Diving and blood pressure pills

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Anyone wanting to dive while taking BP medication (or any other med, for that matter) needs to take into account not only the medication and its side effects, but also the reason the medication is being used. In general, mild hypertension that's well-controlled is not a contraindication to diving, but hypertension is often accompanied by other circulatory and cardiac issues. Also, immersion changes the dynamics of the circulatory system and will place demands on the heart that aren't encountered on the surface. This can seriously exacerbate existing cardiac problems, especially when coupled with the exercise that's involved in diving. Anyone prescribed antihypertensives or other cardiac meds should be evaluated by a board-certified diving physician prior to diving.
Also (with a respectful nod to Dr. Bove), DocVikingo's words "with the treating doctor's permission" cannot be overemphasized. Abruptly discontinuing certain BP meds can cause a rebound hypertensive effect that could be catastrophic to a diver.

 

[DocVikingo]

Anyone wanting to dive while taking BP medication (or any other med, for that matter) needs to take into account not only the medication and its side effects, but also the reason the medication is being used.

An important point, indeed.

Also (with a respectful nod to Dr. Bove), DocVikingo's words "with the treating doctor's permission" cannot be overemphasized. Abruptly discontinuing certain BP meds can cause a rebound hypertensive effect that could be catastrophic to a diver.

As I understand it, in general a rebound hypertensive effect really is not a meaningful concern when only a diuretic is being taken (the context of the post from which this issue is raised). Of course if certain other antihypertensive agents have been prescribed, such as clonidine (e.g., Catapres), then it's a different story.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Doc, thanks for clarifying that. When I said "certain BP meds" I was speaking in general terms and not referring to diuretics specifically.

 

[farsidefan1]

I take a calcium channel blocker, amlidopine. is that one of the "safe" for diving drugs?

 

[DocVikingo]

I take a calcium channel blocker, amlidopine. is that one of the "safe" for diving drugs?

Hi farsidefan1,

I suspect you actually are taking "amlodipine" (brand name Norvasc but the generic form is widely prescribed).

This drug is generally well tolerated, although dizziness/lightheadedness upon standing; headache; persistent, dry cough; and swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles are among the more commonly reported side effects.

In the Dec ‘08 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine (Topic #10: Heart Issues & Cardio Medications), DAN indicated, “Calcium Channel Blockers -- These are another type of medication used to treat hypertension and coronary artery disease, but they don't present the same side effects and risks other medications do. Their function is generally to relax the walls of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure. This is good news to divers, as the medication is generally more conducive to diving (provided the condition it's treating isn't keeping you out of the water). However, divers should be aware that because of the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers in reducing blood pressure, sudden changes in posture (sitting to standing, or head-down to head-up if you're underwater) can lead to an extreme drop in blood pressure, which can bring on dizziness and fainting.”

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[farsidefan1]

Thank you, you are correct (my spelling was really just a quiz to see how good you are ). You passed and you are correct about the side effects. When I am riding my bike in the summer I have to stop taking them altogether. When I stop riding I get faint. We shall see how I am doing by the time of my Palau trip. I have lost 15 lbs and want to lose another 15 before Feb. I'll be swimming 3 times a week in addition to my nutrisystem diet. I may be off the meds entirely by then (fingers crossed). Thanks again

 

[Ardy]

I put on some of the weight I lost in Lembeh and my BP went up again. Just had a back operation and lost 10kg and they had to take me off BP pills as my readings got to 87/62.

I don't think I need another reminder that in my case this is entirely due to my weight. And I am not considered overweight for most guys my size 6'4" and 63. It is just something I need to do to stop my mouth controlling my health.