Aa
Exercising with high blood pressure...
I've been talking medication ever since getting a scary reading of 170/95 three weeks ago. I blew it off until I got a pretty bad headache and the doctors checked my BP at 157/90, down from when the paramedics checked it at 162/92. I've been on 5mg Enalapril for three days plus taking a healthy mix of garlic, fish oil and multivitamins. I cut out caffeine and incorporated some mild exercise like walking on a track for an hour. I'm not overweight by much, maybe I could stand to lose ten to fifteen pounds. I'm only 31 so that makes me wonder if my BP could be anxiety related.
Now here's the thing that's puzzling me. I checked my BP this morning and it was at 134/93. I was happy it went down but being the anxious fellow that I am I checked it three more times. Each time the reading went up: 134/93
137/91
143/92. The final reading was 145/99. I admit that each time I was nervous to see if the pills were working. Once I saw the third reading I was a bit bummed out and stressed that perhaps I have renal artery blockage or something. The doc told me my blood work was a good indicator that I did not have renal artery stenosis and if my BP responded at all to medication then I was fine. But by these numbers would you guys say its responding?
Why would they vary that much? I should note that Ive been taking a pill every night for the last three nights before bed. I check the BP in the morning after the med has proly worn off, idk.
Today's numbers:
148/98, freaked out then checked it while stressed at 153/87 and calmed down to where my final was 146/93.
Now here's the thing that's puzzling me. I checked my BP this morning and it was at 134/93. I was happy it went down but being the anxious fellow that I am I checked it three more times. Each time the reading went up: 134/93
137/91
143/92. The final reading was 145/99. I admit that each time I was nervous to see if the pills were working. Once I saw the third reading I was a bit bummed out and stressed that perhaps I have renal artery blockage or something. The doc told me my blood work was a good indicator that I did not have renal artery stenosis and if my BP responded at all to medication then I was fine. But by these numbers would you guys say its responding?
Why would they vary that much? I should note that Ive been taking a pill every night for the last three nights before bed. I check the BP in the morning after the med has proly worn off, idk.
Today's numbers:
148/98, freaked out then checked it while stressed at 153/87 and calmed down to where my final was 146/93.
Not on your dosage, no. If your BP gets too low you will feel very very tired and have to fight to keep your eyes open. You will forget things very quickly, such as putting your coat on. You will hear people talking to you, but not take any notice. You are a long long long way off that.
That's my BP when I'm off the meds. I have no idea what my BP is when I'm on the meds because I take them at night and don't own a cuff at home. I'm sure it has to lower cus I definitely feel less pressure, no headaches, etc. I know there is a difference.
Even if I did have white coat syndrome, and my BP was really normally in the high 120s or 130s would it be dangerous to be on them?
Ed you've been a wealth of info, thanks!
Even if I did have white coat syndrome, and my BP was really normally in the high 120s or 130s would it be dangerous to be on them?
Ed you've been a wealth of info, thanks!
yes you can have a life and exercise. Your blood pressure is higher than it should be still, so exercise would help it to lower. Only when your BP reduces to below 90/60 is it possible for you to get dizziness. If you find exercise hard to begin with, just keep with it because your body will automatically adapt and benefit you.
Sorry Ed, did you mean yes to all the questions?
So in other words while I'm on the meds, as in I take one in the morning and workout while I'm on it, I'll be ok? It won't interfere or anything? M
I'm so new to these pills I'm just clueless. So they lower your pressure so you can function right? Be physically active. I was always under the impression that they were artificially lowering your pressure so you can survive the day as pretty much a vegetable, meaning I couldn't do anything for fear it might ruin the effect; ie no exercise. Just stay still, don't move around a lot and let the pill just do its work.
You mean I can actually have a life?
So in other words while I'm on the meds, as in I take one in the morning and workout while I'm on it, I'll be ok? It won't interfere or anything? M
I'm so new to these pills I'm just clueless. So they lower your pressure so you can function right? Be physically active. I was always under the impression that they were artificially lowering your pressure so you can survive the day as pretty much a vegetable, meaning I couldn't do anything for fear it might ruin the effect; ie no exercise. Just stay still, don't move around a lot and let the pill just do its work.
You mean I can actually have a life?
