Well, I don’t anymore, I’m taking high blood pressure medication. I’d been “borderline hypertensive” for quite some years with my diastolic rate always in the 90’s. I worked it down to the mid 80’s and was able to ignore the problem. I felt diet and exercise would do the trick. I’m 51, training 11-14 hours a week and now my systolic rate goes sky high! I call my sports medicine doc (roadie freak) and tell him I’m ready. He puts me on Adacant and I feel like shit for a few days. I feel like such a geezer waiting for my prescription at Safeway. Hey, I’m a triathlete, I can’t be on medication!!!??? A few months have gone by and I’m very pleased with my decision. I was afraid of the side effects (no wood) but that hasn’t been the case. The latest generation of anti-hypertensives aren’t noticable after a few days. I do think I am a little less intense and my wife likes me more. Even my kids think Dad isn’t so bad afterall, and my last blood pressure test (which I don’t dread getting anymore) was 117/68. Moral: Your health is your only true wealth, take your pills!
Yes, the same story here. 56 years old, 5’10’, 145#, 5% body fat and vegetarian. I train seven days a weeek year around and still stay around that 140/90. I have been on “drugs” for about 10 years now. I get mad at myself for not being able to control it but am lost on what else to try. I don’t eat salt, I have tried every “natural” remedy that has ever been found with no luck.
Aloha,
Larry
When my bp reached 150/115 my doctor put a stop to my whining about controlling it with diet and exercise. I guess it was a mental bump to overcome and just realize that I needed the medication. Now I feel better and my bp is stable (however it took a few tries of different combination on medicatios to get it down to 95/65).
When I was oveseas and forgot my medicaion, and did not take it for a week: (surprise - not) it went right back up again!
I guess I do not have to preach to any one that keeping the bp high for any significant amount of time is dangerous, and it is better to give in and take the medication; and keep triathloning. (note: I am not a health professional)
Speaking of wood, not addressing high bp might lead to diabitis; which then may lead to erectile disfunction. Just the thought of not being able to get it up is all the motivation I need to stay fit.
Henk
I’m 28 and your a bunch of wimps without pills mines around 215/120 (that stroke level you amateurs). I would caution you to get the K+ test done my serum potassium levels were lower than normal and I felt horrible for about a month. Although I am on Hydrochlorothiazide which is a diuretic.
I posted the same question a few months ago when I was considering going on medication. I don’t understand the negative attitude about medication. Some people seem to think you are weak if you take medication for certain ailments. Blood pressure and depression are the ones that come to mind. I went on accupirl a few weeks ago with good results. The reason I started was because of a conversation with a doctor who explained that even slightly elevated blood pressure can cause small incrimental damage to arteries over the years. My dad passed away last month at the age of 66 and I promised my wife I’d stick around a little longer than that. Modern medicine has allowed people to live better and longer lives but a stigma still surrounds medication users. I have a good friend who finally went on paxil to treat depression and the difference has been fantastic. This person will tell few people about the medication for fear of people thinking he’s “crazy”. However, he tells me he wishes he would have made the move years ago. It’s not a matter of your will power to " just don’t let things bother you", or with the blood pressure example; “just eat better and exercise more”, it’s a matter of the DNA you’re given to work with.
At one point or another I have been on every major category of antihypertensive agents except beta blockers, and for a few years all of them at once. I am not an MD but hydrochlorothiazide or any other diuretic would be my absolute last choice for anyone in endurance sports.
ACE inhibitors or ARB’s would be my first choice, followed by calcium channel blockers.
I posted the same question a few months ago when I was considering going on medication. I don’t understand the negative attitude about medication.
The side affects of the prescription drugs. I try to do the right lifestyle first with the drugs as a last resort.
Aloha,
Larry
Bravo Tom, my sentiments exactly! My mom had a stroke by not taking care of her diabetis and is stuck in a wheelchair; dad never took care of his weight and has since passed. Mom wonders out loud every time I see her: “how come you are so athletic, no one else in the family is…”. She doen’t understand that they are (see the Frazz cartoon). Henk