nearly a year ago my BP was 140 over 100. This week... The same. Absolutely no change!!! As a result, my doctor put me on Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. So naturally I concerned about a few things.
1. Does this mean I will be taking BP medication for the rest of my life?
2. How will this impact my swimming/ability to train? is there a better medication that I should ask about so there are not adverse effects?
3. Do I need to start taking things easier in the pool?
4. Since I have a family history of hypertension does this mean there is really nothing I can do aside from medication?
5. Anything else I need to be concerned about?
Thanks in advance for any advice or helpful comments.
Kevin
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by Mswimming
1. Does this mean I will be taking BP medication for the rest of my life?
Possibly, but not necessarily.
2. How will this impact my swimming/ability to train? is there a better medication that I should ask about so there are not adverse effects?
From what I've heard, ACE inhibitors don't impede athletic training as much as some other anti-hypertensives.
3. Do I need to start taking things easier in the pool?
Probably not. What you have is a stage I hypertension. That's likely to be helped by swimming.
4. Since I have a family history of hypertension does this mean there is really nothing I can do aside from medication?
Absolutely not! First, you could stand to lose some more pounds. Second, try reducing your salt intake (if you haven't already). Third, I'd suggest that you learn to take your own blood pressure and monitor it regularly, since you may be able to learn to lower it a little through biofeedback. Fourth, I'd suggest taking supplements with the RDA of calcium and magnesium, since a deficiency in these minerals can contribute to hypertension. Fifth, I'd suggest supplementing with potassium and coenzyme Q10, since they may help to combat hypertension. Sixth, you might want to consider taking the amino acid arginine, since its action as a nitric oxide releaser may help to combat hypertension.
5. Anything else I need to be concerned about?
Obviously, work on reducing any other risk factors you may have, like high serum cholesterol, low HDL, high triglycerides, and high homocysteine. You may also want to consider having your C-reactive protein levels monitored regularly.
Bob
Originally posted by Mswimming
1. Does this mean I will be taking BP medication for the rest of my life?
Possibly, but not necessarily.
2. How will this impact my swimming/ability to train? is there a better medication that I should ask about so there are not adverse effects?
From what I've heard, ACE inhibitors don't impede athletic training as much as some other anti-hypertensives.
3. Do I need to start taking things easier in the pool?
Probably not. What you have is a stage I hypertension. That's likely to be helped by swimming.
4. Since I have a family history of hypertension does this mean there is really nothing I can do aside from medication?
Absolutely not! First, you could stand to lose some more pounds. Second, try reducing your salt intake (if you haven't already). Third, I'd suggest that you learn to take your own blood pressure and monitor it regularly, since you may be able to learn to lower it a little through biofeedback. Fourth, I'd suggest taking supplements with the RDA of calcium and magnesium, since a deficiency in these minerals can contribute to hypertension. Fifth, I'd suggest supplementing with potassium and coenzyme Q10, since they may help to combat hypertension. Sixth, you might want to consider taking the amino acid arginine, since its action as a nitric oxide releaser may help to combat hypertension.
5. Anything else I need to be concerned about?
Obviously, work on reducing any other risk factors you may have, like high serum cholesterol, low HDL, high triglycerides, and high homocysteine. You may also want to consider having your C-reactive protein levels monitored regularly.
Bob
