Popped blood vessel from lifting?

dakotababy

Hey everyone -
So i just started stronglifts a few weeks ago. Today I completed my squats, bench and rows. The weight was 30lbs plus bar. I struggled enough to keep the same weight next time, but I still completed 5x5 for each exercise.

I went to go shower and noticed a blood vessel in my eye had popped. There is no pain. Is this normal for lifting?! How do I prevent it from happening?

Curtruns

Never had it happen but looking it up on the internet leads makes me think it is likely nothing but I would schedule an appointment with my optometrist to make sure it is not serious. Heavy lifting was one of the causes that I read about.

AllanMisner

I would definitely go see a doctor about it. I’ve popped a blood vessel in my eye from throwing up, that was quite intense. I’ve had intense lifting sessions and not had something like that happen. But I can see how it could.

Probably a one off, but I’d see a doctor to ensure there isn’t something else going on.

BigLifter10

I've had this happen once a few months ago in one eye. Increased blood pressure during a big lift. Get your bp checked just to make sure you don't have any underlying issues there. Otherwise, doc may suggest not going so heavy. Any type of major exertion could continue to do it (depending on your issue). Otherwise, it could very well be a one-time thing. Happens with handstands/headstands too - especially if upside down too long. All about the increased pressure in the vessels.

Walter__

You were involuntarily doing the Valsalva Maneuver and the increase in pressure led to you bursting a blood vessel. It may happen sometimes when you are really exerting yourself. That's why some people end up getting nose bleeds as well from heavy lifting.

You need to learn to control it. You do that by learning how to breathe properly.

If I were to guess, I'd say it was from the squats. What you do is, at the top before you descend, suck a big breath of air into your belly, then tighten your abs and hold your breath. Descend into your squat, continuing to hold your breath and keeping abs tight. You start to let it out slightly as you come back up, when you are past the sticking point. Do not completely release it as you're coming up though.. Remember I said just slightly - a hiss or sputter. If you let it all out as youre coming up, you lose stability and will injure your spine. Once you're standing all the way up again that's when you can exhale more to release the pressure. Then get ready for another rep by repeating everything again.

dakotababy

walterc7 wrote: »

You were involuntarily doing the Valsalva Maneuver and the increase in pressure led to you bursting a blood vessel. It may happen sometimes when you are really exerting yourself. That's why some people end up getting nose bleeds as well from heavy lifting.

You need to learn to control it. You do that by learning how to breathe properly.

If I were to guess, I'd say it was from the squats. What you do is, at the top before you descend, suck a big breath of air into your belly, then tighten your abs and hold your breath. Descend into your squat, continuing to hold your breath and keeping abs tight. You start to let it out slightly as you come back up, when you are past the sticking point. Do not completely release it as you're coming up though.. Remember I said just slightly - a hiss or sputter. If you let it all out as youre coming up, you lose stability and will injure your spine. Once you're standing all the way up again that's when you can exhale more to release the pressure. Then get ready for another rep by repeating everything again.

I thought through what I was doing, and Ill admit my breathing was off for the squats for the first set. Just jumped right into it too quick without thinking about my every move (and breathing). Though, I would not have expected that to cause a blood vessel to burst since it really did not seem like a big deal.

I will just keep focus on the breathing more closely and if it happens again, I will see a doctor about it. I actually normally have low blood pressure.

SideSteel

walterc7 wrote: »

You were involuntarily doing the Valsalva Maneuver and the increase in pressure led to you bursting a blood vessel. It may happen sometimes when you are really exerting yourself. That's why some people end up getting nose bleeds as well from heavy lifting.

You need to learn to control it. You do that by learning how to breathe properly.

If I were to guess, I'd say it was from the squats. What you do is, at the top before you descend, suck a big breath of air into your belly, then tighten your abs and hold your breath. Descend into your squat, continuing to hold your breath and keeping abs tight. You start to let it out slightly as you come back up, when you are past the sticking point. Do not completely release it as you're coming up though.. Remember I said just slightly - a hiss or sputter. If you let it all out as youre coming up, you lose stability and will injure your spine. Once you're standing all the way up again that's when you can exhale more to release the pressure. Then get ready for another rep by repeating everything again.

<--- nose bleeder.