Lisinopril and Running

algebravoodoo
algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
edited October 27 in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, I am fine with getting older, but the BEING old part, not so much. I went to the doctor yesterday and after years of healthy blood pressure readings, it finally happened. I have turned into my mother. Both of my parents died from conditions related to high blood pressure and I have taken my cues to not follow their behavior and work to prevent this for myself. Sadly, genetics won.

Anyway... does anyone out there have any experience with running while taking this medication? I'm on the 20/25 Lisinopril with Hydrochlorothiazide. I feel so draggy right now, but I am hoping that is just an adjustment issue.

Replies

  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Here was my experience: I ran into the same issue 4 yrs ago. Same medication--actually a lower dose. This medication is supposed to have minimal side effects, but I did not find that to be the case. I found that I could only go so long in an exercise session before it just felt like someone pulled the plug. I could only go about 25 min, maybe 30 pushing it.

    At that time, I was just starting to get back into exercise and running, so I just stayed with it for awhile, but it never got better. At one point, I ran out and it took a week or so to get the prescription refilled. After 2 days off the meds, it felt like I had a blood transfusion, or EPO or something. I was not only able to push to 45 min without a problem, I smashed all of my times and "records" up to that point--on both the treadmill and cross trainer.

    I thought maybe the increase in fitness would help push me through the medication effects, so I started back on the pills. Within 2 days, the hammer came down and I was wasted after 25 min again. At that point, I just stopped taking the meds (not something I recommend--at the same time I had a falling out with my MD, so I kind of went out on my own). My BP normalized w/wt loss and exercise, but after a year or so it started creeping back up again--it's something I need to focus on again.

    I have some education and training in these things and I did as much research as I could--I could find no reference of any exercise side effects. I speculate that either the reduced plasma volume due to the HCTZ or the mild vascular relaxation from the ACE inhibitor prevents effective blood shunting to the working muscles once one reaches a certain level of intensity or duration. Or there is some other mechanism that inhibits cardiac output.

    It's not anything you would notice with normal life activities, but exercise is a different situation. It's frustrating because the idea of someone my age (late 50s) following a vigorous exercise program, while certainly not all that unusual, seems completely foreign to the medical establishment.

    So, that's my N=1 experience. Maybe my experience was an outlier, maybe my symptoms were completely unrelated to the medication. But I found it difficult to maintain my running/workout program to my satisfaction while taking that medication combo.

    Hopefully, I haven't skewed your experience with auto-suggestion. I would definitely see if you can make it work. It certainly did an excellent job of lowering my BP.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    Thank you so much for your input!
    I did a little online research and found many who said the same thing, both on and off fitness websites. even marathoners complained of the same effect.

    I go back in two weeks. There has got to be another option. As high as mine was, medication is necessary, hopefully for short term, although given my family history, I wouldn't bet on it. I just cannot make it feeling this weak. I could not even muster up the energy to go outside today. Maybe I will be the lucky one and this dragginess will ease up soon.

    Thank you again!
  • BrawlerBella
    BrawlerBella Posts: 400 Member
    I was on Lisinopril 20 and Verapamil 180 and I had the same effects as @Azdak. I would even fall asleep at work on my desk. I couldn't function. I went back and forth with my doc and no solution even after changing dosage and meds. My HBP finally normalized with my lifestyle change and I no longer take meds. My advice would be to log everything and take the data in to your doc for review. Keep a close eye on your sodium intake as that could be a culprit as well.
  • bridgelene
    bridgelene Posts: 358 Member
    I was previously on Lisinopril, and came off of it when I lost a bunch of weight before and my blood pressure came down. Then I put back about double what I had lost and had a lot of stress in my life and ended up back on BP meds. This time Atenolol and HCTZ.

    I didn't have any problems with the Lisinopril (or actually none with the Atenolol or HCTZ either), but fatigue is considered to be a "common" side effect of Lisinopril/HCTZ -- occurring in up to 3.7%. Also to be aware of, the ACE inhibitor part (Lisinopril) can cause a chronic dry cough. And as HCTZ is a diuretic (a thiazide diuretic) some other potential side effects can include cramping, electrolyte imbalances (but potassium supplementation should only be done under the supervision of your doctor), and potentially issues with hydration.

