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Post by mrbeefy on Nov 24, 2006 13:54:27 GMT -5
Just got back from MD appt. NOT Happy  This was just supposed to be a normal 90 day check-up on my blood pressure. I'm normally between 120/80 to 140/90. Todays BP was 160/90. MD "suggested" I give up bodybuilding, Said my bp is too high and that bodybuilding is NOT healthy. Too many related heart attacks, strokes, etc. He didn't like that my weight went up either. (I'm off season, and it's the day after Thanksgiving!) I pretty much shut down listening to him after he said "unhealthy". I am in the best shape of my life, and have never felt better. I monitor everything that goes into and out of my body. I lift smart. I consult with MD's, etc. Time to look for another MD. He is an internist with an agenda to just keep you "experimenting" with so many RX's, I'm not even sure which one works opr doesn't anymore! For years he's been attempting to place me on one Rx or another. The fewer the better, in my opinion. Anyone have similar experiences? What did you do? There is ONE THING that will not happen.....I wil NOT give u p bodybuilding....THAT...my friends is not an option! |
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Post by beckie on Nov 24, 2006 14:40:58 GMT -5
I'm really sorry to hear this Frank but I did have a gut feeling this guy wasn't looking after your best interests. I think the reason your BP was so high is not your exercise regime but incorrect medication rx. My Dad does heavy manual work and his BP remains stable on his meds....
Look for an MD that specialises in dealing with sports people,not the general public-those ones don't know squat!!!
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Post by 1705total on Nov 24, 2006 15:20:58 GMT -5
I think the MD world has missed the boat on what a good bodybuilding lifestyle can do for you. I hate that BMI chart too.
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Post by ntrllftr on Nov 24, 2006 16:30:51 GMT -5
First thing Monday you find another doc for a second opinion, or you will be beating yourself up about this.
I had a similar situation where 2 different doctors told me I had to stop lifting heavy do to leg and knee problems. It's been a long time and I made a point to go see one of those doctors to prove him wrong. Then the Mother****** accused me of using gear. LOL I left mad again. LOL #smileyonsoapbox4jy#
I guess the moral of the story is to go get another opinion and don't look back.
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Post by Tim Wescott on Nov 24, 2006 18:32:24 GMT -5
What a quack is all I have to add,except doctors always tell you how bad bodybuilding is while sitting on their asses sporting a huge gut,skinny legs,and a sunken chest.
I would eat cleaner,and increase cardio to get my BP back down a bit.
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Post by mrbeefy on Nov 24, 2006 19:06:21 GMT -5
Thanks guys!
I really needed all the support I could get on this because I've been pissed off about it all day!
Will certainly do all the above suggestions.
My diet is fairly clean. My Cardio is good, but I'll kick it up a bit.
AND COME MONDAY....I WILL be looking for a new MD with a background in sports medicine. I had found one a few months back, but would have to upgrade my insurance. The $ not the problem, but he paperwork hassle is, since I have to start all the changes through my employer, and working for the Federal Government, paperwork is ALWAYS a hassle!
But come Monday, I'll be making changes!
Thanks for your support!
;D
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jbig
Novice Bodybuilder
Posts: 169
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Post by jbig on Nov 24, 2006 19:10:41 GMT -5
I feel for you brother. Although I do believe the doctor is half-right. He's just telling you what he knows and trying to prevent the very real risks which I'm sure you are aware of by now. I do not agree with what he says about bodybuilding. However, my advise would be different. If you do everything in your control to keep your blood pressure as low as possible you should be fine to continue bodybuilding. This means keeping your weight down as much as possible, stopping drinking and smoking (if you do either of those?), reducing salt and sodium and trying some relaxation techniques. I'm sorry if I'm just repeating what doctors have told you already. Your normal blood pressure looks fine (from what I've read) and at 160/90 patients are usually given around 6 months to change their 'lifestyle' and get it down. One publication says 160/90 is the average bp for a 50 year old, another says for a 60 year old. It really depends on the individual but I think you need to work to get this down buddy because you could face some pretty serious risks if it gets any worse. I don't mean to sound like a quack but I can't just say I think everything is A-OK. Good luck. EDIT: Found a good article on medication. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/bpd_type.htm |
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Post by sicario on Nov 24, 2006 19:47:38 GMT -5
Hey dude, don't sweat it, the ony thing wrong here is telling the "doc" that you bodybuild. I have experienced this tons of times with my trainees. The minute they tell a doctor that they workout, the "doc" says "thats what's causing the problem, stop" without even trying to find the real cause of whatever the problem might be. Whenever some one tells me that they are going to see a "doc" because they have some kind of problem, I always tell them "whatever you do, DON'T tell them you work out, cuz they will tell you that's the problem and won't even bother to find out what's really behind the situation. Don't let it get you down dude, I'm sure that bodybuilding is NOT the culprit here, Vin.
