Blood Pressure

[airsuckindog]

I hope someone can lead me in the right direction. During exercise if your target heart rate is 130 bpm what should your blood pressure be? Is there a chart somewere that post that kind of information? My Doctor said I am safe to dive but has started me on blood pressure meds. Normally at rest my bp is 111/62 heart rate of 58bpm (which is good) I know that. But during walking/jog get my heart rate to 136 bpm my blood pressure was 171/94. Doctor told me to limit my heart rate to 120 bpm and prescribed blood pressure meds but has not told me what my pressure should be during exercise.I have searched but not come up with any good answers. Can anyone help? thanks in advance

 

[TSandM]

The diagnosis of hypertension is based on a resting BP. If your resting BP is 111/62, you do not need hypertensive medication, at least according to my education and opinion. If there is any question about you having hypertension, you should keep a log of your BP -- under similar circumstances and at the same time of day -- for a period of time (week or two). Share that information with your physician.

As you exercise, your heart rate AND blood pressure will increase. I am not aware of any reference that gives a "normal range" for exercise induced BPs. Perhaps one of the trainers on this board (eg. Cameron Martz) will know if that information exists.

Persistent resting BPs with diastolics (the lower number) in excess of 80 are now considered an indication for treatment. But I have never read anything that suggested that EXERCISING pressures in that range were an indication for intervention.

 

[mdjh51]

I agree with TSandM. Seems odd that they would treat you for an exertional HTN. Could possibly cause you to pass out when not exercising, as the meds do not know what exertional level you are at, they just work.

 

[airsuckindog]

Thanks for Your response.I am keeping a log of my BP readings and heart rate and time of day. Doctors appt. the end of this month and i will have the info for Him.

 

[Cacia]

yea, looks like you are 48 yrs old...your resting BP is actually very good for that age.



Oh, and one little side note. There is this "older" nurse that works for my doctor and she always took my blood pressure and kept telling me I was borderline. (diastolic) so, I got my own battery operated digital one and started using it...well, I think she is deaf! (she doesn't use the digital style) because I never get a reading close to what she gets. I notice when I go in and talk to her..she talks very loud and says "what"? a lot. I guess my point is that, especially when someone is starting you on meds, be sure to validate the readings. (This particular nurse has recorded 90 on my diastolic for the past year in my chart...possible, but I have never gotten a reading that high at my other doctor, or on my own)

I think in this day and age, everyone should probably own a digital BP monitor. Very encouraging to notice the drop, even after about ten days or so of an aerobic exercise program!