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
I still take the bp medicine, it's been what 6 or 7 years now? Still just 12.5 mg a day.
Most of my weight lifting is in the 8-12 rep range. For something I'm stressing that day (like a bench press), I'll start with 15 at a very light weight, and build to maybe 5 or 6 heavy. But the majority is in that 8-12 range.
I've also completed one marathon, and continue to train for others. Was going to do one this fall, but due to an injury I deferred to next year. But I really think this helps more than anything. It takes off tons of weight, body fat, and my blood pressure at my lightest was around 110/70.
At my last routine doctor visit last month my blood pressure was about 118/72.
I throw little bits about this over in my blog here, when you have some time take a look.
I still take the bp medicine, it's been what 6 or 7 years now? Still just 12.5 mg a day.
Most of my weight lifting is in the 8-12 rep range. For something I'm stressing that day (like a bench press), I'll start with 15 at a very light weight, and build to maybe 5 or 6 heavy. But the majority is in that 8-12 range.
I've also completed one marathon, and continue to train for others. Was going to do one this fall, but due to an injury I deferred to next year. But I really think this helps more than anything. It takes off tons of weight, body fat, and my blood pressure at my lightest was around 110/70.
At my last routine doctor visit last month my blood pressure was about 118/72.
I throw little bits about this over in my blog here, when you have some time take a look.