    Also, if you're diabetic it can impact your blood sugars for some people.
  • bikhi
    bikhi Posts: 175
    it lowered my blood pressure too much and gave me a dry cough that wouldn't go away. had to go off it.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I used to be on two different blood pressure meds (Micardis and Norvasc) at maximum doses each. Felt like junk all of the time--fatigue, loss of muscle mass, additional fat, etc. Then I read that going off sugar and wheat can bring blood pressure down. So, I thought, what have I got to lose? So I stopped eating sugar and wheat. My blood pressure immediately started to drop and I was able to taper off both meds in about six weeks. My pressure is staying down and it has been almost a year. One thing you need to address is magnesium deficiency. Since you are a runner, you are probably magnesium deficient. About 85% of Americans are magnesium deficient because of dietary habits. When you add vigorous exercise, magnesium deficiency becomes a very big problem. Supplementing can be difficult because many people get diarrhea from magnesium supplements. What you can do is take Epsom salts baths (Epsom salts are pure magnesium sulphate). If you are deficient in magnesium, you will absorb the magnesium right through your skin. If you decide to go this route, aim for two 15-minute soaks a week (the bathwater should be as hot as you can stand it without burning yourself). Follow package directions for amounts. I usually use 2 cups per bath (Epsom salts are cheap, so don't worry about the cost). Magnesium is essential for SO many processes in the body (and prescription medications like B.P. meds can drain it right out of you--especially diuretics--stress too is a culprit). Magnesium is essential for relaxing the veins and arteries and will make the B.P. go down just from that effect. If you are going to go for getting off the meds, get yourself a home B.P. monitor and take your B.P. several times a day at first. Make sure you keep a log of your measurements so that you can show your doc. Good luck!

    p.s. Both of my parents died of hypertensive problems. My dad died of congestive heart failure and my mom died of a stroke.
  • Viola47
    Viola47 Posts: 121
    My boyfriend actually takes Lisinopril. He said that it took him a couple weeks to adjust. Also, he started taking it at night and he said that helps A LOT. That way he doesn't feel as off during the day.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    I was on Lisinopril 20 and Verapamil 180 and I had the same effects as @Azdak. I would even fall asleep at work on my desk. I couldn't function. I went back and forth with my doc and no solution even after changing dosage and meds. My HBP finally normalized with my lifestyle change and I no longer take meds. My advice would be to log everything and take the data in to your doc for review. Keep a close eye on your sodium intake as that could be a culprit as well.

    Yeah, sodium can be a big issue. I use more table salt on the slugs outside than I do on my food, but I know it is hidden in some of the oddest edibles! I'm looking and checking to see if I am getting more than I think. Thankfully, I eat way more whole foods than I do pre- packaged processed.

    @ bridgelene... I used atenolol back before I lost weight and found a healthier happier way to live too. Stress led to adrenal burnout and eventually pancreatitis and all the trimmings of an unhealthy lifestyle. The atenolol worked well and I had none of what I am feeling now. After a year, I was able to go off it.

    Thanks, everyone, for the input!!
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    My boyfriend actually takes Lisinopril. He said that it took him a couple weeks to adjust. Also, he started taking it at night and he said that helps A LOT. That way he doesn't feel as off during the day.

    EXCELLENT idea!!
  • chadgard
    chadgard Posts: 102 Member
    I was on Lisinopril several years ago. I had similar side effects - serious stamina issues when working or working out. I took myself off of it when I was training for a NOLS expedition (30 day Outdoor Educator with Wilderness First Responder, in the Rockies in Montana. one of the key experiences of my life!). I needed to be able to work out for more than 30 minutes at a time to prepare and simply couldn't do it on the Lisinopril (and of course I couldn't make it through the expedition). I was monitoring my BP daily, and was back in the high normal range in 3 weeks of training.

    When I returned from my expedition, I had inadvertently learned to cope with stress better, as well as lost 27 pounds. my BP was normal, up until this January (4 years, and 35 additional pounds). This time, though, I got the OK to start running again (knee injury) from the orthopedist, and convinced my doctor to let me stay of the Lisinopril for a couple of months so that I will be able to tell if running and weight loss are sufficient to reduce my BP without the meds (so far, it's looking promising!).

