High blood pressure (in athletes)

[tulip]

Susan, I hope you find a resolution for your husband's high blood pressure. My ex MIL had it (but was/is obese with serious anxiety and hyperchondria) and it was very difficult her and everyone around her.

I figure I am just a normal person in the doctor-visit department, but I am very fortunate that I only go when I need to, which has been very, very rare. I don't have allergies or any other issues that would require a visit. I've never been to a dermatologist, although I would have benefited as a teenager! I have olive skin and no trouble spots as far as I can tell. I have had high cholesterol in the past, but that is under control through diet and exercise, and I was never on the high end that would require meds, just careful habits.

When I was a total stressbag a few years ago, I had back issues and hip issues and sinus issues...but those went away when I changed my situation.

So I go to a nurse practitioner for an annual exam and mammo every 18-months to 2 years, and my eye doctor every year for monitoring (no active issues for 25 years, but since I only have one good eye, I err on the side of caution for that). My glasses prescription haven't changed in about 10 years or more. I suspect that will change as I creep toward 50, though! I have good intentions about going to the dentist twice a year, but it's usually only once a year, if that, for a cleaning.

I'll count my blessings and do all I can to keep it this way!

[emily_in_nc]

I guess I am guilty of under-reporting! In addition to my yearly preventive physical with my PCP, I also go to my dermatologist once a year for a full body scan (I have lots of moles but nothing has been a problem yet), get an eye exam and new glasses yearly (seems like my Rx is forever changing), and go to the dentist twice a year for cleanings. Other than that, I did just go for my first colonoscopy since I turned 50 in April, and I also went to a pain managemant doc recently for my old cycling accident injury (fractured pelvis). He prescribed a TENS unit, which has helped a LOT. So, I don't anticipate any more doctor visits for some time to come!

[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.

[OakLeaf]

Well I broke down and made an appointment. It's become a vicious cycle, where I'm anxious about my BP, the increased anxiety leads to more inactivity, and the inactivity increases my BP. Now I get to be anxious about seeing the doctor too. (but I've promised myself I won't let her talk me into any other screenings that I'm opposed to)

I'm a bit reassured by a little bit of googling though, in particular these two: http://athletesheart.blogspot.com/20...-pressure.html http://www.drjohnm.org/2011/01/cw-pu...n-the-machine/

DH has been on an ACE inhibitor for about six months and although he's quite inactive, he hasn't had any side effects other than a slight cough. I'm hoping it will be the same for me. And that once my BP comes down the anxiety will become more manageable.

[Susan]

I wish you the best, OakLeaf.

DH started monitoring his BP at home and has significantly lower readings in this relaxed environment. He also limited his coffee intake. His readings are now normal most of the time and the doc didn't prescribe any medication so far.

[OakLeaf]

Thanks for your good wishes Susan.

I learned something else just now: arm position ENORMOUSLY influences BP readings.

http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v1...f/1001563a.pdf

My doctor's nurse has measured my BP in a supported horizontal position. I know I'm very white-coatish, always have been. But at stores, etc., and more recently at home, I've been measuring it in more of a dependent position. So did my acupuncture doctor who apparently should have known better. In all of those places I'd been getting readings that were still high enough that I made the appointment. Yesterday and this morning I took it in both positions and both times the diastolic was 20-25 mm lower.

Too late to cancel my appointment tomorrow, but I'll bring her a copy of this article, and it'll be a good opportunity to bring her my revised and much tightened Living Will.

[Crankin]

OK, maybe I am really dumb, but what exactly is the "dependent" position? Like when your arm is hanging down, not resting on anything?

Just asking.

[OakLeaf]

"Dependent" is hanging down below heart level, "unsupported" means it's not resting on something.

So with your arm on the armrest of a chair (e.g.) it could be supported but still dependent.

In one of those drugstore machines, for someone like me with short humeri, it's both dependent and unsupported (or I guess partially supported, since my forearm is on the rest but my elbow isn't).

[Deborajen]

Well, I just got added to the high BP group. I turned 50 just over a week ago and "celebrated" by being put on Lisinopril. I'm not quite as active as I was a year and a half ago - I used to run 8-10 miles per week, worked out (rowing machine or recumbent bike) once or twice a week and rode my bike a couple times a week. Now I walk or run my dog EVERY day (30-45 min. per day walking or 20-30 min. running; we only run once a week or twice a week max and it's run/walk for 2 miles), play golf once a week (walking the course with a push cart), work out occasionally - so I'm not quite as active, but I'm not sedentary. My mom and my brother have both had BP issues but have managed them with diet/exercise and just some short-term meds, so there really isn't a strong family history.

I'm surprised by this - it's frustrating! I've been trying to pick up running again but yesterday's dose, which was my first, made me dizzy and my BP was 114/64 after a round of golf. It had been in the 140's - 150's systolic with the diastolic number consistently in the 80's for the last three weeks. My doctor requested I take my BP at least three times per week, different times per day, for three weeks and give him the readings. I bought a cuff to measure at home to make this easier. I want to keep this under control, though, and I don't think taking a reading three times per week is enough information since I'm not sedentary. It seems like I should check after vigorous exercise, after work (which has been VERY stressful), first thing in the morning, etc. Does this sound sensible, or is it too much information?

[Pip]

I'm 39 and have had borderline high blood pressure for years. The irony is that I have an autoimmune disorder which in theory leads to low pressure. My endo theorised that one my meds might be bumping the blood pressure up a little too high, but I need it at this dose to ensure my renin levels are good, so what can you do? On the other hand, high blood pressure also seems to be genetic on my mother's side of the family. I'm lucky that my GP understands my levels of physical activity, and that she and her practice nurse monitor my health regularly. I also see my endocrinologist once or twice a year. With any luck I'll be able to stay off the blood pressure meds for a few more years yet!

[lovelygamer]

One thing you might consider is switching the kind of salt you use. I would ask a human doctor before doing this, but sometimes in heart patients they have them use a potassium chloride instead of sodium salt. I don't know what the taste difference is, but especially if you are on a thiazide diuretic (which tends to help you retain sodium and lose potassium) it might be a viable alternative. I have no evidence or proof to back that statement up, but it might be worth looking in to. Another thing I have read is that sea salt may not have the negative side effects on cardiovascular health that regular salt does.

It's tough when you are doing everything right and still your health isn't perfect. I have a good friend who is fit and lean and his bad cholesterol is off the chart, despite a vegetarian diet and cholesterol losing drugs. But just think about how much worse it might be if you weren't doing everything you could already, right?

I have done this before and the potassium does taste different, although it has the bitterness that we identify with salt. You get used to it in a few weeks. I only switched at the advice of a doctor and I didn't have to keep using it long term.

Good luck. I don't know much about BP problems. I do know a 12 year old with them right now though, and it baffles me. She is struggling with it because of the "no activity" rules her doctor gave her. She can't play outside the rest of the summer. Mine has always been fine and I'm not even at a healthy weight.

[Fredwina]

I have broderline HT and have been taking Lisinopril for about 6 years with no problems. So trhe meds and reactions may vary from person to person.
Another thing I did not see is the time of day has an influnce on Bp(it starts out low in the morning and climbs thru the day)