Kaiser
03-04-2006, 10:49 PM
This was posted by a very respected veteran member (MassiveG) over at professionalmuscle.com. I thought it was such a good write up that I wanted you guys to be able to read it. This guy knows what he is talking about.
Blood Pressure Meds and Treatment -A Discussion
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I decided to start this thread as we discussed this over at MM and blood pressure can really be the "silent killer" to your cardio vascular system and kidneys. No joke. We don't need any help as we already stress the kidneys with high bodyweights, most lifters are dehydrated, and we bang our kidneys with high blood pressure in short bursts of high intensity training-which also dumps protein into the kidneys. Add in thickened blood, and fluid retention from AAS use and you complicate things further.
I developed high blood pressure in 2000, and got treatment. After 5 years he and I agree the only way I can ever possbily come off the meds is by losing weight. On meds my BP averaged in the mid 120's/over mid 80's. It can creep up to 140/90 but I keep a record of it.
I have been over 250 now for 10 years and hell averaged close to 3 bills for 5.
Weight is and was a concern for me so I left no stone unturned to get my BP down. It's complicated and requires a doc's help as self medicating BP meds can be dangerous in juicers especially the types that reduce blood volume and heart rate.
A one time reading at a doc's office is pretty inaccurate, the best way is to get a cuff and keep a log at home for an average.
It's important the doctor works with you on the meds he prescribes as many have unwanted side effects and can be dangerous in juicers with the thickened blood (especially types that reduce blood volume via the kidney, or with diuretic action)
Here are the types and how they work for those interested:
Diuretics-no explanation needed.
Beta-blockers-Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard.
ACE inhibitors-Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. The ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and blood pressure goes down.
Angiotensin antagonists-Angiotensin antagonists shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)-CCBs keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and pressure goes down.
Alpha-blockers-Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down.
Alpha-beta-blockers-Alpha-beta-blockers work the same way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down.
Nervous system inhibitors-Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down.
Vasodilators-Vasodilators directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down.
The above descriptions are very simplistic but you can see the broad array and choice a physician will have to choose.
I tried a beta blocker and hated it, it made me feel groggy and as the Doc described in elementary terms "It slows everything down" not a good choice for me.
It took several different types of blood pressure meds till we found 2 that worked with out sides.
It's strange because each drug has different sides even though in the same class as we tried Prinivil (ACE inh) and it had nasty side effects for me frequent urination and headaches whereas Altace is virtually symptom free.
My doc and I chose Altace (ACE inhibitor) and Norvasc (Calcium channel blocker) and they work quite well for me. But please don't self medicate and try to dose BP meds to control it as you can see above it's complicated and can reduce blood volume and slow your HR down which may not be good in people with heavy blood as discussed before.
PEACE
Be safe fellas I see posts on the boards all the time from people taking diuretics to reduce water retention from GH and AAS and that is damn dangerous to self medicate like that. Get blood work done and work with a doc on any BP meds or diuretics to stay safe.
--------------------------------
The original thread here:
http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15059&highlight=blood+pressure+discussion
Blood Pressure Meds and Treatment -A Discussion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I decided to start this thread as we discussed this over at MM and blood pressure can really be the "silent killer" to your cardio vascular system and kidneys. No joke. We don't need any help as we already stress the kidneys with high bodyweights, most lifters are dehydrated, and we bang our kidneys with high blood pressure in short bursts of high intensity training-which also dumps protein into the kidneys. Add in thickened blood, and fluid retention from AAS use and you complicate things further.
I developed high blood pressure in 2000, and got treatment. After 5 years he and I agree the only way I can ever possbily come off the meds is by losing weight. On meds my BP averaged in the mid 120's/over mid 80's. It can creep up to 140/90 but I keep a record of it.
I have been over 250 now for 10 years and hell averaged close to 3 bills for 5.
Weight is and was a concern for me so I left no stone unturned to get my BP down. It's complicated and requires a doc's help as self medicating BP meds can be dangerous in juicers especially the types that reduce blood volume and heart rate.
A one time reading at a doc's office is pretty inaccurate, the best way is to get a cuff and keep a log at home for an average.
It's important the doctor works with you on the meds he prescribes as many have unwanted side effects and can be dangerous in juicers with the thickened blood (especially types that reduce blood volume via the kidney, or with diuretic action)
Here are the types and how they work for those interested:
Diuretics-no explanation needed.
Beta-blockers-Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard.
ACE inhibitors-Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. The ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and blood pressure goes down.
Angiotensin antagonists-Angiotensin antagonists shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)-CCBs keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and pressure goes down.
Alpha-blockers-Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down.
Alpha-beta-blockers-Alpha-beta-blockers work the same way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down.
Nervous system inhibitors-Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down.
Vasodilators-Vasodilators directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down.
The above descriptions are very simplistic but you can see the broad array and choice a physician will have to choose.
I tried a beta blocker and hated it, it made me feel groggy and as the Doc described in elementary terms "It slows everything down" not a good choice for me.
It took several different types of blood pressure meds till we found 2 that worked with out sides.
It's strange because each drug has different sides even though in the same class as we tried Prinivil (ACE inh) and it had nasty side effects for me frequent urination and headaches whereas Altace is virtually symptom free.
My doc and I chose Altace (ACE inhibitor) and Norvasc (Calcium channel blocker) and they work quite well for me. But please don't self medicate and try to dose BP meds to control it as you can see above it's complicated and can reduce blood volume and slow your HR down which may not be good in people with heavy blood as discussed before.
PEACE
Be safe fellas I see posts on the boards all the time from people taking diuretics to reduce water retention from GH and AAS and that is damn dangerous to self medicate like that. Get blood work done and work with a doc on any BP meds or diuretics to stay safe.
--------------------------------
The original thread here:
http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15059&highlight=blood+pressure+discussion