Weightlifting Dangerous for HBP Patients? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

boxrz · 09-22-2005, 02:30 PM

Hi,

I like to work out with weights and was diagnosed with HBP a couple of years ago. I'm on medicine now but I wondered whether or not continuing this would be bad for blood pressure. As you may or may not know, your blood pressure skyrockets during the straining of lifting weights.

Thanks All!

crabbyroad · 09-22-2005, 10:42 PM

Only advice from your doctor could tell you, Im sure they would prefer you exercise by doing treadmill, jogging, brisk walks before weightlifting. But only your doctor knows, your history, age, BP readings, risk factors, etc/

cartner · 09-23-2005, 12:40 AM

Hello,

Control your BP then you can work out.
Thanks and good luck
Michael

Moxie75 · 09-23-2005, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbyroad

Only advice from your doctor could tell you, Im sure they would prefer you exercise by doing treadmill, jogging, brisk walks before weightlifting. But only your doctor knows, your history, age, BP readings, risk factors, etc/

If you are going to do cardio in the morning and then weight training later on this is a good idea but If you do cardio right before weight training your glycogen is used up and you have nothing left for your muscle so weight training will be futile. So the rule of thumb in building muscle would be to do cardio hours before your weight training or do your weight training and then cardio afterwards. My husband and I both have high BP and we have both have been bodybuilding for years. We have had stellar BPs until about 2 yrs ago for me and this yr for him. Both of our doctors told us to continue on with our excercise progam and that our high BP is simple hereditary. I totally agree with crabby on getting advice from your doc first Michael as everyone is different..Lisa

Lenin · 09-23-2005, 06:19 AM

The problem with weight lifting is that the VALSALVA situation in your chest, holding your breath so the chest forms a firm brace for the weight, especially in a manuever like a bench press, raises your BP considerably while the excercise is being done.
THis is BAD form.
You can ameliorate the VALSALVA by making sure you EXHALE in the lift portion of the maneuver. Breath OUT during the exertion and IN during recovery (lowering the weight.) The correct way doesn't come naturally and must be consciously learned.

BP unless extremely elevated and uncontrolled should NEVER be a reason to forego the weights. I think that kind of advice usually comes from doctors who have never lifted anything heavier than their checkbooks.

HEavy resistance training should be a part of everyone's life.