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
I know this thread is relatively old, but I had the rude awakening today that I have stage 1 hypertension. I appreciate being able to read about your experiences, it helps to know I am not the only one swimming with this.
For years, I have been around 130/80, and everytime I get measured for BP, the nurse would always say, "you should have this checked out." Recently, I had to get measured for an insurance exam, and my BP was averaging 144/80. I then decided to buy a device to help me track it at home, where it varies from 130-148/76-81. I am 6'6" tall and 230-235 lbs.
All I do is swim, 3-5 times a week for 60-90 minutes. I run once a week. I don't lift weights. I played college football, so the only weights I know how to lift are for building muscle, and everytime I get into the gym to start lifting, I put on weight in the form of bigger shoulders, chest, arms, ect. So I figure I would just swim and run, with the emphasis on swimming because I loathe running (unless it is an absolutely gorgeous day out).
Today, the doctor said he'd have a nutritionist contact me. I don't want to go on drugs, but with a family history of hypertension, the outlook is grim. I am afraid to cut out salt because my body needs it to retain fluids from sweating. I am afraid if I lose fluid from sweating during workouts, that I will cramp or worse, have an exertional migraine (which has happened twice from dieting and overexertion).
I am going to give this diet a fair try. It is hard though. EVERYTHING has salt in it. Unless I eat potatoes and bananas all day, I am not sure what to do. I don't feel like my diet is that bad as it is today.
Tell me about lifting though. Some of you mentioned how lifting helped reduce BP. What kinds of workouts should I be doing in the weight room to help me?
Thanks for the help!
I know this thread is relatively old, but I had the rude awakening today that I have stage 1 hypertension. I appreciate being able to read about your experiences, it helps to know I am not the only one swimming with this.
For years, I have been around 130/80, and everytime I get measured for BP, the nurse would always say, "you should have this checked out." Recently, I had to get measured for an insurance exam, and my BP was averaging 144/80. I then decided to buy a device to help me track it at home, where it varies from 130-148/76-81. I am 6'6" tall and 230-235 lbs.
All I do is swim, 3-5 times a week for 60-90 minutes. I run once a week. I don't lift weights. I played college football, so the only weights I know how to lift are for building muscle, and everytime I get into the gym to start lifting, I put on weight in the form of bigger shoulders, chest, arms, ect. So I figure I would just swim and run, with the emphasis on swimming because I loathe running (unless it is an absolutely gorgeous day out).
Today, the doctor said he'd have a nutritionist contact me. I don't want to go on drugs, but with a family history of hypertension, the outlook is grim. I am afraid to cut out salt because my body needs it to retain fluids from sweating. I am afraid if I lose fluid from sweating during workouts, that I will cramp or worse, have an exertional migraine (which has happened twice from dieting and overexertion).
I am going to give this diet a fair try. It is hard though. EVERYTHING has salt in it. Unless I eat potatoes and bananas all day, I am not sure what to do. I don't feel like my diet is that bad as it is today.
Tell me about lifting though. Some of you mentioned how lifting helped reduce BP. What kinds of workouts should I be doing in the weight room to help me?
Thanks for the help!
