High blood pressure (in athletes)

[OakLeaf]

Since I already know that my food allergies cause palpitations and increased heart rate, I started poking around to see if they could cause hypertension too.

A while back Dianyla posted a chart of histamine pathways in the body. Yup, hypertension is on there.

Up until now it hasn't really been worth it to me to adhere strictly to my allergy diet. It was like a 30% improvement in quality of life for a 200% increase in hassle. But if it'll keep me off BP meds I'll work at it. Maybe your DH should try a challenge diet, especially if he has known allergies of any type.

[zoom-zoom]

My hubby is on a couple of low-dose BP meds. I'm not sure which ones, but the ones he was originally on caused horrible edema. What he's on now doesn't.

He's very active...high BP runs in his family...this is a family of slim cyclists and marathon runners. He's 20-30#s overweight, but this isn't the cause of his HBP--it would be there even at ideal weight.

He has started to stand at work. Fortunately he works for a major office furniture manufacturer, so he was able to change to a standing height desk and has a taller office chair when he needs to sit.

Can your hubby sit on a yoga ball if a taller desk is not an option? I know a few people who do this, since it helps to work the core and requires more work to stay upright.

Another thought is to look for a physician who understands the specific needs of athletes. We really lucked-out...our doc is an avid cyclist who often commutes to the office on his bike. We're really fortunate to have a PCP who treats us as athletes and not the same way he would treat the general couch potato public. Years ago I was having knee issues and my doc and his PA both helped me find a solution that didn't = stop running...many docs would have told me to quit being active, which is backwards.

[tulip]

As I understand it (but I'm no doctor), stress can really affect BP. If your husband's job is very stressful--to the point of affecting his health--it might be an opportunity to figure out how to lower that stress. I left a job that was so stressful that I had multiple health problems from the stress. I did not have high BP, but I serious bruxism, nearly chronic back and hip pain, and extra weight. I left that job and those issues resolved themselves.

Just something to think about as you and your husband figure out how best to be healthy and happy.

[emily_in_nc]

Regarding cutting back on salt to decrease BP, make sure to read this article from last week's Dr. Gabe Mirkin e-zine. I found it quite interesting. In a nutshell, he does not think the research supports cutting salt intake except in non-exercisers, and in fact, that it can be dangerous to do so in athletes:

http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine050811.html

Good luck!

[Susan]

Thank you for all your answers.

Crankin, that's what I meant, when they hear someone is being active or "doing sports" they think about a small biketour on the weekend. And it's ok, I guess they are right most of the time. Most people consider themselves "active" and think that they "eat well" even if they don't - and probably doctors are used to this.
Finding a physician that is more used to treating active people or even an athlete herself so that she can relate to what we do - I guess this would be great.

As far as I know, high bp is not common in DHs family, but he told me that he had high bp as teenager, so genetics could be a factor.

Regarding his job, DH cut back one work hour the last few days and slept a little longer than usual. He cut back on coffee. I don't know how long this will last, but I guess it won't do any harm
I tried to de-stress him a bit, took him for a small biketour in the evening and made some good-night tea.

Emily, this article is really interesting. Strange how different studies sometimes come to contradicting results. I think I will just continue to use enough salt to taste while not overdoing it - this seems to make the most sense to me.

[tulip]

Sounds like a good start, coming home one hour early, sleeping a little more, and having less coffee. How much coffee and other caffeine drinks does he drink?

[Crankin]

I know that we are about to change our primary care doctor and this is one of the big reasons. Our doctor stopped doing primary care and only does sleep studies now. The guy who worked with her brought his wife into the practice; he's just goofy and she's (no offense to anyone) a slightly overweight woman in her forties who questioned me if I had "chest pain when climbing stairs," when I told her I was concerned about my chest hurting/getting bronchitis or pneumonia when I had a sinus infection. It gets worse when you get over 55; I have noticed a distinct difference in the way I am spoken to by some medical people. They speak like i am a child and try to "explain" things like I'm a moron.
It is true that it helps to have a doctor that rides or runs or swims or something! My gynecologist is a tri-athlete; while she has gone a bit overboard (to the point of wearing very inappropriate attire at the health club, causing creepy guys to hit on her) after losing 125 lbs., when I talk to her about my concerns, she listens and totally understands. She doesn't tell me to slow down, even though I have various medical and sports injury things.

[soprano]

Thank you for all your answers.
Most people consider themselves "active" and think that they "eat well" even if they don't - and probably doctors are used to this.

I find that rather than saying that I'm active or that I get plenty of exercise, it helps to tell the doctor something solid like "I'm currently riding 80 miles a week." After that, they take my concerns about maintaining my lifestyle more seriously.

I ride for most of my transportation, and everyone at my cardiologist's office loves it when I come with helmet in hand

[zoom-zoom]

I find that rather than saying that I'm active or that I get plenty of exercise, it helps to tell the doctor something solid like "I'm currently riding 80 miles a week." After that, they take my concerns about maintaining my lifestyle more seriously.

Yes. #s put things into perspective. My doc knew I was a serious runner and not just a fitness "jogger" when I was training for marathons and putting in 45-55 miles/week on a regular basis and he approaches my care with this knowledge. How to treat someone doing relatively intense workouts 5-7 days/week is very different than it should be for someone doing the minimum 30 minutes 3x/week. A good physician should get this...if they don't I'd be taking my business elsewhere. But I think we have a responsibility to make them aware of the #s, too. Heck, we should be PROUD to present them with this info.