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Exercise-induced Hypertension
Hello,
I am a 55 yo male and long-time athlete, who recently developed very minor chest discomfort at rest. EKG's always having been normal, my PCP decided to order a Cardiac Stress Echo, which I had four days ago. During the second phase of the test at a heart rate of about 140, my systolic BP jumped to 230 and the techs aborted the test.
Needless to say the possibility that exercising with a HR of barely 140 bringing on a systolic BP spike high enough to cause a stroke is completely devastating to a life-long athlete. I was a runner since high school, avid tennis and basketball player, and most recently road cyclist doing century (100-mile) rides regularly.
Has anyone dealt with this issue? I have taken BP meds since I was 30 (have metabolic syndrome and family history of HBP) but my BP has always been well-controlled at a resting state (typical 140/90--current meds: Benicar 40 MG 1/day and Clonodine .1 MG 2/day) I will say that I have gained 25 lbs in the last two years and work a very stressful job resulting in my PCP increasing BP meds dose recently.
I have read that maybe some BP meds are better than others for this exercise-induced spiking of BP? I have also read that there are people with NORMAL BP that have this issue. Very confusing...
Has anyone found any cardiac arterial blockage issues that might cause this (I am going to demand a cardiac CTA when I see the cardiologist next week)?
The thought of never being able to exercise hard again is completely depressing---would appreciate any information anyone might have. Thanks so much.
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While working at a new job and walking about 5 miles per day, I was at the point of collapse. My PCP began to look further at my request. During a treadmill stress test my BP remained at 120 systolic. The tech was bragging on result until I stepped off and BP spiked to 176. As she exclaimed, I was saying I was dizzy and felt faint. Scheduled for a 2nd one using a dye. Anyone else have this happen?
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1 ReactionHello @njg4695,
I moved your to this existing discussion about exercise hypertension. I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who have discussed the same.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
Systolic blood pressure (BP) normally rises with exercise in response to the increased demand of oxygen from working muscles. However, when there is an abnormally steep rise in systolic BP during exercise, this phenomenon is known as a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE). On the other hand, any factor that increases pressure against the artery walls can also lead to elevated blood pressure. Here’s more information from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prehypertension/symptoms-causes/syc-20376703
Did your PCP offer an explanation or any suggestions, @njg4695?
Hello. I am a 48 year old woman who recently experienced a stress test with similar results as posted here. I went from 120 to 220 within the first 30-45 seconds. Amazingly I was able to complete the stress test only to find out that everything else seemed normal. Upon my follow up my bp was 134 - not a big deal. Im a little hyper anyway, but given me 30 minutes and bp is normal anytime anywhere. Everything else (except cholesterol) was excellent. You name it I had zero other issues. I am currently overweight and began beach walking again recently when I noticed my chest would get tight and breathing became labored. I figured it was bc I had not worked out in 3 years and I'm fat and I will work up to it. After the first week I was feeling the same. Some days better than others. I had some PREDNISONE left over from bronchitis last year and figured I would take it and use it until I was back to "normal" for me. And, that seemed to help - a great deal. So upon my primary visit I requested some. She looked baffled but obliged. She also said I needed to see a cardiologist based on what I told her I needed the PREDNISONE for. So, ok. And, here we are. Stress test was fine just not my spike to 220. I managed to stay on the entire 6 minutes just barely. They probably should've stopped me but I am a bit tenacious anyway. The two performing the test were SUPER freaked out, which freaked me out. My BP stayed high for 5-7 minutes and then went down enough I could go and get the images done. I thought there was something imminently wrong until I got results back 5 days later. My test and images were BOTH fine.
No liver problems, no kidney problems, no diabetes, not even high BP.
1. This is what I know so far: Few doctors know this even exists. And, for whatever reason when I took/take PREDNISONE it works. I hadn't taken the Prednisone for over 24 hours when I took the test. Be interested to find out the difference.
