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
About three years or so I was in the same situation and posted a message on this board. You may have even read it in your research. Whenever at the doctor's, my BP was elevated and I was told to get it checked out. I was not/am not overweight, don't smoke/drink, always exercise regularly, and had a reasonable diet. There was not much else to do that could bring the BP down since it seemed that lifestyle was not the culprit.
Then our LMSC had an article in the newsletter about an athlete runner in his 30's that had a stroke. He had elevated BP but never did anything about it, believing the athletic exercise and diet would take care of it. Wake up call.
I spoke with my doctor about my swimming needs and lifestyle, and was prescribed Lisinopril, 5mg daily, cost about $7 per month. It's been around for a long time, so it is well known. There are some known side effects possible in a few people, but they are not serious and I don't have any. About three years later, I am still on this and it keeps my BP acceptable. My experience is that it has not affected my swimming or training.
I hoped that someday I could stop taking the medication, but am realistic enough to know that for me as for most people, it's not likely. (I also hope that someday I drink beer as much as I want and break Masters world records.)
Are you a gambler?
About three years or so I was in the same situation and posted a message on this board. You may have even read it in your research. Whenever at the doctor's, my BP was elevated and I was told to get it checked out. I was not/am not overweight, don't smoke/drink, always exercise regularly, and had a reasonable diet. There was not much else to do that could bring the BP down since it seemed that lifestyle was not the culprit.
Then our LMSC had an article in the newsletter about an athlete runner in his 30's that had a stroke. He had elevated BP but never did anything about it, believing the athletic exercise and diet would take care of it. Wake up call.
I spoke with my doctor about my swimming needs and lifestyle, and was prescribed Lisinopril, 5mg daily, cost about $7 per month. It's been around for a long time, so it is well known. There are some known side effects possible in a few people, but they are not serious and I don't have any. About three years later, I am still on this and it keeps my BP acceptable. My experience is that it has not affected my swimming or training.
I hoped that someday I could stop taking the medication, but am realistic enough to know that for me as for most people, it's not likely. (I also hope that someday I drink beer as much as I want and break Masters world records.)
Are you a gambler?