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Post by EBA84 on Nov 25, 2006 11:41:03 GMT -5
Your blood pressure is higher because your body weight is up. I have the same problem and take blood pressure medicine for it. When I get about two months out from a contest, I actually go off the medicine because it drops my blood pressure too low and my resting heart rate into the 30s. If I get above 260 then I need to take more medication so I just stay a lot leaner in the off season now and keep my weight below 250.
Your doctor telling you to quit working out is ridiculous. Mine never mentioned that to me but he did say to keep cardio in the off season.
High blood pressure is nothing to screw around with. It can cause a myriad of other problems. If I were you, I would either drop some weight to get it lower or get on the medication. I think your doctor is associating weight lifting with increased body weight and that is why he is telling you to stop.
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Post by mrbeefy on Nov 25, 2006 15:01:02 GMT -5
Most of this is not new to me, accept the MD wanting to cease bodybuilding. This is the first time I've attmepted tp put on as much lean mass as possible too. Normally I set a minimal goal, and shoot for it, but you know how WE think...want to be BIGGER! How can I get bigger, if I do not put on mass in the off season, without pushing the BP window? Staying lean is cool...no problem with that, but does that mean I just need to shoot for being the "beefiest" bantamweight, lightweight? And does that mean I should rule out dreams of being a "beast" as a lightheavyweight? ?  |
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Post by beckie on Nov 25, 2006 16:05:59 GMT -5
Maybe you need to compromise Frank-there are some AWESOME shredded bantams and lightweights around so why not aim to get as ripped as possible instead of being 'big'. That way you'll still be freaky but in the 'shredded' respect rather than the size!
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Post by EBA84 on Nov 25, 2006 17:07:38 GMT -5
Like I said, you either do it through lowering your bodyweight or you take medication to regulate your blood pressure. I also do not want to lose 30 pounds so I chose to take blood pressure medicine but I do keep cardio in at 5 days a week in the off season and I try to keep my off season bodyfat levels in the 8 to 9% range. This also makes dieting alot easier come contest time.
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Post by Intensity on Nov 27, 2006 14:14:46 GMT -5
Interesting subject Frank! I dont know what to say about it since i've not been to the Doc very often in my life (2-3 times)… mostly du to the fact that i knew the kind of advices i would have received… for exemple: "You have elbow pain? Just stop training your upper body"!!!!
Anyway, i'm very happy because i finally found a Doc specialized in sports/bodybuilding and he'll be fallowing me for my next season…. We'll see what kind of advices he'll telll me after the first appointement on december 4th...
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Post by mrbeefy on Nov 27, 2006 15:11:40 GMT -5
Lucky Man!
I looked into changing my Primary Care Physician (PCP) with my insurance. In order to change PCP, they must be listed with my insurance as a PCP, Family Care or Internist...not as Sports Medicine. Sports Med can be their secondary, but they are NOT listed to search that way.
I finally found ONE, but I would need to upgrade my insurance to the most expensive "version", and then it would knock my wife's Surgeon out, who is NOT listed under the updraded version!
I just can't win here!
By the way...December 4th? Don't remind me...I will be going to have a wisdom tooth pulled! I hate dentists, and have never had a tooth pulled before. I would rather drop a bar filled with plates on my foot, than go to the dentist! But if I did that...then I'd have to go see my quack MD!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
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