Inversion and Blood Pressure

[Bombay High]

I have recently started doing inversions with gravity boots as part of my workout regime.
I really like it, and have found it to be very beneficial.
I have been told that it is medically not advisable and can pose an increased threat of stroke due to increased blood pressure in the brain.
I was wondering if this was true, and whether that also held true for when you are inverted underwater ?
Confused ...

 

[guruboy]

I don't know about strokes, but if you are upside down, the blood will pool in your head due to gravity.

I assume gravity works underwater as well.

 

[TSandM]

In fact, the brain, absent trauma, has superb autoregulation -- meaning that if your blood pressure goes up, changes occur in the brain vessels to keep it steady; same if it goes down. The small changes involved in standing on your head present no risk to your brain if your brain is normal.

 

[Sat Diver]

.... standing on your head present no risk to your brain if your brain is normal.

And THIS is why Bombay High should avoid it at all costs !!

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I often do a "head stand" while diving to get a picture under a ledge or other close spot. Sometimes I will be in that position for several minutes. I have never felt any adverse effects, nor have I ever heard that one should not do this.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

The effects of gravity on the body are essentially neutralized with immersion, so being inverted under water is not the same as it is on the surface. Here's an old paper on some of the physiologic effects of inversion boots:

The effects of inversion traction ... [J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1986] - PubMed - NCBI

Best regards,
DDM