High blood pressure

[shellmoundal]

Last weekend I had a bout with high blood pressure. I have never experienced high blood pressure before. I am going to my Dr. today and get checked out.
I feel fine and I was not diving at the time of the incident.
My question is does anyone of you know if it is an acceptable practice to cave dive if you have your blood pressure in control by medication?
I don't feel that I have been stressed from work. I am not overweight and I have had no medical problems.

[FW]

Last weekend I had a bout with high blood pressure. I have never experienced high blood pressure before. I am going to my Dr. today and get checked out.
I feel fine and I was not diving at the time of the incident.
My question is does anyone of you know if it is an acceptable practice to cave dive if you have your blood pressure in control by medication?
I don't feel that I have been stressed from work. I am not overweight and I have had no medical problems.

That is more a question for DAN.

[tursiops]

My question is does anyone of you know if it is an acceptable practice to cave dive if you have your blood pressure in control by medication?

I certainly hope so!

[FW]

They let pilots fly on high blood pressure medicine, but they have to take regular "Exercise EKG" tests (aka "stress test")

[Tegg]

I have found that cave diving lowers my overall blood pressure for an extended period of time.

There is just some sort of internal zen that takes place when I enter a cave, doesn't matter if the vis sucks, flow is high, or even if I am diving with Stillman. I come out completely relaxed.
(Well except for the collapse incident, but that would make anyone's blood pressure shoot up)

I have also found that it is NOT the same effect when in OW... Which is interesting....

[twaldo]

I have found that cave diving lowers my overall blood pressure for an extended period of time.

There is just some sort of internal zen that takes place when I enter a cave, doesn't matter if the vis sucks, flow is high, or even if I am diving with Stillman. I come out completely relaxed.
(Well except for the collapse incident, but that would make anyone's blood pressure shoot up)

I have also found that it is NOT the same effect when in OW... Which is interesting....

Diving was compared to Yoga a few years back... I know I can sit at the bottom of a swimming pool and get the de-stressing effect... Open Water, Cavern/Cave all have the same effect on me.

That being said, I would be talking to my MD.... ultimately it is going to be your call as to whether or not you dive (and kind of diving) with hypertension... The more important issue is WHY did you have a bout of high blood pressure. DAN is a great resource, but there are few things that they suggest you NOT dive if you have.... and the ultimate answer your going to get is talk to your doctor...

Tim

[divingabe]

I have been using blood pressure meds for several years and they have not ever interfered with my diving.
Gabe

[whodunit68]

agree with Forrest - check out your class of meds on http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...ess_and_Diving
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...q/Hypertension

[gschaut]

1. Don't listen to anything I say, ASK D.A.N.

2. That being said, there are several classes of drugs for HBP. I'm on a diuretic, it just makes you pee more. Reduces BP by reducing volume. Good for people who have high BP due to fluid retention. Other classes include beta-blockers, alpha blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium channel blockers, vasodialators.

Some DO cause problems diving, some don't, and some do SOMETIMES.

ASK D.A.N.

[divingabe]

From past experience your physician will determine if you need meds. If needed he will give you one of the many available and see if it does the proper job for you. Meaning that there is no other way but trial and error to see which of these will work for you, beta-blockers, alpha blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium channel blockers, vasodialators, and also what dosage is the most efficient. This will take some time so be patient, do ask DAN which type have good track record for diving and you can suggest to your physician that you would like to at least give that type a try should you need some scrypts.
I have been using a beta-blocker and diuretic for quite a long time and so far have not had any problem, but as stated by Gshaut this will all depend on your particular make up.

Gabe