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I take BP meds and feel fine when I run.
I’m 50, been running for about 2.5 years. Don’t smoke, don’t drink, 5’11″ 170 pounds.
However, I have a BAD family history of heart problems.
I have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation which can result in periodic episodes of irregular hearbeats and skipped beats. It’s not immediately life threatening but you have to cool it for a week or so as you recover from an episode.
My most recent episode resulted in a change in medications. I discontinued a beta blocker and started something that controls the heart rhythm. As it turns out the beta blocker also controlled blood pressure and the new med does not. When the meds changed, I suddenly had high blood pressure. Now I take Lisinopril and monitor my BP. As a matter of fact, yesterday’s appt with the doctor was all about BP, and she said it was in a good range.
After I quit worrying and started running with joy again I’ve noticed no negative affects. I’ve adjusted my schedule so I get more sleep and run after work instead of 5:30 AM. Two days ago I felt like I could have run for the rest of the night!
Three months ago I was chugging along right at an 8:00 pace over a 3.5 mile course. After the change in BP I slowed it down to 10:00. Now I’m at about 8:30. I always get to around 90% of my target heart rate (no matter what the pace) and it’s back to a normal range (less than 95) after about 7 minutes. Fully recovered from the run, my resting heart rate is around 60. I attribute that to the meds and the running.
Get it checked out, and heed the doctor’s recommendations. Dietary habits are hard to change, so give it a good effort. Nutrition ideas in Runner’s World are very helpful to me. And talk to people about it when you get the chance.
I feel fine. Running is the best part of the day. As the doctor told me, go run!
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