Need Info on Diving&Altitude taking Diovan-80 MG & Lipitor 10 MG

[zuzanne]

Help please heading for Jackson Hole Wyoming for skiing and Barbados for diving. Hubby's Doctor just put him on Diovan 80MG for High Blood pressure. She put him on Lipitor 10 MG, 6 months ago for high cholesterol. She told him that his in both cases is hereditary and that diet & exercise while they would help would not lower his to acceptable levels.

She is not a diver so could not answer questions on taking these drugs & their effect on him from diving or high altitude for sking. Would really appreciate anyones advice on this. His total Col. is now 168 down from 236 and his BP is 176/93. He is not over weight and other than these two issues he is in excellent health. He is 59 years old.

Thanks,
Suzanne

 

[Saturation]

Diovan blocks a chemical, angiotensin II, on its action site so it inhibits angiotensin II's effects in raising blood pressure.

Lipitor is a drug that inhibits the creation of cholesterol in the liver.

Both drug have no problems for diving at recreational depths or ascent to above sea level activity. Diovan's kidney side effects can be enhanced by dehydration.

With exercise blood pressure rises further, and how far and its consequences are unknown, but can be severe. A preferred resting BP should be nearer 140/90 and preferrably 120/80.

 

[zuzanne]

:150: Thank you for the reply. This is what we were hoping. Most of our diving is fairly shallow reef or wrecks in the 15 to 60 foot range. As for the altitude, we were concerned about that as we live in South Florida and don't normally go where its cold.

Thanks again,
Suzanne