Back to the original question; with my BP hovering between 140-150/90-99, can I exercise at all? Can I strength train like do push ups or just cardio?
Can I exercise while on my meds? Is it safe?
Can I exercise while on my meds? Is it safe?
You need to take your mind off it. When I had a 24 hour monitor I just thought about something else, but nothing stressful. Something like "hmm what shall I have for dinner tonight".
There has to be some "white coat syndrome" thing active here too. Whether I'm at the cuff my heart races and I can't calm down. My last reading was 141/97 with a heart rate of 118! Stressed out even more I took it again and had a reading of 147/99! Couldn't calm down and got angry about the rise.
I felt like a million bucks this morning. I was feeling the best I've felt in a long while but as soon as I reached the cuff I started stressing bad
I felt like a million bucks this morning. I was feeling the best I've felt in a long while but as soon as I reached the cuff I started stressing bad
Good idea. 5mg is a lot for me anyways. I would prefer 2.5 mg two times a day.
You didn't have worse issues like renal artery stenosis, did you,?
You didn't have worse issues like renal artery stenosis, did you,?
Interesting. I will make sure to tell my doc. If it has a half life of 12 hours that may explain why my readings may have been between 130-145 usually after I check my BP from the night before. Anxiety also plays into it as I get really stressed when at the cuff.
I'm wondering if a lot of my BP related issues are stress anxiety related. I got the 170 BP reading after a panic attack.
I'm wondering if a lot of my BP related issues are stress anxiety related. I got the 170 BP reading after a panic attack.
Enalapril 5mg has a half life of around 12 hours which is why the manufacturers recommend taking twice daily. You can either take 2.5mg twice daily or any dosage up to 20mg making a total of 40mg.
You say "170, 159,140's" but the systolic should be anywhere between 90 and 120. That is the normal range. The bottom number, diastolic, should be anywhere between 60 and 80. This is why I believe taking the med twice a day is important. Have a chat with your Doc and see what they say.
You say "170, 159,140's" but the systolic should be anywhere between 90 and 120. That is the normal range. The bottom number, diastolic, should be anywhere between 60 and 80. This is why I believe taking the med twice a day is important. Have a chat with your Doc and see what they say.
Please forget last line :-).
We (I) really could use edit options of our postings sometimes.
We (I) really could use edit options of our postings sometimes.
Yes, of course the effect of medication slowly wears off. However not so quickly that you would not benefit from the effect in the morning when taken the medication the night before.
For Enalapril I found:
Effective inhibition of ACE activity usually occurs within 2 to 4 hours after oral administration of a single dose of enalapril.
Onset of antihypertensive activity is usually seen at 1 hour, with peak reduction of blood pressure achieved by 4 to 6 hours after administration
The duration of effect is dose related. However, at recommended doses, antihypertensive and haemodynamic effects have been shown to be maintained for at least 24 hours.
So, slight increase of blood pressure over the day, due to wearing off of the medication will happen, but not so much that the effect is gone after 24 hours, so certainly not after 8 hours of sleep.
I do not suggest that taking half the dose 2x/day is not better than 1x/day full dose but in most cases the latter is sufficient for a "fairly constant" bp.
If variations were so big, I guess every doctor would describe patients the 2x/day regime.
If that would be the case,
For Enalapril I found:
Effective inhibition of ACE activity usually occurs within 2 to 4 hours after oral administration of a single dose of enalapril.
Onset of antihypertensive activity is usually seen at 1 hour, with peak reduction of blood pressure achieved by 4 to 6 hours after administration
The duration of effect is dose related. However, at recommended doses, antihypertensive and haemodynamic effects have been shown to be maintained for at least 24 hours.
So, slight increase of blood pressure over the day, due to wearing off of the medication will happen, but not so much that the effect is gone after 24 hours, so certainly not after 8 hours of sleep.
I do not suggest that taking half the dose 2x/day is not better than 1x/day full dose but in most cases the latter is sufficient for a "fairly constant" bp.
If variations were so big, I guess every doctor would describe patients the 2x/day regime.
If that would be the case,
Would it get that low after I've been off of them? I take the meds at night and check the BP twelve hours afterward in the morning/afternoon. It's 5mg vasotec-Enalapril.
It usually reads from a range of mid 130s to high 140s. Bottom number is usually high 80s to mid 90s.
