Chronic hypertension, what should I do??

[CLEMDOG]

Ok, well, over the last year of so I've experienced mild chronic hypertension. I'm normally in the range of 130-140/70-80. I began using AS about 1 year ago, approximately. Ever since then I've had higher than normal systolic/diastolic readings. I've done about 4 cycles in the past year, some with not much time in between. Lately my BP has been hitting 140-150/80-90. And this is usually consistant, however, most of the time I'm either on AS or some type of thermogenic, which of course is going to elevate my BP. I just went in to the Health center here at college today for popping my clavicle the other day while doing military presses and they checked my BP. It was 150/100. That is really shitty. First off, I've only 21, I shouldnt be worrying about BP at this age. Secondly, I am 'ON' right now. I just finished 10 weeks of sus (1amp every 5th day) and took my last one almost 2 weeks ago. Also used .5mg EOD arim. About 2 weeks ago I started 50mg winn zambons EOD and will run that for 6 weeks.

After I finish with this cycle I think it would be a wise idea to take a while off. My next cycle planned is probably going to be anavar only at about 40mg/day for 10-11 weeks. Clen also with EC alternating. I think a will wait a few months after this one is done.

Anyway, the chronic elevation is BP definitely concerns me. I dont need the worry and I dont need cardiovascular problems to become prevalent if this isnt taken care of. Should I consult with a physician about using a small amt. of a BP medication?

If so, what is the best med. out there that has the best effeciency/side effect ratio? Also do all BP meds work through the mechanism of the ACE inhibitor (Angiotensin converting enzyme)? to dilate blood vessels?

 

[CLEMDOG]

bump for any opinions.

 

[growing]

First, CALM DOWN.

 

[40butpumpin]

Bro, you're doing the right thing and asking the right quesitons. When bp hits 150/100, it's time to be concerned. The first thing you have to do is completely eliminate thermogenics from your life, including caffeine. They will most definitely raise your bp. If you do that, you should see an almost immediate drop in bp. Check your bp daily, if it doesn't come down in a few days to a week, see your doc. In my opinion the best med for minimal sides is Avalide. That's what I take and I get NO sides from it all. And I've tried many of them. Also, when your bp is that high, avoid squats, dead lifts, situps and push-ups as these all will naturally raise your bp on top on your already high bp. bro, I've been dealing with bp for a while, I've researched it to death, it's best to take this conservative approach. hth

 

[CLEMDOG]

damn, I couldnt imagine dropping out thermos all together. Shoot that would include just about any fat burner.

Well I've got a little over 3 more weeks on winny, so after that I will not use anything that would increase BP (AS, thermos) and see what my levels normalize to.

Also, I took a few concerta this morning to help study for a psych exam I had today. My BP was taken about 5 hours later. They were time released, do you think they played a role in the elevated BP reading? Concerta is methylphenidine, which is ritalin.

 

[40butpumpin]

I'm not sure about ritalin.

 

[CLEMDOG]

hmm, dont know either, I would believe it would do to the fact that it is a stimulant. Especially if you dont need to take them for medical purposes.

bump for anymore opinions?

thanks 40bp.

 

[athlete03]

Losing weight will help with bp. So will consistent aerobic workout. I'd recomend seeing a counselor. Not that I think your nuts, but getting stuff off your chest really helps with bp. There are often causal psychological factors. M'kay.

 

[CLEMDOG]

athlete- your absolutely right. I was having a few problems a few months ago, which I did end up seeing a psychologist for awhile. I think most of my problems stemmed from low test levels months after completing a test/dbol cycle. I did believe my BP was elevated sometimes due to a little anxiety or nervousness even though it was not always noticable. Now I'm fine, I dont really have any problems weighing me down, no anxiety or excessive nervousness, so I dont think that is really a contributing factor to my hypertension.

I do need to increase my cardiovascular workouts. I have 2 scheduled days every week, but sometimes I only make 1 if any. I need to make sure I make those 2, at least, every week.

Also, I just calculated my sodium intake on a typical day and was surprised. I'm not sure on the RDA for sodium intake or what sodium restricted diet values are, so this is what I came up with:
4000mg-4500mg per day. I normally never add any supplemental salt into my diet, it just comes from the foods I eat.

 

[slackerdude]

BP

clemdog-definately drop the thermos. also recommend a doc visit as 140s are borderline for mild hypertension. BP meds vary between ACE, Beta, calcium, which would require medical opinion for selection. if things drop back down, OK but if you stay above 130 than see a doc.

 

[CLEMDOG]

thanks for your replys guys.

also something I have been using is Green Tea, which is touted for its excellent health promoting benefits. One of the benefits of the active constituents (polyphenols and catechins) is that they help to lower BP, through the ACE inhibitor. In turn this angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor helps to dialate blood vessels and finally which results in a lower bp.

 

[40butpumpin]

Hey, guys. I don't mean this in a mean spirited way, but seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist will do NOTHING for you bp. BP doesn't work like that. It's a cruel misconception that people with high bp are always ready to blow their tops emotionally. Now I'm not saying that shouldn't go to one, it does indeed help to talk to someone for mental and emotional well being. But I am saying that it won't help your bp. On the sodium, that's a biggie. I decided to give up milk for that and other reasons, I used to be a big milk drinker. My bp came down noticibly from that alone. Look into Avalide.

 

[BIGRICH]

Shouldn't his BP go down down now that he is done with his cycle.

 

[40butpumpin]

Well, theoretically yes, it should. But there may be other contributing factors involved. I believe he stated that he's still on the thermo's. I believe bp from stimulants is the hardest to control and get rid of. The bp you get from gear (I mean anything that is non-stimulant) is 99% of the time from sodium retention and, thereby, water retention. This can be easilly helped by taking diuretics and eating a clean, low sodium diet. But the thermo's are another story. They act on the body in an entirely different way and there is no way of counter-acting that except to stop taking them. Some think that testosterone is a cholesterol and because of that, it will make your bp increase dramatically. The fact is that cholesterol is a steroid but it does NOT make your bp increase. So there is in no way a connection between testosterone, cholesterol and increased bp. Again, testosterone, as with all androgen-class drugs, increases sodium retention, and, thereby, water retention, and that's what makes your bp increase.

 

[katz]

BP

My BP was 150/100 for a while. I know its stress related cause its usually 100/60. Anyway my doc put me on 50mg of Atenolol. After a month its down to 120/80.

 

[KappaRaider]

my bp was 140/80 and my doc said it was normal for someone who lifts heavy weights.

 

[40butpumpin]

katz, atenolol is a beta-2 antagonist. Commonly referred to as a "beta blocker." This works to interfere with how your body responds stress by blocking receptors for certain hormones produced by your adrenal glands. This medicine sucks big-time in my opinion. As a bodybuilder, it's my opinion that this is the last one I'd choose to take. This will also squash your sex drive. Get him to give you Avalide, it's the best wrt side effects because it doesn't have any that I can tell.

KappaRaider, this is not a slam on you but that's total BS. He obviously doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. I'm sick of doctor's being so out of touch with reality. So many are so fucking clueless. It's true that bp will increase when you're actually performing the exercise -- that's normal and expected -- but when you're not performing any workout, it should be normal or below normal for an otherwise health individual. One measurement of 140/80 is NOT cause for alarm. What is cause for alarm is consistent at-rest readings of >140 over >90. What is cause for medication is consistent at-rest readings of >150 over >95.

I'm not trying to act like Mr. Expert wrt high bp. I do have approximately 15 years of experiencing dealing with it and the medications used to treat it. Including supplements, herbs as well and script-only medications. I'm just trying to help in any way I can, I hope you all don't mind.