Early this spring I had to start taking ALtace to control my blood pressure. It is a small dosage but it seems like I now sweat more than ever. I have always been a heavy sweater but now on my long runs, my partners tell me that running next to me is like running next to a lawn sprinkler. After a couple of long runs this year I really crashed and burned bad. The humidity was very high (70% to 80%) so I think I might have just sweated myself into dehydration. I had been drinking at the pace that I normally have done but I guessing that isn’t enough. I had a simalar experience about a week ago after a long bike ride on Saturday. I thought I had recovered but my long Sunday run was just plain ugly.
I know I need to take the medication but wonder what type of adjustments I should make to my training or racing. I have taken it at breakfast because it is easier to remember to do it then. I asked the Dr. and he suggested that I not take it before racing or long hard workouts. He said I should wait until after I am done and fully hydrated. I can do that but still trying to explain my lifestyle to him is difficult. Dr.s don’t seem to understand people like us (no disrepect intended) but just look at their waiting rooms. We are total freaks compared to their typical patients.
I was wondering if anybody else has had problems like this and what you have done to adjust your training/timing or other things when taking blood pressure meds.
Have you tried any other blood pressure medications? If not, you might want to ask your doctor about some others, such as Norvasc. I had to start taking blood pressure medication a few years ago, and I went through similar situations while training also. I tried beta blockers, ace inhibitors…etc, but what worked for me in particular was Norvasc ( a calcium channel blocker ). Also ask your doctor to explain to you how your medication works. This is always a good indicator to me if he knows what he is talking about as far as medications for endurance athletes like yourself. I agree, a lot of MD’s dont understand the triathlete lifestyle very well. You’ve got to find one that can relate. Altace is an ACE inhibitor and effects to Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, or RAAS. RAAS functions in the body to maintain sodium and water balance through the control of blood pressure and blood volume. Basically ACE inhibitors like Altace, block the action of Angiotension Converting Enzyme(hence the ACE), which in turn prevents the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is the most potent vasoconstrictor in the body, and dramatically increases blood pressure. That is how it controls BP. Anyway, enough biochemistry for now. Excessive sweating is listed as a common side effect for altace. You should not have to alter the time at which you take your medication for training or racing. Ideally it should not alter you activities or way of life. To me it seems silly for your doctor to have told you to take your meds after you have worked out. Basic knowledge of RAAS shows that sweat loss increases blood pressure, and we all know how much we triathletes sweat compared to the rest of the population. In essence what you were told by your doctor was to not worry about your BP while you are working out or racing and to just deal with it when you are done and hydrated again. Thats just dumb. Again, ask to try other medications. There are quite a few out there and it may take some experimentation to find one that works for you. PM me and I’d be glad to share with you my experiences with BP meds, and what I have found that works for me. I hope you find this helpful, and good luck!
Yup, I agree. If you have no other issues (CHF, A-fib, etc. - which I would doubt if you are doing tris), just getting your BP down is his/her likely goal. A calcium channel blocker (if effective) will give YOU your lowest side effects (like was mentioned). And as I have said before, see a physician/specialist that is also a serious triathlete/runner, etc. as he will understand our serious mental issues better
