Hypertension?

Some people even say to bring your own machine to the doctor's office to see how the drive there and the anxiety of being in the doctor's office affects your blood pressure. Useful, also, to calibrate your own monitor against the doctor's. You might not be able to re-calibrate yours but you'll know that yours is off by this or that much.

And, remember that the body does need a certain amount of salt to function properly. When I used to work in Saudi Arabia (extreme heat and nearly 99.99999% humidity) there were salt tablet dispensers next to every water cooler or fountain. We were told --by doctors -- to always rehydrate and to take a salt pill or two each and every time we drank. Perspiration also evacuates salt.

I'm a bit late to this thread but I hope I can add something. I am an internist who has treated many hundreds of people with hypertension. Most not nearly as active as Masters swimmers, but more than enough to give some broad perspectives. First, though hypertension should be carefully managed over the long term, stage I hypertension isn't a short term threat. It should still be managed, though. It is far worse off to intend to change your lifestyle somehow and ignore high readings for years. Its a bummer taking a pill, but by all means you should be able to find a bp medication that gives you no or almost no side effects; there are many available. Lifestyle management can be great for some, but on average we only get about 6-8 mm difference. It can be hard, but if you are motivated, use the DASH diet (you can google that). If you are stage I, give the lifestyle 6 months but don't ignore persistently high readings. Office hypertension is common, but you have to be careful in relying on home readings. Use an arm cuff, learn how to do it right; the right way to take your bp isn't hard, but there are a lot of ways to screw it up. BP is a moving target; highest in the first hour of the AM, lower during the day. You'll want to find your running average. And the target of home bp readings should be lower, probably 130/80, as for most of us our bp goes up in the office setting. That said, office readings are the most standardized assessment there is, and unless you can verify a strong discrepancy, I'd suggest you trust the office reading. There's no reason that hypertension should impede an active lifestyle. Even weights should be fine as long as the resistance is moderate and the reps are at least 5-6 (as a general rule). I also agree with making sure other vascular risk factors, such as blood sugar, lipids, and sleep apnea are addressed. Good luck, and don't let it slow you down!

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.

Even though I am not a doctor. Be very careful about how much you reduce your salt intake. I was told by my doctor that several people have had heart attacks because they reduced their salt intake too much.

The response to lifestyle modification is measured in months, not weeks. I'm sorry to trot out a tired old saying, but "Slow and steady wins the race". You do not want to reduce your sodium to zero; this would not be healthy, nor would it be appealing! Figuring out the sodium content of foods is a challenge. The best way to get the information you need would be to have a consultation with a dietician. There are charts and tables around that estimate the sodium content of a variety of whole foods, but I'm sorry I can't steer you to them. A dietician would be a very valuable resource. My suggestion would be to do a food diary for several days before you see one.

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.

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. When it comes to Chinese food, make sure some of the dishes contain lots of black tree fungus, which will lower your blood pressure almost right of way, despite the sodium content and MSG in the food. Black tree fungus can also be purchased dried in plastic packs at most Asian markets, so you can prepare at home after soaking in water.

When it comes to Chinese food, make sure some of the dishes contain lots of black tree fungus, which will lower your blood pressure almost right of way, despite the sodium content and MSG in the food. Black tree fungus can also be purchased dried in plastic packs at most Asian markets, so you can prepare at home after soaking in water. I have not heard of black tree fungus. Can you provide a URL to an article describing its effects on hypertension? Thanks.

I have not heard of black tree fungus. Can you provide a URL to an article describing its effects on hypertension? Thanks. Sorry, but I'm on my way to Chinatown, to have my first big bowl of Jai or Buddha's Delight to start the new year. I've been eating the stuff for over 20 years before the age of URL's. So maybe you might try googling it? Good Luck and happy new year.:bliss: