I was recently put on Altace for my high blood pressure. I'm a 37 year old male in otherwise very good shape. It seems I've lost my stamina when excerising. I used to go three plus miles running no problem. Now, I'm winded after one. The only thing I can attribute the change is that I started taking this medication. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Altace was the 1st drug that was prescribed to me 2 1/2 years ago. It was the worst combined with Toprol. Didn't do much for my b/p, but I went from running 3 miles to feeling exhausted after 1. It's the Altace. Why docs. prescribe Altace 1st is beyond me. It did nothing but make me feel more anxious and my b/p actually went up on the drug. It was a really bad combo. I am on Atenolol 100 MGS & Lotrel 5/20 now. My B/P is 108-110 over 61-65 with a pulse of 53. I am weaning off of the Atenolol. No reason to be on a Beta-Blocker with no heart trouble, which was proven from 2 EKGS and a chest Xray..... I just want to feel 34 or younger, not 94.....

Greetings,

Altace is also an ACE inhibitor. I suppose it is somehow "better" (more expensive" than lisinopril or any of the other ACEs. Anyway, I was prescribed 10 mg of lisinopril, rather than a Beta Blocker. My heart rate is normal for my age and athletic (or non) condition, usually 70 bpm.

Supposedly, the ACE was not supposed to lower my pulse. But, after 2 weeks on the stuff, I would get average readings of 55 bpm. One day it was 48! My wife asked if I was even alive! I cut the pills in half and took them that way for a few weeks. Still low. Then, I cut them in half agian, approx. 2.5 mg. After a few days my pulse rate rose back up to a comfortable 65 bpm.

I hear you, I would get tired (not out of breath) but just tired after climbing a few flights of stairs. Also, would get light-headed and just didn't have the get up and go.

I finally weaned off and stopped last week. Well, my BP went back up a little, but I feel better. I know it's a difficult thing, but I really didn't have a great experience with this drug so I am afraid to try another. Maybe I'll take my chances on the BP. Anyone else have any thoughts on this subject.

Regards, Brenden.

Mr.Penn,

ANY BP medication will sap your energy. After all, it's blood pressure that gets nutrients from your food into you cells.
I found that the LEAST ennervating were the diuretics like thiazides. But with them runners have to worry more about electrolyte balance, especially in hot weather.

I take Benicar 20mg. I ran a half marathon in February. Ask your doctor for some samples.

Jay

Sunbird Owner has a lot of knowledge on this subject from his posts. He has been through the trial and error process.

I appreciate your problem that is why I have taken bp meds in the past stay on them, (and pressure still wouldn't go down beyond the bottom number of 90)for a while and then quit because walking a half mile about killed me, when before it was nothing for me to walk 3 miles before I even feel a little fatigue.

so I hear you. having the same problem with torprol, which by the way is not brining bp down at all. but it is keeping jaw pain away and keeping the motor inside me at low idle if you understand my meaning.

RR