Just diagnosed with hypertension..was only a matter of time.

[jloewe]

Sigh...

Family history, my love of salt and fried foods, doc just put me on Benicar.

She didn't say anything about this when I spoke with her this week, but I've read a few sites that say you shouldn't weight train if you have high blood pressure, has anyone ever heard of this theory??

A couple years ago, I would have welcomed the news of no weights, now I love lifting with Cathe's DVD's and would not be pleased if I couldn't continue.

Since doc didn't warn me, I am continuing to weight train, only 2 days a week, though.

I am working on cutting out salt...this will take some time, but I know I can get there!! A couple of factors in my favor...I'm a non-smoker, non-drinker, and enjoy aerobic exercise, and am pretty tolerant of any medications I may need.

Just posting here to see if anyone has heard of the correlation between lifting and hypertension?

 

[hiitdogs]

I haven't heard anything about not lifting with hypertension. In fact, several of my friends with high blood pressure still lift weights. I would think that very heavy weights which might cause you to strain (you know the kind of red in the face and veins popping out straining )to lift might be off limits. But I am not a medical professional nor do I know your medical history, you may want to ask your health care provider about this.

Cutting out salt is a though one. I have found that this stuff makes it much easier, it tastes really good with only half the salt - Bioforce Herbamare or Bioforce Trocomare (it's a little spicier)

http://www.amazon.com/Bioforce-Herbamare-Seasoning-8-8-Ounce-Canister/dp/B001EQ4OY2

http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/04484

You can find it in health food stores, any Whole Foods market or online. The above links may not be the cheapest, I am sure you can find better deals if you shop around. HTH

Good luck to you!!!

 

[MarieCLS]

Jerry, I don't know enough about weight lifting and high blood pressure, but just wanted to say good luck and I hope you will be able to return to your workouts soon.

 

[jloewe]

Thanks..I actually did Muscle Max today, felt great after, I feel so much better when I'm active, that includes both weight training and aerobics. Sundays will be my yoga day. I need to be somewhat active daily.

 

[jloewe]

I haven't heard anything about not lifting with hypertension. In fact, several of my friends with high blood pressure still lift weights. I would think that very heavy weights which might cause you to strain (you know the kind of red in the face and veins popping out straining )to lift might be off limits. But I am not a medical professional nor do I know your medical history, you may want to ask your health care provider about this.

Cutting out salt is a though one. I have found that this stuff makes it much easier, it tastes really good with only half the salt - Bioforce Herbamare or Bioforce Trocomare (it's a little spicier)

http://www.amazon.com/Bioforce-Herbamare-Seasoning-8-8-Ounce-Canister/dp/B001EQ4OY2

http://www.mothernature.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/04484

You can find it in health food stores, any Whole Foods market or online. The above links may not be the cheapest, I am sure you can find better deals if you shop around. HTH

Good luck to you!!!

Thanks, Carola!!!

I will definitely look into this, I hate bland food, so the Trocomare will be worth a look-see!

 

[Iris_g1]

Hi Jerry,

I take meds. for hypertention too, and my doctor has never said anything about weight-lifting. She know I workout, but I don't think I've mentioned weightlifting. I actually had never heard anything on the subject. I'll be sure to ask her when I visit in January, but I would think it's fine to weightlift, as I've never had a problem with it. With the "Diovan" mine is under control.

Good luck to you.

 

[jloewe]

Hi Jerry,

I take meds. for hypertention too, and my doctor has never said anything about weight-lifting. She know I workout, but I don't think I've mentioned weightlifting. I actually had never heard anything on the subject. I'll be sure to ask her when I visit in January, but I would think it's fine to weightlift, as I've never had a problem with it. With the "Diovan" mine is under control.

Good luck to you.

Thanks, Iris, Appreciate the info!!!!

 

[Miss Lee]

I'm hypertensive and I lift weights. My doc definitely knows I lift and she never told me not to do it. I would think (and I don't KNOW, but I'm just surmising) that if the meds effectively lower your BP there shouldn't be any harm in lifting. Just a guess, but it sounds good to me.

 

[Bubachick]

Hello Jerry,

Sorry to hear your news, but I think you can kick this in the butt.
I don't have any info right at this moment but you can bet I'll check this out.
Glad to hear MM went well and you felt better after, that says something don't you think?
One thing I do believe is that isometric exercises would not be good. In ME I don't think it
would be a good idea for you to do the med ball chest exercise. You know I one where you squeeze the ball with you hands to put a little dent in it and then move it forward and back to your chest. HTH

I'm rooting for you Jerry take care,

Bri

 

[banslug]

Hey! Jer! Sometimes I'm HYPER and sometimes I'm TENSE. Does that make me HYPERTENSIVE? LOL Just kidding, no offense, just wanted to add some Gayle humor!

I have no experience with it, but I would think lifting would HELP hypertension and the need for meds in the long run. When in doubt.....ASK! Just to be on the safe side. But I agree that if you're not popping a vein, turning beet-red or holding your breath while lifting, I'd think you're safe!

As for the salt......I actually prefer my food cooked with NO salt and don't add it to my diet at all. There are so many ways to season your food. Try my newest-found favorite of agave nectar. YUMMO!

Gayle

 

[jloewe]

Hey! Jer! Sometimes I'm HYPER and sometimes I'm TENSE. Does that make me HYPERTENSIVE? LOL Just kidding, no offense, just wanted to add some Gayle humor!

