Hello. David here. Would love some help if possible.

S

scareydave

New member
Hello.

I was recently diagnosed with hypertension as my BP was 170/110. I only found this out because I finally decided to get of my bum and join a gym. I have been off work for the last month due to stress caused by relationship problems.

Anyway, I am 81.65 kgs in weight and about 5"11. The doctor, who I initially went to for exercise guidance, has given me Ramipril and booked me in for various tests to see why it is so high. In the meantime however I want to exercise and lose the weight around my trunk which is pretty big.

I have switched to a low salt diet. I don't touch alcohol and I am eating lots of fruit and drinking shed loads of water, which I failed to do in the past.

My question is basically this. For the last three days I have been doing 40 minutes of cardio down the gym on the exercise bike and treadmill. Also a bit on the rowing machine. So, is this bad for me? I have read that exercise is the best thing for you. And I really want to get stuck in and lose the weight. Plus I feel really energetic afterwards. However, I don't want to kill myself either.

Sorry for the long post. I just need a bit of advice as the doctor was very brief and hardly helped at all.

Thanks for your time.

David
 
Welcome to the WLf!

I think your doctor is on the right track with you. Cardio is good for the heart. Good luck to you.
 
You will need to ask your doctor which exercises are safe for you, how much, how often and at what intensity. This is a tricky question and I am not qualified to give you advice on this topic, other than to speak with your doctor first. I think you need to find out why it is so high first before you start a serious exercise regime as that with dictate what restrictions you will have. The dietary changes you have made should be fine. You could also look into the DASH diet for hypertension.

If you are going to continue exercising before you get more info from your doctor remember to stop if you feel chest pain, weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, swelling, pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm, jaw, shoulder or other symptoms that are not normal for you. If these things don't go away quickly after stopping you will need to seek medical attention immediately.

Walking is generally the recommended starting exercise for people with hypertension who have not been overly active in the past 3 months. All of the people I know with heart issues work out with doctor and nurse supervision - so I don't recommend going it alone until after you get the ok from your doctor.

Some countries have organizations for different medical diagnosis with information on them related to diet and exercise - you could try looking them up for support and information.

Great job on getting started! I love your motivation and enthusiasm!!! Just don't do to much too soon! Your efforts will pay off in the long run.
 
ijustwannabefit said:
You will need to ask your doctor which exercises are safe for you, how much, how often and at what intensity. This is a tricky question and I am not qualified to give you advice on this topic, other than to speak with your doctor first. I think you need to find out why it is so high first before you start a serious exercise regime as that with dictate what restrictions you will have. The dietary changes you have made should be fine. You could also look into the DASH diet for hypertension.

If you are going to continue exercising before you get more info from your doctor remember to stop if you feel chest pain, weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, swelling, pressure or pain in your chest, neck, arm, jaw, shoulder or other symptoms that are not normal for you. If these things don't go away quickly after stopping you will need to seek medical attention immediately.

Walking is generally the recommended starting exercise for people with hypertension who have not been overly active in the past 3 months. All of the people I know with heart issues work out with doctor and nurse supervision - so I don't recommend going it alone until after you get the ok from your doctor.

Some countries have organizations for different medical diagnosis with information on them related to diet and exercise - you could try looking them up for support and information.

Great job on getting started! I love your motivation and enthusiasm!!! Just don't do to much too soon! Your efforts will pay off in the long run.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great advice. I am taking the meds I have been prescribed which are not too drastic. Just one 2.5mg pill a day. I have also invested in a home BP kit which I know are not always dead accurate but since seeing the doc four days ago and exercising plus eating healthier my BP now reads 140/80 which is really good I think. I have also lost four pounds in weight.

I will continue to do moderate exercise and never let myself get to a stage of complete exhaustion. Just enough to burn some calories and get the endorphins going. I personally think it's the weight I am carrying combined with the recent stress I have undergone with my marriage. The stress is not so much an issue now, just the big belly.

Thanks again for the reply and I'll post updates if you wish to read them!

David
 
AnnaGail said:
Welcome to the WLf!

I think your doctor is on the right track with you. Cardio is good for the heart. Good luck to you.
Click to expand...

Thankyou for the welcome! My doctor was very obtuse on the exercise front. He just wanted to book me in for a blood test and an ECG. Also a kidney scan just to see what is causing this. I go back in a week for some tests so I shal keep plugging away with the medication and doing moderate exercise as well as behaving myself with the diet.

Thanks.

David
 
scareydave said:
Thankyou for the welcome! My doctor was very obtuse on the exercise front. He just wanted to book me in for a blood test and an ECG. Also a kidney scan just to see what is causing this. I go back in a week for some tests so I shal keep plugging away with the medication and doing moderate exercise as well as behaving myself with the diet.

Thanks.

David
Click to expand...

My dh has the same problem, he is on 4 different blood pressure medicines. His ECG and kidney scan turned out just fine. They did a stress test too and wanted to do a heart catheter, but since all the other test came out good, he didn't have to have a heart catheter. Exercise and walking is good for the heart, but if you have a problem that your doctor feels you need to have checked out. You need to listen to your doctor and have the tests done.

Take care and good luck to you!:seeya:
 
Sounds like you are on the right track! Please keep us updated!! I would love to read about your progress. Another exercise option is urban poling or nordic walking - I am just learning about it and so far I think it is pretty awesome!!
 
Sounds like you are making some smart decisions so far. Good for you. Cardio is the best exercise for the heart and as long as you have your Dr.'s clearance, then just keep what you're doing!!
 
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