ccordray

[ccordray]

i am 6'1", 64 yrs old, 240 lbs and my bp is normally, with meds, 145/70. i have been riding a bicycle seriously for a year now, and just completed the seattle to portland ride, which covered 200 miles in two days. for 3 or 4 days after this exercise, my bp was in the 120/60 range w/out meds. now, for the last two mornings, i have woke up with bp  153/85, then 170/100. i am taking capoten twice a day and a felodipine long lasting once a day. whats up with this? i rode 25 miles the other night, and average about a 100 miles a week-shouldn't the exercise help. i have gone from 283 to 240 lbs over the last year.

thank you

cole

[Thatch]

Have you thought about your electrolyte intake? You could have consumed too much sodium during the ride if you were pushing sports drinks. Eat low sodium a few days and push the liquids and you should go down over a few days. If you do eat lower than usual amounts of salt be sure and eat high potassium like bananas, but being a bike rider I am sure you are very aware a cramps. Avoid liquorice and I think that the enzyme in grapefruit juice (OATP) that you need to avoid because of your felodipine is also present in grape juice as well.

Thatch

[ccordray]

About a minute ago, i drank a bottle of grape juice. my bp is now 128/82, so maybe you are right. i did push electrolytes during the ride, and sweated more than usual because of the heat/humidity. i am from eastern oregon and unused to the high humidity on the western side. i will ease the sodium, which i watch anyway, and eat my bananas.

thank you

cole