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 don't know if ISH is treated differently from mo
re normal high blood pressure (where both numbers are elevated.)
Thanks in advance for any help you might provide.
forums.usms.org/blog.php
Of course you really need to have a thoughtful internist who knows you to put this into perspective...
I was always taught to worry more when then diatstolic is elevated on a chronic basis than when the systolic is elevated alone. Systolic elevation by itself can be from pain or stress. As a kid (14 yrs) I had elevated systolic BPs (although labile) with relatively low diastolics. My BP was often 140/ 70. I had a big workup at Boston Children's and then the nephrologist told me "you swimmers often have this.." I don't know what that meant, if anything. I am not sure if anyone still believes its true, but it was reassuring at the time and my blood pressure didn't become and issue again for about 25 years.
Are you taking your BP yourself? Or are you in a nervous situation when its being measured? If you are using a home cuff check it against a professional's to be sure its calibrated, have someone else take it for you, try to relax when it is being taken and don't look at the machine when they are doing it.
As far as anti-hypertensives...again you have to talk to your own doctor about what's best for you. There are some good reviews about athletes with hypertension which you can peruse or share with your physician. Personally I like the ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril) they work well, are available generic and don't appear to limit athletic performance. YMMV (as they say).
Disclaimers: This is my opinion and should not be taken as specific medical advice. I am not an expert in adults with hypertension, I am a pediatric pulmonologist. I am also a middle aged man who began swimming again, recently, after 25 years "away" in an effort to treat his own hypertension, obesity and mood lability -- so I've thought about these issues some in recent months.
I don't know if ISH is treated differently from mo
re normal high blood pressure (where both numbers are elevated.)
Thanks in advance for any help you might provide.
forums.usms.org/blog.php
Of course you really need to have a thoughtful internist who knows you to put this into perspective...
I was always taught to worry more when then diatstolic is elevated on a chronic basis than when the systolic is elevated alone. Systolic elevation by itself can be from pain or stress. As a kid (14 yrs) I had elevated systolic BPs (although labile) with relatively low diastolics. My BP was often 140/ 70. I had a big workup at Boston Children's and then the nephrologist told me "you swimmers often have this.." I don't know what that meant, if anything. I am not sure if anyone still believes its true, but it was reassuring at the time and my blood pressure didn't become and issue again for about 25 years.
Are you taking your BP yourself? Or are you in a nervous situation when its being measured? If you are using a home cuff check it against a professional's to be sure its calibrated, have someone else take it for you, try to relax when it is being taken and don't look at the machine when they are doing it.
As far as anti-hypertensives...again you have to talk to your own doctor about what's best for you. There are some good reviews about athletes with hypertension which you can peruse or share with your physician. Personally I like the ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril) they work well, are available generic and don't appear to limit athletic performance. YMMV (as they say).
Disclaimers: This is my opinion and should not be taken as specific medical advice. I am not an expert in adults with hypertension, I am a pediatric pulmonologist. I am also a middle aged man who began swimming again, recently, after 25 years "away" in an effort to treat his own hypertension, obesity and mood lability -- so I've thought about these issues some in recent months.
