Author Topic: High blood pressure & diving (Read 991 times)

Jord · « **on:** June 08, 2007, 04:17:52 PM »

You people covered quite a number of topic inc. diabetic & diving . How about those who have high blood pressure? Any effect/complication/advice? :-?

SeaDemon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2007, 06:37:08 PM »

I give you one thumb up for your query. You are correct, this is another common condition that we have overlooked. I know of people with hypertension with BP not exceeding 150/90 and do not suffer from hypertension-related complications who dive BUT ONLY AFTER HAVING BEEN CLEARED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PHYSICIAN. Then again, I'm not a qualified doctor to say whether that is okay.

What effects hypertension has on diving, I shall leave it to Divedoc to answer.

divedoc · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2007, 08:48:40 PM »

Opps!! Forgot to discuss about one of the common illness in Malaysia rite now!!

Yes, hypertension...
The problem with hypertension is, is you are a long-standing sufferer, you may have developed hypertension related complications such as eye problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and so on...so if this is the case, then forget about diving as one may experience exaggerated responses to immersion, cold stresses and exertion whilst underwater.

I would give the green light for hypertensive patients who are on medication(s) and have a relatively good control BP (<145/90mmHg). Anything more than that means that your BP is poorly controlled. I would start medication(s) first before giving the go ahead. But this rule only applies to those patients with Essential hypertension (idiopathic hypertension-meaning that there is no underlying cause to the hypertension). Those with secondary hypertension (young hypertensives) probably having underlying renal or adrenal disease should get themselves thoroughly investigated and completely treated before resuming diving.

Is that fair enough for those hypertensives out there???

SeaDemon · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2007, 08:56:32 PM »

Wah...a systolic pressure of 145 is just slightly higher than the AHA guideline of 140/90. BSAC puts it at 160/90 which I think is a bit too high for systolic.

For those with controlled BP, what do you suggest they do during a dive trip, before a dive and post-dive? Any recommendations to them about how not to aggravate their condition during a dive trip?

Jord · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2007, 09:02:56 PM »

Quote

I give you one thumb up for your query. You are correct, this is another common condition that we have overlooked. I know of people with hypertension with BP not exceeding 150/90 and do not suffer from hypertension-related complications who dive BUT ONLY AFTER HAVING BEEN CLEARED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PHYSICIAN. Then again, I'm not a qualified doctor to say whether that is okay.

What effects hypertension has on diving, I shall leave it to Divedoc to answer.

Thank you Sir!

'hypertension' was the word i was looking for earlier. just didn't cross my mind.

Jord · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2007, 09:07:13 PM »

Quote

Opps!! Forgot to discuss about one of the common illness in Malaysia rite now!!

Yes, hypertension...
The problem with hypertension is, is you are a long-standing sufferer, you may have developed hypertension related complications such as eye problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and so on...so if this is the case, then forget about diving as one may experience exaggerated responses to immersion, cold stresses and exertion whilst underwater.

I would give the green light for hypertensive patients who are on medication(s) and have a relatively good control BP (<145/90mmHg). Anything more than that means that your BP is poorly controlled. I would start medication(s) first before giving the go ahead. But this rule only applies to those patients with Essential hypertension (idiopathic hypertension-meaning that there is no underlying cause to the hypertension). Those with secondary hypertension (young hypertensives) probably having underlying renal or adrenal disease should get themselves thoroughly investigated and completely treated before resuming diving.

Is that fair enough for those hypertensives out there???

Thanks divedoc. agree with u that this is one of the common illness in Msia right now. Was curious how it will affect divers who suffer from it.

SeaDemon · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2007, 09:14:45 PM »

Glad to be of help, Jord...pleasure's mine and Divedoc's.

divedoc · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:31:23 PM »

Quote

Wah...a systolic pressure of 145 is just slightly higher than the AHA guideline of 140/90. BSAC puts it at 160/90 which I think is a bit too high for systolic.

For those with controlled BP, what do you suggest they do during a dive trip, before a dive and post-dive? Any recommendations to them about how not to aggravate their condition during a dive trip?

There is no specific advice for hypertensives on what to do before, during and after a dive. It is best that one should check the BP prior to a dive trip and to check on the morning of the planned dive. Hypertension is a silent killer, so if u do not take precautions, u may not know when danger may strike. That is why the need to swallow your oral antihypertensive pills everyday without skipping a day.

I have given u the baseline BP as a standard for hypertensive divers out there. So ur next step is to make regular visits to ur GP or family physician to get ur BP checked occassionally. With good BP control, there is no reason you should not be out there with ur dive buddies enjoying ur dive trip...

SeaDemon · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:23:53 AM »

Doc...would stress-induced hypertension be included in the essential hypertension category? I know it sounds silly to ask the more or less obvious. Would people with unknown pre-hypertensive signs normally be at risk of getting hypertension?

wmwoo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:32:00 AM »

Quote

Opps!! Forgot to discuss about one of the common illness in Malaysia rite now!!

Yes, hypertension...
The problem with hypertension is, is you are a long-standing sufferer, you may have developed hypertension related complications such as eye problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and so on...so if this is the case, then forget about diving as one may experience exaggerated responses to immersion, cold stresses and exertion whilst underwater.

