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 am still working on the low-salt diet. It is hard to come up with ideas of meals and snacks that are low-salt and somewhat exciting to eat. So far, I think I am able to limit myself to the 1500 mg of sodium per day, but it gets tough when I cannot calculate the sodium values. For example, we (wife and I) made eggs florentine for breakfast (Christmas breakfast), and I have no idea how much salt is in that. We had sushi the other night and I really limited myself to the soy sauce. If the food I am eating doesn't have labels I can only guess.
I have been eating celery - 4 stalks a day, because I read several articles saying that celery can lower BP. Has anyone heard of this?
"Celery contains a naturally occurring chemical called "apigenin" which has been shown to dilate the blood vessels and contribute to preventing high blood pressure. Celery also contains very small amounts of a chemical in called 3-n-butylphtalide (3nb) which lowers blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels. 3nb also lowers the level of stress hormones called catacholamines."
www.healthstatus.com/.../Celery_Lowers_Blood_Pressure.html
I don't really feel like my BP has decreased dramatically, but it has only been a week, if that. In the morning it is highest, an hour after swimming or running, it is great (normal). I have lost 6 pounds having to count my sodium intake. When I know I have 1500 mg to spend, I don't want to waste them on certain foods, and I will save them for some meals.
It is possible to ingest 0 mg of sodium a day, but I imagine that is NOT advised. What is the minimum amount of sodium we need, especially as swimmers/runners? How do you know or feel when you are low on sodium?
Also, how soon should one see results from doing the low-salt diet? My doctor said 2 months, but I am growing impatient after almost a week.
Thanks.
The RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) for sodium is 2400 mg (2.4 g).
en.wikipedia.org/.../Reference_Daily_Intake
I don't make a special effort to reduce salt intake. I have always been light with the shaker. I am a bit sensitive to the taste of salty foods - foods that don't taste salty to my wife taste salty to me.
I notice that after a meal high in sodium (like Chinese food) my body hoards water. Then several hours later it just lets it go. That is a clear sign for me that I had too much sodium.
I am still working on the low-salt diet. It is hard to come up with ideas of meals and snacks that are low-salt and somewhat exciting to eat. So far, I think I am able to limit myself to the 1500 mg of sodium per day, but it gets tough when I cannot calculate the sodium values. For example, we (wife and I) made eggs florentine for breakfast (Christmas breakfast), and I have no idea how much salt is in that. We had sushi the other night and I really limited myself to the soy sauce. If the food I am eating doesn't have labels I can only guess.
I have been eating celery - 4 stalks a day, because I read several articles saying that celery can lower BP. Has anyone heard of this?
"Celery contains a naturally occurring chemical called "apigenin" which has been shown to dilate the blood vessels and contribute to preventing high blood pressure. Celery also contains very small amounts of a chemical in called 3-n-butylphtalide (3nb) which lowers blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles that line the blood vessels. 3nb also lowers the level of stress hormones called catacholamines."
www.healthstatus.com/.../Celery_Lowers_Blood_Pressure.html
I don't really feel like my BP has decreased dramatically, but it has only been a week, if that. In the morning it is highest, an hour after swimming or running, it is great (normal). I have lost 6 pounds having to count my sodium intake. When I know I have 1500 mg to spend, I don't want to waste them on certain foods, and I will save them for some meals.
It is possible to ingest 0 mg of sodium a day, but I imagine that is NOT advised. What is the minimum amount of sodium we need, especially as swimmers/runners? How do you know or feel when you are low on sodium?
Also, how soon should one see results from doing the low-salt diet? My doctor said 2 months, but I am growing impatient after almost a week.
Thanks.
The RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) for sodium is 2400 mg (2.4 g).
en.wikipedia.org/.../Reference_Daily_Intake
I don't make a special effort to reduce salt intake. I have always been light with the shaker. I am a bit sensitive to the taste of salty foods - foods that don't taste salty to my wife taste salty to me.
I notice that after a meal high in sodium (like Chinese food) my body hoards water. Then several hours later it just lets it go. That is a clear sign for me that I had too much sodium.
