i went to the doc today for my annual check up and my blood pressure was a little high (130/84). he wants to start me on the lowest dosage of avapro. i’ve heard stories of how blood pressure lowering drugs can affect athletic performance in a negative way. i’m a little apprehencive about taking it. my doc says i should see no side effects from it.
do any of you take this drug or any other blood pressure meds? if so, how has it affected your training?
That’s more than a “little” high…
Here’s some info on the drug
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a698009.html
sorry…i meant 130/84, not 190/84. my bad. i’ll edit the original post with the correction
thanks for the website.
jhc is right, 190/84 is pretty high. I’ve been taking a Diovan/Hydrochlorathiazide combination for about a year and the last reading of my BP was 120/70, pretty normal. Before it was 180/95. I have had no side affects with respect to training or anything else. You’ve got to get your BP under control, so do whatever you have to or you run the risk of a stroke and or death. Not worth it in my mind. If the doc gives you something and you have an adverse reaction ask him/her for something else. Several different medications out there that are equally effective. Good luck.
If it is 130/84, you should be able to lower it without meds. I have been on and off all different types of BP meds for the past 18 years and took myself off of all them (under the watchful eye of my mom, a nurse) and lowered it by watching what I eat, increasing my water intake, and exercise. Obviously you already exercise, but try limiting or eliminating food/drink with caffiene and salt. (Be cautious about doing this right before hard workouts)
Your BP could have been slightly elevated because you were at the doctor’s office, which tends to make people a little apprehensive anyway. I wouldn’t go on the medication based on one reading. Try it again a few times over the next few weeks - it will always be changing based on how long ago you ate, your morning workout, (swimming seems to lower it a little) etc. Getting more sleep can help, too.
That’s just my opinion, based on my bias that I think prescription medications are overprescribed in some cases.
Regardless of whether you decide to do the medicine now or not, make sure to monitor it as you get older - high blood pressure is stressful on your heart. Good Luck!
Great points.
thanks for the insight td.
i also have high cholesterol (and it is trully high…genetics). the combination of the high cholesterol and the slightly elevated blood pressure is what seemed to concern him the most. i’ve never been one to add much salt to food, but i suppose i could cut back on the little bit i do add. although i am a heavy sweater and need the salt. damned either way.