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
Disclaimer - I am not a doctor, nutritionist, etc.
I believe you overstate the role of salt/sodium. I don't think you WANT salt to cause retention of fluids. Instead if you are sweating and losing fluids you should simply replace the sodium lost during exercise. The goal should be to maintain the same chemical balance. Sweating and loss of fluid is a natural activity and is one way your body regulates its temperature. If you are maintaining a high salt intake normally you are contributing to hypertension of course and interfering with your body's normal processing of fluids.
I agree with hofffam. You need a water bottle.
I am a nurse and work on neuro ICU. I deal with hemorrhagic stroke patients all the time. One of the causes of this type of stroke is HTN. It is interesting to see how you guys have been dealing with and thinking about HTN.
For diet, it's a good idea to keep tracking what you eat for about 1-2 wks before you meet with RD. Make sure you write down everything you eat and drink including amount if possible.
I am not sure about taking supplement. Maybe because I would like to see people do better job on life style modification? Can you work on your diet for a while to see if you can get what you need from food????
There is a great web site by American Heart Association.
http://www.americanheart.org
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Former Member
Disclaimer - I am not a doctor, nutritionist, etc.
I believe you overstate the role of salt/sodium. I don't think you WANT salt to cause retention of fluids. Instead if you are sweating and losing fluids you should simply replace the sodium lost during exercise. The goal should be to maintain the same chemical balance. Sweating and loss of fluid is a natural activity and is one way your body regulates its temperature. If you are maintaining a high salt intake normally you are contributing to hypertension of course and interfering with your body's normal processing of fluids.
I agree with hofffam. You need a water bottle.
I am a nurse and work on neuro ICU. I deal with hemorrhagic stroke patients all the time. One of the causes of this type of stroke is HTN. It is interesting to see how you guys have been dealing with and thinking about HTN.
For diet, it's a good idea to keep tracking what you eat for about 1-2 wks before you meet with RD. Make sure you write down everything you eat and drink including amount if possible.
I am not sure about taking supplement. Maybe because I would like to see people do better job on life style modification? Can you work on your diet for a while to see if you can get what you need from food????
There is a great web site by American Heart Association.
http://www.americanheart.org
