High Blood Pressure

My Doctor has been getting me to self monitor my blood pressure the last 3 months after a check up showed it to be high. At this mornings visit the doctor looked at the results and said that although some of the results look good there are enough high readings that he should be thinking about prescribing medication. We agreed to investigate further first though and I am now waiting to arrange a 24 hour blood pressure test.

In the last 2 years I have been exercising regularly and steadily losing weight from the point where my BMI (Body Mass Index) was in the obese range to now where I am just outside the healthy range. I expect to reach a BMI of 25 early in the new year allowing for a bit of weight gain over christmas. I currently train about an average of 14 hours a week of swimming / cycling / running and weights, eat healthily and have virtually given up alcohol. I am now in training for the Outlaw Ironman distance Triathlon next July.

My question is for those in the know are there certain types of medications I should be avoiding as an endurance athlete? obviously I will discuss with my doctor beforehand but would like to do some research before I start taking any medication.

Beta blockers can be used as part of a mix of medications depending on what your resting heart rate is, they will help the BP problem but will limit your upper heart rates so may make it more difficult to push hard.  With luck your continuing programme will get you to a good BP level.

I would not take beta blockers unless absolutely necessary as they can have a significant effect on performance.  I have been taking candesartan tablets for quite a few years now, I started at 4mg p.d. then after a few years it was increased to 8mg p.d. after which my blood pressure stabilised.  Also try and avoid being prescribed diuretics for obvious reasons

HONK - Beta blockers are probably the main one to watch.  However, there is a well defined protocol now for starting treatment for high blood pressure and beta blockers are now well down the list - usually reserved for when one or two agents alone isn't doing the job.

Best of luck with the Outlaw

Honk, sounds like me. The doctor said I had slightly high blood pressure and he wanted me to self test. I just ignored him and carried on.

Honk, I was also in a similar position a few years back - I did the 24 hr test, which was horrible and stressfull and only likely to raise your blood pressure! I had blood tests (liver and kidney function) and ended up seeing a cardiologist and having the whole, ECG, stress test etc. Nothing was wrong apart from slightly raised BP and that was only sometimes.

I really didn't want to medicate so, after a bit of researcg, I started to follow the DASH diet; LOTS of fruit and veg (7 -9 portions a day), wholegrains, low fat, low salt and have manged to generally keep my BP within the acceptable range. I did have a fairly healthy diet beofre but this did make a difference, it's worth looking into, if you haven't already.

Totally agree with CB69 whose diet seems pretty similar to mine, although I didn't realise it had a specific name!

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm hoping a bit more weight loss will bring the BP down enough that I dont have to medicate, will look into the DASH diet but it does sound similar to what i'm already doing. still some small changes could make all the difference.

Mr Soup takes Lisinopril. He did his 41st marathon today. He has no side effects at all and it works. Don't be scared of tablets, high bp isn't healthy. 

Lisinopril isn't a beta-blocker and it's bbs that are liable to have an impact on your running. I refused to take them and after arguing about 7 times with me they gave up and gave me a nicer alternative instead. Also as Neil says there is a very dangerous effect called rebound tachycardia which you can get if you suddenly stop a bb dosage. Cardiologists love bbs and runners hate 'em.

When you say "high" BP, what levels are we talking about?

my highest readings have been about 150/105 for a male aged 43. 

Let us know how it goes Honk and fingers crossed.

Not a medical man but your highest readings could be worse. I was up to about 180 / 135 when I was first diagnosed about nine years ago. Was 120 / 77 when I had my latest check up last week and beta blocker free since early October.

Good luck Honk. Don't be scared of Losartan. Its better than high blood pressure. I wouldn't want a beta blocker though. Talk to your doctor about your fears. 

finished the test but computer problems meant they couldnt download results whilst i was there, so nurse suggested I book an appointment with a doctor for a weeks time.

so off i go to book an appointment only to be told they are fully booked till March and I need to phone in each morning to try to get to see a doctor. GRRRR no wonder my blood pressure is high.

On the plus side my wife tells me 2 of the doctors there are marathon runners so I will try and get an appointment with one of them.