    I'm going to do all I can to avoid being put back on the Lisinopril, because in addition to the work/workout stamina issue, I became extremely irritable and moody when I was on it, and I don't want to have that again!
  • Gr8ChangesAhead
    Gr8ChangesAhead Posts: 836 Member
    Glad to know it isn't just Me. I have been working out at the YMCA and after about 30 min I am done currently on Lisinopril40/HCTZ 25 have a Dr appt Monday will talk about it then hopefully there will be a better alternative.
  • richh963
    richh963 Posts: 78 Member
    I take lisnopril10/hctz12.5 and havent notice any problem except a occasional cough, and bp is primo
  • Kristinemomof3
    Kristinemomof3 Posts: 636 Member
    If anyone has a cough from it, that's one major side effect. I had to switch to Losartan. I son't have high bp, I had a dissection in my artery and they automatically put me on stuff, hoping to be off soon. Having labs done in two weeks.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    Okay. First workout survived.
    I was running just fine then about 15 minutes into it, I hit a wall, like Icould not take another step. I went and checked my weight and I had already sweated out almost 2.5 pounds!!! YIKES!! I am having visions of a full camel back for running even 5k's this summer. Anyway, a few minutes later, I got that second wind and went back at it. I was able to lift with no problems, just having to stop every so often and let my body recover.

    @ Kristine... Hoping for the best results for you!!

    @ everyone ... thanks for the input!
    I feel so much better knowing that this is normal for my situation and it is not a death nail for workouts!
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    I've been on the lisinopril for almost a month a now and I am gaining weight, barely able to pull off a GOOD workout. I have no problems with energy during a normal day of teaching, but running and lifting are getting to be a challenge! Absolutely no stamina!

    I've got a 10-mile race Memorial Day weekend and I a not sure now if I can even walk it in the allowed time. Last weekend, I trudged through a 10k but it took an hour and 20 minutes!

    The doctor is going to have to find a better solution for me. It seems this med is actually working against me.
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    I was fine on it. Sometimes it felt like I couldn't grab 5th gear if I went to full bore sprint though. Luckily I was able to get off of it 30 lbs. ago.

    My dose was half that and I'm 32 fwiw.
  • jackrd
    jackrd Posts: 1 Member
    I'm in a similar situation, heredity, weight gain and stress finally caused my BP to get to a point where my Doc put me on a Lisinopril 10mg. I hated the idea of being on a medication at age 49 for the rest of my life. Anyway, working on getting the weight down and back in shape so I hopefully can get off of it. What I notice is that when I lift weights, high intensity short breaks and run at high intensity short breaks I lose my wind, and have to stop and take a break. Never had issues like this until I started on this Med; used to just get to muscle failure, but now it seems to affect my cardio. Good to know I'm not losing my my mind and others are having similar issues; also, thank you for some of the suggestions on lowering BP!
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    jackrd wrote: »
    I'm in a similar situation, heredity, weight gain and stress finally caused my BP to get to a point where my Doc put me on a Lisinopril 10mg. I hated the idea of being on a medication at age 49 for the rest of my life. Anyway, working on getting the weight down and back in shape so I hopefully can get off of it. What I notice is that when I lift weights, high intensity short breaks and run at high intensity short breaks I lose my wind, and have to stop and take a break. Never had issues like this until I started on this Med; used to just get to muscle failure, but now it seems to affect my cardio. Good to know I'm not losing my my mind and others are having similar issues; also, thank you for some of the suggestions on lowering BP!

    If things don't improve, you might want to ask your doc if there is another alternative. After I went off the lisinopril, the BP went up again, even at the lower weight. For a variety of reasons, I was stupid and left it untreated for a couple of years. Last year, I started taking Losarten. I found that it does not seem to affect my cardio. I've recently ramped up my cardio training and things are going fine. I have had some orthostatic hypotensive issues which are common to all BP mess and that has affected my strength training up to now, but I am starting to claw that back as well.

    Keep up the interaction with your MD if you continue to have issues and keep exploring your options.

  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    edited May 2016
    I'm on Lisinopril 12.5 mg and have never noticed it doing anything to me. I take it and my supplements before my treadmill work. Speaking of those supplements: Quite without my doctor suggesting, I've been supplementing with magnesium for several years. It caused my blood pressure to fall closer to the normal range. I also take a potassium supplement, but since I've started using No Salt I'll not replace the bottle when it's empty.
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