Anybody taking Blood Pressure meds???

So... Just got back from the GP today... Says I need to start taking BP meds...

hate that for me.

asked him about impact on recreational diving... just looked at me sideways and said he would heve to get back to me.

anyone else need to take those?

anyone know about impact on pressure sensitivity? at depth? other complications?

not an old guy, 42, but guess I'm old enough. C- physical condition, bit of a gut , but I work a very physical job (Carpenter) and am not dead yet, and am one of the few trades people I know who doesn't smoke.

thought there might be a diving Doc or two here, or somebody that has some personal experience.

My son is just getting old enough to start diving with me next year, and I really don't want this to get in the way of that. Yea yea, loose the extra weight, but in the short-term, it's the effects of the meds. i'm really wondering about.

Thanks in advance!

I have been on Atenol for 6 years. I had absolutely no issues, diving or otherwise. My BP is now 105/70 (normal).

Another friend (about the same age) was on the same dose, but became very sluggish until they reduced the dose. Based on this the only advice I offer (non-medical, I am not a doc) is to make sure the dose is right and the meds are not having side effects for a few weeks before you decide to dive. People react differently and you don't want to find out in the middle of a dive.

If you have any queries with your condition or with the medication you're taking, it's best to consult a doctor who is fairly well-versed in diving medicine. If your own doctor is scratching his head, find one in your area who is a specialist in diving or hyperbaric medicine.

If you are a member of DAN, give them a ring and they might be able to recommend one near you. I've done that before concerning ear problems and the specialist doctor was in a different league when it came to knowledge and information.

In the meantime, you may want to post in the Diving Medicine forum Diving Medicine - ScubaBoard

The docs there sound very knowledgeable and helpful.

Howdy: In response to your question, I take high blood pressure meds. Lisinopril, 20 mg once a day. I've been taking it for about a year and a half and I don't have any problems. My doctor is also a diver and indicated to me that there would be no problems. And so far there hasn't been.

And, I'm 69 years old, I dive at least once a week and sometimes twice a week. I don't dive very deep, 80 ft at most, and I am pretty conservitive with my dive tables. I also dive in S Florida, so the water is nice and warm. I am in pretty good shape, work out regularly, don't smoke and drink moderatly.

So, and I'm not a medical doctor, and your mileage may very, but in my experience, my advice is to drive on budd and have fun.

I'm on Enalapril and HCTZ and have been since I was 39. Been diving for 4 years now with no issues.

Depending on the meds you are prescribed, the effects are usually minimal.
Most commonly, someone your age would be started on a diuretic, or fluid tablet. These meds basically cause you to lose sodium in your urine. Side effects are related to potential changes in the chemistry of your blood and the possibility of abnormal heart rhythms. I suspect your doc will test your chemistry every so often to evaluate this effect. The other agent would be what is known as a Beta Blocker. These drugs are very commonly used and have a number of side effects ; anything from slight mood alteration, to a reduction in exercise tolerance.
None of these agents are contraindications to diving.
In fact, depending on the contributing factors, such as fitness, body weight etc, patients sometimes come off them. I would also try to modify lifestyle, no offense, in terms of diet, fitness, weight etc and review the effects with your doc.
Good luck.


These remarks in no way imply a medical relationship, nor should they be acted upon without review by one's own physician.

I do not take meds, I keep my BP down with diet. I make sure that I have at least 5000 mg potassium and try to keep my sodium to less than 1000 mg. As long as I keep at least a 3:1 ratio my BP will stay down. It only took a week for me to see results. I went from 150/100 to below 130/70 pretty quick.

You might want to try this for a week or two before starting medication.

I think this plan is called the K-Factor. The idea is that 100 years ago we ate about 5000 mg of potassium and only 500 mgs of sodium (10:1 ration) but unfortunately with so much processed and fast food our ration today is often reversed at 1:10.

Since divers need a lot of potassium to prevent cramps, this kind of diet works well. Besides eating a lot of bananas for potassium, I drink OJ and eat sweet potatoes (especially the skins).

We rarely buy canned goods because they are notorious for high sodium. It would be easier to take meds, but I prefer the diet mode.

I

strat exercizing(running--ride a bike= 1 hr per day) & lose 25+ lbs.......great chance it will improve.....

The only BP medication I know of that could have an effect is a beta blocker such as Atenol which can limit the heart rate during heavy exertion. DAN says that it could be an issue in an emergency situation where a maximum sustained effort is required for something such as self rescue or rescue of another.
I had bypass surgery and was on it immediately after the surgery. With the dose I was on I couldn't get my heart rate up to what the doctor wanted (130 bpm)during exercise so he took me off of it and put me on an ACE inhibitor which doesn't have the same effect.

agreed..sadly just because you have a physically demanding job it probably isn't benefiting your cardiovascular. Loosing some weight and doing general exercise for 30 minutes three days a week may take you off the meds. A life style change may be needed. Hang in there start slow and do activities that keep you motivated.