I have no experience with it, but I would think lifting would HELP hypertension and the need for meds in the long run. When in doubt.....ASK! Just to be on the safe side. But I agree that if you're not popping a vein, turning beet-red or holding your breath while lifting, I'd think you're safe!

As for the salt......I actually prefer my food cooked with NO salt and don't add it to my diet at all. There are so many ways to season your food. Try my newest-found favorite of agave nectar. YUMMO!

Gayle

Hey Gayle...

Next Sunday at lunch, don't let me near the salt shaker, will ya???

Even before my diagnosis, I have been making a better effort to cut down on salt, and I know I'll never cut back my exercise...I have been enjoying my jogging as well!

 

[jloewe]

Hello Jerry,

Sorry to hear your news, but I think you can kick this in the butt.
I don't have any info right at this moment but you can bet I'll check this out.
Glad to hear MM went well and you felt better after, that says something don't you think?
One thing I do believe is that isometric exercises would not be good. In ME I don't think it
would be a good idea for you to do the med ball chest exercise. You know I one where you squeeze the ball with you hands to put a little dent in it and then move it forward and back to your chest. HTH

I'm rooting for you Jerry take care,

Bri

Bri,

With you in my corner, I can't lose..who else can I go WEEEEEEEEEE with...(well, that didn't sound good, did it...you get the idea, though)

I just consider it another challenge to be faced and knocked down, nice to know I have great support!!

 

[fitdeb]

Exercise Guidelines

Jerry,

Bummer, I know from reading your posts how important fitness has become in your life. Hopefully with proper nutrition and exercise the medication in only a short-term necessity.

Here are a couple of guidelines from ACE regarding hypertension and exercise:

1) be very careful not to hold your breath (Valsalva maneuver) or strain during lifting. Use controlled exhaling during the exertion/concentric phase of the lift.

2) use circuit training rather than heavy weight training - keep resistance low and reps high. Over all aerobic conditioning is the important rather than bulking up.

3) you may want to purchase a bp monitor and track your before and after exercise pressures to see how your body is reacting to your workout load

4) you may want to avoid motions like a squat-thrust/mountain climber that involve standing rapidly; taking antihypertensive medication could make you more susceptible to an actual drop in bp when you make a rapid positional change such as prone/supine to upright.

5) you may want to avoid exercises with significant isometric components such as extended hold planks and very slow push ups.

6) monitor yourself at all times for any "strange" sensations before, during and immediately after exercise.

Most importantly, you should talk to your doctor. Make sure all of your questions/concerns are addressed. Don't take anything for granted.

Hope I didn't offer too much unsolicited info,
Keep up the great work,

Debbie Russo
(formerly a south jersey girl, now I live by mickey

 

[ImFiddY]

I've had high blood pressure for many years now. On 2 different kinds of med's. Was on benicar for awhile but I think it gave me heartburn. I lift weights and I'm about 40# over what my weight should be and just love salt.

The only time I have to be careful is doing squats with weights on the smith machine, it raises my blood pressure and makes me nauseous.

Losing weight has helped my blood pressure and getting a mouth guard to help my snoring has helped lower my blood pressure.

Once you find a med that works for you then you should be fine. Be careful on the med's, I had to go to a calcium channel blocker cuz one med gave me exercise induced asthma, who knew.

 

[jloewe]

Jerry,

Bummer, I know from reading your posts how important fitness has become in your life. Hopefully with proper nutrition and exercise the medication in only a short-term necessity.

Here are a couple of guidelines from ACE regarding hypertension and exercise:

1) be very careful not to hold your breath (Valsalva maneuver) or strain during lifting. Use controlled exhaling during the exertion/concentric phase of the lift.

2) use circuit training rather than heavy weight training - keep resistance low and reps high. Over all aerobic conditioning is the important rather than bulking up.

3) you may want to purchase a bp monitor and track your before and after exercise pressures to see how your body is reacting to your workout load

4) you may want to avoid motions like a squat-thrust/mountain climber that involve standing rapidly; taking antihypertensive medication could make you more susceptible to an actual drop in bp when you make a rapid positional change such as prone/supine to upright.

5) you may want to avoid exercises with significant isometric components such as extended hold planks and very slow push ups.

6) monitor yourself at all times for any "strange" sensations before, during and immediately after exercise.

Most importantly, you should talk to your doctor. Make sure all of your questions/concerns are addressed. Don't take anything for granted.

Hope I didn't offer too much unsolicited info,
Keep up the great work,

Debbie Russo
(formerly a south jersey girl, now I live by mickey

Debbie..

Thanks so much for the great info!!! I love circuit workouts, and I own Drill Max already, so I think I may be getting reacquainted with this real soon!!

No need to rub it in about living close to my favorite mouse, though....

 

[Vee]

Jerry,

I wish you the very best with taking care of your health.

You have a huge advantage because you workout regularly. You already have some great advice on weight training!

I am a great believer in yoga, done with the right guidance. Some poses in yoga are contra-indicated but you can easily google and find out the few poses that you should not try. These are usually the more advanced inversions like handstands and headstands.


My husband was recently diagnosed with hypertension too. He too loves salty, fried foods. I picked up no-sodium salt at the grocery store. Do you get that there? The doc only advised him to cut back on weight traning for a couple of weeks when he was first diagnosed, until his body adapted to medication and his blood pressure was brought under control with medication.

Sending wellness vibes....

Vrinda