Medical Guides

Do athletes suffer from blood pressure problems?

We tend to think of athletes as being some way above the normal health issues that most of us deal with on a day by day basis. But in fact, sportsmen and sportswomen suffer from the same kind of ailments that we do - and blood pressure is no exception.

Research studies show that older athletes sometimes have an increase in their blood pressure levels and this should be closely checked. It’s a good idea for anyone over the age of seventy who is still involved in sport to see their doctor once a year for a check up. In general, exercise is thought to be good for your blood pressure and should have the effect of making the heart stronger and of causing a reduction in blood pressure. But this is not always the case. Even very young and very fit athletes can be found to have high blood pressure. The main problem is that many of them are never checked or tested and the problem only comes to light when they collapse or become unwell during sport.


How blood pressure affects athletes
Having a high blood pressure reading without being aware of it will put you at risk of stroke or of heart beat irregularity. In some cases hypertension can even trigger a heart attack. Headaches after competing are a warning sign. Unexplained loss of energy or a feeling of “palpitations” should always be investigated. Chest pain or collapse during or after exercise needs urgent testing by a specialist.


High blood pressure is not the only issue in athletes – low blood pressure can also be a problem. Now, of course, many athletes will eventually develop a low blood pressure level as a result of their training and the fact that the heart becomes more efficient. But this is not always the case and some will develop low blood pressure because of over training, anemia, medication use, dehydration or other reasons. Faints or funny turns in athletes – whether due to low blood pressure or not – need to be taken very seriously and investigated by a sports medicine doctor.

 


Blood pressure monitoring in athletes
Athletes training at a very elite level will have support from a team of sports scientists – but this is not open to most of us who simply compete now and again and enjoy the company and fun that training brings. My rule of thumb is this: if you are regularly involved in sport then you should have your blood pressure checked and make a note of the readings. If you are over the age of 35 then you should have your blood pressure checked once a year. Those over fifty need blood pressure and preferably heart checks more often than that. If in doubt you can buy yourself a cheap blood pressure monitor to check your own levels at home. If the readings are high then go see your doctor for a full check up examination.

 

Special concerns about blood pressure medications
Competitive athletes are bound by tight rules and regulations about what medicine they can and can’t take. The rules apply whether they are about to compete or whether they are in a non competition phase - often referred to as the "off season." WADA - the world anti doping agency - issue detailed lists each year of the drugs that are banned or permitted for athletes. Some blood pressure medications do appear on the list of banned substances - although the rules vary a bit between different sports. Sports competitors are allowed to apply for what’s known as a Therapeutic Use Exemption in respect of a drug that their doctor thinks they need for genuine medical reasons and many do so every year. But there’s another problem.

Most drugs used to treat blood pressure problems have side effects associated with them. Common side effects of blood pressure medications include fatigue, joint and muscle aches and impaired exercise tolerance. These side effects may only be of minor nuisance value to you or I - but to a highly tuned athlete, they may be devastating.

The treatment of blood pressure in athletes is a specialist area and only a few doctors worldwide focus on these areas. Many involved in sport simply just choose to "muddle along" - often putting their health at risk by doing so. If you compete in sport and have high blood pressure then please seek some medical advice. Don’t delay - you might be putting your health (or even your life) at risk!

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