Hi Everyone,
Good question concerning hypertension, i.e. high blood pressure.
I am a beginning diver and hope to be certified first weekend in December. I'm 57 years old with a 30 year genetic history of essential type I hypertension. High Blood Pressure runs in my Mother's family. Till recently my average hpb has been 170/100. Waaaay to high. It has been as high as 214/124. I work out, treadmill, aerobics, free weights and haven't had salt in 30 years. However, keeping the salt away is almost impossible. I am suppose to be on a daily 2,000 mg limit of sodium. Just one processed meal can have over 1,200 mg. A glass of V-8, remember that's a healthy drink!, can have up to 800+ mg's of sodium.
As soon as I signed up for diving classes I also joined DAN. Their medical personnel from Duke University gave me a 45 minute interview (all for the small price of joining). The major concern with depth diving is the greater pressure on the arteries in the legs. The deeper pressure forces the blood pressure up in the body core (torso).
Through new medications my blood pressure is almost normal. I's down to 130/90. I've lost 50 pounds and have been swimming in preparation for certification.
Diving is my reward for losing weight. By March I hope to beginning taking additional classes in preparation for advanced certification next year. So I have about six months to get in better shape.
Cut the salt, run your ass off, eat healthy and get in better shape. I started having bp problems when I was 25 years old. Don't let it get ahead of you. Act now.
Robert C. Peurifoy