So far my BP has gone down from the worst I've ever seen it at which is 170, 160 and 157 over 90 something.
But would the meds really take it down that low to 110/70 when it's starting to wear off or has worn off? I would think that would be my reading while I'm actually on it, no?
I have to wait another week before I see a doc but I'm wondering if I should just go now. I don't want this to be a serious issue like renal artery stenosis
It usually reads from a range of mid 130s to high 140s. Bottom number is usually high 80s to mid 90s.
So far my BP has gone down from the worst I've ever seen it at which is 170, 160 and 157 over 90 something.
But would the meds really take it down that low to 110/70 when it's starting to wear off or has worn off? I would think that would be my reading while I'm actually on it, no?
I have to wait another week before I see a doc but I'm wondering if I should just go now. I don't want this to be a serious issue like renal artery stenosis
I used to smoke whenever I drank and for a night of heavy drinking it would be accompanied by heavy smoking, usually a quarter a pack a night almost.
That was two years ago. I haven't smoked like that in a long time and haven't touched a cigarrete in a year.
Why with the doc up the dosage? Are my readings too high considering the meds I'm on? I've only taken three pills and stopped because I'm waiting for the next visit this weekend to see if I can start taking them in the mornings rather than night due to the sleep problems.
That was two years ago. I haven't smoked like that in a long time and haven't touched a cigarrete in a year.
Why with the doc up the dosage? Are my readings too high considering the meds I'm on? I've only taken three pills and stopped because I'm waiting for the next visit this weekend to see if I can start taking them in the mornings rather than night due to the sleep problems.
After a few weeks maybe the doctor will up your dosage? I just want to ask if you smoke? because cigarettes really up blood pressure with some people.
Ok this makes more sense. I was getting nervous for a second. Whenever I check my BP in the morning after a pill it is usually a bit lower. It's lower than it proly would be without the pill I assume cus it's been a while since I've seen the BP drop to the 130s especially after the high numbers I've been having before I took the pills, usually hovering in the high 140s and 150s.
So it might be good news that I'm responding to the pills! I'm just trying to eliminate the possibility I might have renal artery stenosis
So it might be good news that I'm responding to the pills! I'm just trying to eliminate the possibility I might have renal artery stenosis
most blood pressure meds have a half life between 13-16 hours which means they could be wearing off. I had this problem, so I take 2.5 ramipril in the morning and 2.5 early evening. This kept my blood pressure the same for 24 hours.
So the meds aren't supposed to lose their effect after one night? I take the pill at night and it works while I'm sleeping. It might lower It down to the 120s but I don't know since I don't have a cuff at home. I check the BP in the morning and that's when I get my readings.
Are you saying that my BP should still be in the range that the pill had me the night before while I was on it? It wouldn't wear off? If so, then that's not good since I've been taking it and it hasn't lowered much in the mornings after I take a pill the night before. I check the BP like ten-twelve hours later. I'll take the pill at 10 at night and check my BP at around 11 or noon. Would the pill have worn off by then?
Are you saying that my BP should still be in the range that the pill had me the night before while I was on it? It wouldn't wear off? If so, then that's not good since I've been taking it and it hasn't lowered much in the mornings after I take a pill the night before. I check the BP like ten-twelve hours later. I'll take the pill at 10 at night and check my BP at around 11 or noon. Would the pill have worn off by then?
Blood pressure fluctuates during the day. If you want to compare results, you should measure at approx. the same time each day with a reliable (upper arm cuff type) meter. The meds have a long lasting effect and do not lose their effect after one night.
Freaking out will certainly have a big impact on your bp. If you get so much stress from the results, you perhaps should not measure at all and leave the measuring to your doctor.
153/87 is too high but will only cause health problems in the long run. You should not be overly concerned about it.
I would certainly do exercises, especially cardio. This will open up and relax your arteries and result in lower bp afterwards.
Freaking out will certainly have a big impact on your bp. If you get so much stress from the results, you perhaps should not measure at all and leave the measuring to your doctor.
153/87 is too high but will only cause health problems in the long run. You should not be overly concerned about it.
I would certainly do exercises, especially cardio. This will open up and relax your arteries and result in lower bp afterwards.
I forgot to add question. Can I add exercise to the mix? If so, what? Would push-ups be ok?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
