Meds comaptible with strenuos exercise

[Michael McGinn]

I have had essential hypertension for 10+ years. My BP has been well-controlled, originally with Vasotec but now requires Vasoretic (10/25 twice daily). With this combination, my resting BP is 118-125/68-75, and I experience no noticable side-effects with normal or strenuous physical activity. However, the thiazide does exert it's side effects of depressed libido, etc. to the dismay of me and my "significant other".

My GP has prescribed Terasozin but it's side effects are so physically immediate(asthenia, dizziness, nasal congestion, palpitations) that it is unacceptable.

What other hypertension medication(s) might be paired with Vasotec that wuold not have this undesirable side effect, and would also not compromise strenuous exercise?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

First of all, it is not obvious to me that it is the thiazide component that is causing the erectile dysfunction. It could be something else, and you should discuss the matter with your physician.

Other anti-hypertensive medications include calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem or Norvasc, which could be safely paired with Vasotec.

[Michael McGinn]

Thank you for your reply to my question.

Three points: First, It is clear to me that the hydrochlrothiazide is, at least, partially responsible for the changes in libido that I have experienced. Two trials without the diuretic show improvement. Second, I have consulted my physician. It was he that assured me that Terazosin would show little side effects. Third, my understanding is that the calcium channel blockers affect exercise capacity. Is this true to your knowledge? Whcih channel blckers are usually most easily tolerated?



M

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

All medicines are with possible side effects. Calcium channel blockers can affect heart rate and thus blunt peak exercise performance, but this is not an issue with ones like Norvasc.

[Nathan Jones]

For what it's worth, I am a 46 year old male who exercises a great deal (6-10 times per week) and row in competitions.  I have had hypertension for the last couple of years and along the way, had a mitral valve repair.



     My physician had me try a combination of medications and I can assure that for maximal effort exercise (i.e. close to or above the anerobic threshold) beta blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers to inhibit performance.  My doctor for a time used a combination CCB-Ace Inhibitor called Lotrel.  It comes in various doses and works reasonably well.  It still reduced my maximal heart rate about 10 beats.



    With my cardiologist's permission I switched to a higher dose of an ace inhibitor which does not seem to inhibit athletic performance.  



     All in all the combination CCB-ace inhibitor seems to be the most effective drug for controlling my blood pressure but the ace inhibitor provides the best athletic performance.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

All beta blockers and some calcium channel blockers definitely do blunt peak exercise performance, especially in active people.