Athletes and High Blood Pressure. In a previous blog post, I talked about the general problem of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Today, I thought Id focus our discussion about hypertension specifically on the issues that athletes face. Here at the blog, weve talked about many UNcommon cardiovascular problems that athletes might confront. But hypertension is different. In fact, high blood pressure is the MOST COMMON cardiovascular problem discovered in athletes. If you dont have this problem, you almost certainly know fellow athletes who do. And if you dont have high blood pressure now, you might develop high blood pressure as you age. So. this is a problem worth knowing about. First, some definitions. The NORMAL blood pressure is 1. Drawings X5 Embroidery Software on this page. Benefits of Exercise. Randomized clinical trials have shown that physical activity is associated with a decrease in the blood pressure for all patient groups those who have a normal blood pressure at the outset, those with high normal blood pressure or pre hypertension, and those with high blood pressure. Regular and moderate aerobic exercise can reduce the blood pressure by up to 1. Hg. Similarly, moderate intensity resistance training using light weights and high number of reps can reduce the blood pressure by 3 6 mm Hg. Regular exercise provides a real benefit. Among the physically active, the risk of developing hypertension is 5. Nonetheless, there will be individuals who DO develop hypertension despite engaging in a regular exercise program. Those at particular risk include African Americans, the elderly, the obese, those with diabetes, and those with chronic kidney disease. The four blood moons are a sign in prophecy that may indicate something very special is about to take place. What does the Bible say about the tetrad blood moonsEvaluation of the Blood Pressure in Athletes. Ive talked several times here at the blog about how important it is for athletes to have a physician. The BP should be checked at every visit. For student athletes, the BP should be checked at a pre participation physical examination. The Blood Of Others MovieIn a previous blog post, I talked about the general problem of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Today, I thought Id focus our discussion about hypertension. Harry Potter and the HalfBlood Prince is a 2009 film based on the sixth novel by J. K. Rowling. Follows the health of an original cohort and two subsequent generations since 1948. Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others Blood type, metabolism, exercise, shirt color and even drinking beer can make individuals especially delicious to. It is important to remember that the BP varies over time. No single measurement should govern treatment decisions. If the BP is elevated at the doctors office, it may be wise to re check the blood pressure in a more relaxed setting such as the home. You may need to work with your physician on how best to do this. Some behaviors are known to be associated with elevated BP increased sodium salt intake, tobacco use any form, various over the counter medications cold remedies, decongestants, diet pills, ergogenic aids caffeine, Sudafed, cocaine, human growth hormone HGH, anabolic steroids, various prescription medications particularly non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and oral contraceptives, and various dietary supplements. Treatment of Hypertension in the Athlete. The first approach to treatment will involve non pharmacologic therapytreatment WITHOUT medications. Since we know the list of bad behaviors noted above, our first efforts should be to eliminate these. We should also note that regular physical activity is helpful in this regard. Other useful measures include ensuring adequate potassium intake particularly for endurance athletes and a variety of relaxation techniques meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, etc. If medications are needed to control an athletes hypertension, several broad categories of medications are available. Each category has its own benefits and drawbacks. Anything I say here is a simplification, and there is an art and science to the selection of blood pressure medications for a patient. You will need to work carefully with your physician to choose an approach that WORKS FOR YOU. ACE angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Examples include Altace, Zestril, lisinopril, enalapril. May be the drug of choice for athletes. There are few side effects if they are used in individuals who do not have kidney disease. Athletes taking ACE inhibitors may experience a sudden decrease in the BP just after a workout potentially leading to blackout or syncope, so they should be aware of this possibility and have a cool down period at the end of each workout. True Blood is an American dark fantasy horror television series produced and created by Alan Ball and based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by. Dear Advocaters, Fall is here and The Liver Meeting is right around the corner But first, we have a spectacular October HCV Advocate newsletter to help you on your. People whose blood pressure is above the normal range should consult their doctor about steps to take to lower it. In as many as 95 of reported high blood pressure. Blood is a body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products. Register to be a blood donor, give blood and save lives. Find out more about blood donation. Calcium channel blockers. Examples include Norvasc, Calan, Isoptin, Cardizem. These medications are also useful in the athlete. They do not lead to a decrease in exercise capacity. They can lead to a decrease in the heart rate and contractility strength of the left ventricle hearts main pumping chamber, but this is compensated for by an increase in the stroke volume the amount of blood the heart ejects with each heartbeat. ARBs antiotensin receptor blockers. Examples include Avapro, Atacand, Cozaar. These medications are similar to the ACE inhibitors. Again, they have a favorable side effect profile. Central alpha agonists. Examples include Catapres, Tenex. These medications are not generally useful for the athlete. Side effects include fatigue, orthostatic hypotension decrease in the BP related to body position, and fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Diuretics. Examples include hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ, Lasix. These should generally be avoided in the athlete. There is an increased risk of heat related illness, impaired exercise capacity, cramps, and even arrhythmias. In hot weather, these medications may lead to unacceptably high losses of magnesium and potassium. Beta blockers. Examples include Inderal, Lopressor, Toprol, Labetalol, Coreg. This is another category of drugs that should generally be avoided in the athlete. They lead to a significant reduction in maximum exercise capacity along with decreased cardiac output and VO2 max. They are also associated with increased perception of exertion and impaired temperature regulation. Participation Recommendations for Athletes with Hypertension. Prudent recommendations for athletes with hypertension are summarized nicely in a report from the 3. Bethesda Conference on Eligibility Recommendations for Competitive Athletes with Cardiovascular Abnormalities. For athletes with high normal blood pressure or mild hypertension, there should be no restrictions to exercise or sports participation. The blood pressure should be checked every 2 4 months. For athletes with moderate or severe hypertension, activities should be restricted until the blood pressure is controlled. Banned Substances. The World Anti Doping Agency WADA publishes a listing of medications or other substances that are banned for use by athletes during competition. Athletes should be aware of the ramifications for their particular sport and circumstance if they choose, along with their physician, to use medications which are included on the banned list.