I would give the green light for hypertensive patients who are on medication(s) and have a relatively good control BP (<145/90mmHg). Anything more than that means that your BP is poorly controlled. I would start medication(s) first before giving the go ahead. But this rule only applies to those patients with Essential hypertension (idiopathic hypertension-meaning that there is no underlying cause to the hypertension). Those with secondary hypertension (young hypertensives) probably having underlying renal or adrenal disease should get themselves thoroughly investigated and completely treated before resuming diving.

Is that fair enough for those hypertensives out there???

Point noted. So it mean those this sport is not suitable for those with hypertension? :-/

Bones · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2007, 06:54:25 PM »

Wmwoo,

If I may answer, what we mean is that those with hypertension may indulge in diving provided that blood pressure is under control. Divedoc has given a rough guide but you still need to liase with your physician to determine fitness to dive. Adhering to your treatment and dietary restriction is important in ensuring good pressure control.

joe · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2007, 03:52:55 PM »

SD..whats the diastolic BP for a fit person?found out 60++ to be athletic

Quote from: SeaDemon on June 08, 2007, 08:56:32 PM

Wah...a systolic pressure of 145 is just slightly higher than the AHA guideline of 140/90. BSAC puts it at 160/90 which I think is a bit too high for systolic.

For those with controlled BP, what do you suggest they do during a dive trip, before a dive and post-dive? Any recommendations to them about how not to aggravate their condition during a dive trip?

John F SeaDemon · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2007, 09:37:24 PM »

Joe...between 60 to 70 I would say is good. 70-80 is average. Below 60 is a tinge too low.

Maybe Bones would be a better person to answer.

divedoc · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2007, 11:24:33 AM »

Quote from: joe on August 15, 2007, 03:52:55 PM

SD..whats the diastolic BP for a fit person?found out 60++ to be athletic

Quote from: SeaDemon on June 08, 2007, 08:56:32 PM
Wah...a systolic pressure of 145 is just slightly higher than the AHA guideline of 140/90. BSAC puts it at 160/90 which I think is a bit too high for systolic.

For those with controlled BP, what do you suggest they do during a dive trip, before a dive and post-dive? Any recommendations to them about how not to aggravate their condition during a dive trip?

I do not think there is such a thing as a diastolic pressure of a fit person. However, if one is fit enough (athletic enough, to be politically correct), one should gauge their pulse rate to ascertain their fitness level.

A diastolic pressure of 70-85 is actually what one should aim for. Anything more or less than that, one should have their BP check every once in a while to confirm hypertension (>90mmHg) or hypotension (<60mmHg).

joe · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2007, 10:13:51 AM »

Quote from: divedoc on August 18, 2007, 11:24:33 AM

Quote from: joe on August 15, 2007, 03:52:55 PM
SD..whats the diastolic BP for a fit person?found out 60++ to be athletic

Quote from: SeaDemon on June 08, 2007, 08:56:32 PM
Wah...a systolic pressure of 145 is just slightly higher than the AHA guideline of 140/90. BSAC puts it at 160/90 which I think is a bit too high for systolic.

For those with controlled BP, what do you suggest they do during a dive trip, before a dive and post-dive? Any recommendations to them about how not to aggravate their condition during a dive trip?

I do not think there is such a thing as a diastolic pressure of a fit person. However, if one is fit enough (athletic enough, to be politically correct), one should gauge their pulse rate to ascertain their fitness level.

A diastolic pressure of 70-85 is actually what one should aim for. Anything more or less than that, one should have their BP check every once in a while to confirm hypertension (>90mmHg) or hypotension (<60mmHg).

ic..then whats the pulse rate for fit person?not know much bout this but suddenly concern on my body

..neway,thanx bro doc..u too SD bro

divedoc · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2007, 06:20:40 AM »

Quote from: joe on August 19, 2007, 10:13:51 AM

Quote from: divedoc on August 18, 2007, 11:24:33 AM
Quote from: joe on August 15, 2007, 03:52:55 PM
SD..whats the diastolic BP for a fit person?found out 60++ to be athletic

Quote from: SeaDemon on June 08, 2007, 08:56:32 PM
Wah...a systolic pressure of 145 is just slightly higher than the AHA guideline of 140/90. BSAC puts it at 160/90 which I think is a bit too high for systolic.

For those with controlled BP, what do you suggest they do during a dive trip, before a dive and post-dive? Any recommendations to them about how not to aggravate their condition during a dive trip?

I do not think there is such a thing as a diastolic pressure of a fit person. However, if one is fit enough (athletic enough, to be politically correct), one should gauge their pulse rate to ascertain their fitness level.

A diastolic pressure of 70-85 is actually what one should aim for. Anything more or less than that, one should have their BP check every once in a while to confirm hypertension (>90mmHg) or hypotension (<60mmHg).

ic..then whats the pulse rate for fit person?not know much bout this but suddenly concern on my body ..neway,thanx bro doc..u too SD bro

A pulse rate of <60 beats per minute makes you fit enuff...provided u're not on any medications that slows down ur heart rate, such as beta-blockers e.g Atenolol, Metoprolol etc...

High blood pressure & diving