High blood pressure (in athletes)

[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.

[channlluv]

Blood pressure problems run in my family, too, and I take Lisinopril, as well. I have to be careful, though, when I do longer workout rides because my bp will drop too much. My doctor told me to not take a pill on a day I'm doing a long workout. I also have to monitor my blood pressure at home. I have a digital cuff and a journal and I take my blood pressure at least once a week.

Roxy

[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.

[tulip]

It sounds like alot of people here go to the doctor alot. Curious--how often do you go? I go once a year max; sometimes I extend it to once every two years. Then it's only to my women's health nurse practitioner for my annualish exam.

The last time I went to the doctor for a "check up," she told me that I only need to see her if I get sick. Otherwise, I'm healthy and keep doing what I'm doing. Fine with me; I haven't been to see her for nearly two years. That time was because of bad tendinitis in my arm from typing and mousing too much.

[Crankin]

I agree that numbers should talk. That's why I am changing. When I told her "I rode my bike 3,227 miles in 2010, I got a blank stare and she continued on to ask me if my marriage was OK.

Tulip, I go to the doctor when I have to. I used to be there, lots. Usually now, it's twice a year for sinus infections/allergy related stuff. I go for my annual gyno exam, and I see an endocrinologist for my osteoporosis. This year I decided to see my PCP for an overall check up, get all of the blood work, etc. That's when I was asked about the stair climbing/chest pain.

[zoom-zoom]

It sounds like alot of people here go to the doctor alot. Curious--how often do you go? I go once a year max; sometimes I extend it to once every two years. Then it's only to my women's health nurse practitioner for my annualish exam.

1x/year for pap. 2x/year for asthma follow-ups. In 5+ years of running and biking I have only had one injury that sent me to the doctor...well, aside from that sprain that had me in urgent care for an x-ray a week after the fact (I was pretty sure it wasn't a fracture, but everyone else urged me to have it confirmed). For a while I was in the office every couple of months with sinus issues...the neti pot put a stop to that garbage!

[soprano]

It sounds like alot of people here go to the doctor alot. Curious--how often do you go?

Chronic migraines here, plus my cardiologist is convinced that I have a connective tissue disorder (I am not convinced myself, but it's fun to see my heart on TV) so they like to see my face pretty often. I do think that there is something else wrong with me that has yet to be identified. I am naturally neither energetic nor strong. If I don't eat extremely well, or get lots of exercise, I feel like crap and get very lethargic very fast. Working full time is a struggle for me. Bike commuting has been a lifesaver in terms of keeping me fit enough to make it through a normal day.

I often get the impression that many people feel that being healthy leads to an active lifestyle, and not the other way around. Drives me nuts.

[lo123]

I have high bp, diagnosed at 28. My mother was diagnosed with it at the same age.
I was having horrible headaches and my vision got worse--at its worst bp was 160/95. I now take bystolic, a beta blocker. The drug choice was right for me because I have a congenital heart defect too, and increased blood pressure is bad for it. I don't care for the beta blocker with exercise, but it helps me to keep the other heart stuff under control so I'm good.

It sounds like alot of people here go to the doctor alot. Curious--how often do you go?

oh lord.. I hate thinking about this...
1. rheumatologist once every 4 weeks = ~13 appointments per year
2. pulmonologist = 2 appointments per year
3. cardiologist = 1 appointment per year (more if needed)
4. PCP = 1 for checkup and usually 5 or so more for sinus infections, etc. = ~6 per year
5. OB/GYN = 1 appointment per year
6. dermatologst = 1 appointment per year (more if needed)

yeesh.. so at least 24 appointments a year. that's a depressing number.

BUT, I would need more appointments if I weren't cycling. Cycling has allowed me to exercise despite several chronic health issues. It's also kept me from needing to use my cane or wheelchair in the past 4 years. Exercise changed my life.