exercising and High BP?

justle
justle Posts: 275 Member
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
So i had a body comp test today at the gym, i had my BP taken, i had this taken at the gym last week too (for the same test but we had to do it again today cos a bit of the equipment was missing).

Anyway, my bp last week was high "borderline" at 140/95 he said, i thought that was a fluke and today would be better, well it wasnt, it was still borderline @ 140/93.

I've booked into see the nurse on Wednesday (earliest i could get) but i'm wondering if i should refrain from Gymming until i've seen her?

anyone have any experience of this?

Replies

  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I don't think so. Exercise and fitness helps high blood pressure. I've had high-border line since I was 25.
  • danizaga
    danizaga Posts: 293 Member
    high blood pressure has a genetic component to it. it could have nothing to do with your exercising but it's good that's your checking it out.
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    I have high BP that needs to be controlled with medication.
    This diagnosis was the impetus behind my real effort to lose weight!

    When I was diagnosed back in the spring I was working out 4 days per week and the workouts were fairly intense martial arts training classes.

    I asked my Doctor if there was any risk if I continued my exercise regime. His answer was that I had a much bigger risk of a stroke or heart attack due to my weight than I do by exercising. His suggestion/prescription was that first and foremost I needed to lose weight! As for my exercise, he gave me carte blanche to continue. He said that regular exercise is helpful to controlling the high blood pressure as it lead to a more efficient heart & circulatory system.

    He did say however that I should not be training for ant marathons! (I guess that the stress on the body with extreme sports would be asking too much)

    Note: This is my experience only. When it comes to something as serious as high blood pressure. See your doctor as soon as you can.

    Best of luck!
  • lisa91263
    lisa91263 Posts: 49
    I was borderline high for 20 years but last year it spiked to dangerously high. You should not work out at high intensity if your blood pressure is high I would recommend walking or moderate cardio ( lower end of your training zone ) until you see your nurse.
    Hope this helps.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    high blood pressure has a genetic component to it. it could have nothing to do with your exercising but it's good that's your checking it out.

    ^THIS^ my parents have high blood pressure, and it seems the more weight I lose and better I try to eat, my BP is still a bit high. I don't go to the doctor though just because they'll put me on Medications and I refuse to take absolutely anything. It can be remedied naturally, I know it can. Good luck.
  • kcmg0730
    kcmg0730 Posts: 96
    My husband just tested borderline, too, and was told NOT to exercise until they checked it again. So, it may be different for everyone, and you may want to just ask to make sure.
  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    I was borderline high for 20 years but last year it spiked to dangerously high. You should not work out at high intensity if your blood pressure is high I would recommend walking or moderate cardio ( lower end of your training zone ) until you see your nurse.
    Hope this helps.

    This is the best advice so far, besides seeing your doctor about BP medication. Whenever we encounter clients with high blood pressure, we MUST avoid any activity that will raise his or her BP too high. This does not mean you are completely restricted from exercise. But, for example, I can't have you doing squats because that exercise definitely raises BP. Instead I might have you do lower intensity exercise like dynamic stability with a carefully mapped out progression. That way you can build some strength and work on some inflexibilities you might suffer from.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I was borderline high for 20 years but last year it spiked to dangerously high. You should not work out at high intensity if your blood pressure is high I would recommend walking or moderate cardio ( lower end of your training zone ) until you see your nurse.
    Hope this helps.

    This is the best advice so far, besides seeing your doctor about BP medication. Whenever we encounter clients with high blood pressure, we MUST avoid any activity that will raise his or her BP too high. This does not mean you are completely restricted from exercise. But, for example, I can't have you doing squats because that exercise definitely raises BP. Instead I might have you do lower intensity exercise like dynamic stability with a carefully mapped out progression. That way you can build some strength and work on some inflexibilities you might suffer from.

    Without specific diagnostic information, this falls under the "do no harm" threshold and is the same thing I would say to the OP.

    There are a myriad of causes for resting hypertension. Some of those are "overridden" by the metabolic demands of exercise, so during exercise the person has a normotensive response. For others, the demands of exercise "add on" to the already high resting blood pressure and that can send systolic blood pressure up to dangerous levels. In additon, as you stated, different activities can have different effects on blood pressure--as a rule, upper body exercise, overhead movements, and heavy lifting--esp if you have a tendency to hold your breath--tend to drive blood pressure higher.

    If you have received evidence of a high resting blood pressure, and are unsure about exercise, the best advice while waiting to see a doctor would be to stick to lower-intensity, dynamic, aerobic activities. Chances are excellent that you will be able to resume a vigorous workout routine with the right treatment.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    My husband just tested borderline, too, and was told NOT to exercise until they checked it again. So, it may be different for everyone, and you may want to just ask to make sure.

    ^^^^^^^THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    You are different than everyone else - make sure you consult your doctor before continuing the exercise to determine if its ok until your appointment....

    Ive worked in Cardiac before.....so many patients in the same situation as you, hun!
  • justle
    justle Posts: 275 Member
    thanks for all the replies, i was genuinely shocked to hear i have high bp i'm young and despite the slight extra weight still i'm quite healthy, i even have a resting bp of 52 which apparently puts me in the athletic catagory I had lower bp when i was 50lbs heavier!!


    I Have been suffering from regular and quite bad headaches in the last couple of months and i'm guessing i've just found the reason why!

    I'm up to the gym tonight but i'll just work on the easier exercises i've been given (toning) and maybe a swim, i've got the nurse on wednesday to check me out.

    so thanks again, i really must learn not to use google to answer health queries!!
  • LeanMeanFitnessMachine
    LeanMeanFitnessMachine Posts: 659
    Definitely don't stop exercising. Exercising is a huge component in lowering high BP. Theres dozens of articles on it, try Googling it!
  • becka63
    becka63 Posts: 712 Member
    I'm someone who thankfully has very normal blood pressure. When I went for a BP test recently, I had done some cardio exercise that morning including a HIIT, when I got tested, my BP was slightly raised. It was still in the normal category, but for me it was not normal! I had it retaken a few days later, without having exercised and it was back to its normal reading.
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