2. Never ever listen to your Dr. if they say they don't know why but... Mine decided they don't know why but I will put you on BP Meds. I sayd "WHY? MY BP IS FINE?" She said bc it spiked and 134 is not normal. I said check it now and would be normal. She didn't. Now I see how taking something you don't need could be pretty bad, by lowering my BP too much. That is uncool.
3. I found a concentrate capsule of Blueberry that corrects cholesterol.
4. Will try mixture of prednisone and (all natural) Glucosamine with Collagen and Tar Cherry with Turmeric which is a natural anti-inflammatory and see what if any all natural works or combined with prednisone.
5. I have breathing problems from being a smoker. Have had wheezing as of late and am taking White Lungs and it is clearing everything out. So I can breathe more freely without an inhaler, etc.
I feel like there is really something to the prednisone and will let you know what happens overall - if I can get this corrected to the point that I do not, we do not, have diminished capacity and can back to normal - it would be amazing.
I would hesitate to use prednisone as a long term therapy for this. Prednisone has many side effects that can contribute to health issues in the future, including osteoporosis.
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1 Reaction@schmidt That is so right Prednisone is a steriod and to much is bad for your kidneys especially .With saying this a low dose maybe better ask pharcist or your Dr
Has your cardiologist mentioned any for of cardiomyopathy? There are different kinds and can show themselves at different points in life. I have a genetic form that became obstructive in my mid 40s. Cardiomyopathy causes the heart muscle to become stiff and any form of exertion can cause high BP, irregular heart beats, etc.... might be worth checking into and mentioning. Good luck!
Get a second opinion. There are "interventional cardiologists" out there who could help. After my heart attack and open heart surgery bypass, all exercise= post exercise LOWER blood pressure, which is desirable. It shows the blood vessels are expanding with exercise and collateral vessels are forming.
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1 ReactionI'm a 21 Y/O male in the army as a medic with the 75th Ranger Regiment For the last 12 weeks I've had a constant pressure in my head with extreme pain and throbbing in the right side of my head. With exertion I become dizzy my head hurts more especially on the right side of my head towards the back as well my vision changes and I get nauseous with right sided face numbness and visible pain and discomfort and facial droop. I've become more forgetful, searching for words, confused and slower and less energetic than before. I've had an echocardiogram, EKG, CT of my brain with contrast, MRI and MRA of my brain, all blood labs normal to army standards, all have been normal. My stress test however my BP spikes to nearly 240/120 when I come close to a jog, I am no longer able to do most duties even walking up two flights of stairs without experiencing my symptoms. My BP normally ranges in the 150-160s/ 80-90s as my bassline. It will spike up with exertion and plummet to the 110/50s and then back up to my bassline over the course of an hour and the spike drops from the 200/100s almost immediately after I stop the activity causing the issue too I drink up to a gallon of water a day and am always thirsty, peeing frequently and I've experienced heat injuries on three occasions in my army career. I am on a Lisinopril 10mg now, Norvasc 2.5 mg,propranolol 60mg, and divalproex 500mg, I've also taken L-Arginine
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2 ReactionsWelcome to Connect @troy75rrmedic. You'll notice that I moved your post to this existing discussion about exercise hypertension. I did so that you can benefit from the valuable information members have shared on this topic. If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
Systolic blood pressure (BP) normally rises with exercise in response to the increased demand of oxygen from working muscles. However, when there is an abnormally steep rise in systolic BP during exercise, this phenomenon is known as a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE). On the other hand, any factor that increases pressure against the artery walls can also lead to elevated blood pressure. Here’s more information from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prehypertension/symptoms-causes/syc-20376703
Troy, have you been to see a physician about your symptoms? This warrants medical attention.
Troy, FIRST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!! I wish I was knowledgable enough to help you. Don't know if you are going to the VA or what. Also, don't know if you have a PCP or not. Inlooking for one my criteria would be that he or she should be over 45-50 years old so they don't go by the BS that the younger doctors are told to say by the admistration!
Good Luck!
Thanks Again for your Service!
Our thoughts are with you to find help!
Sundance(RB)