Earlier in the year I started having problems with high blood pressure. With all the information I could gather, I think the main catalyst was just too many supplements in the wrong combo, namely NO-Explode and Arimatest among others. As much as I like those pre-workout boosters like BSN's and all the other similar one's out there, I wonder if they are really that good for you over the long run.
Not too long after this problem came about, I wound up fracturing my humerus, so the blood pressure took a back seat (not one of my luckiest years). I wound up getting surgery for that and got some pretty good advice on here reagarding that. Anyway, I was off most "exotic" supplements for a while, eating clean and doing a pretty good amount of cardio, so the BP problem wasn't on the radar, although I suspect it was still high.
Well, the last couple months or so, it seems to be coming back as far as being noticeable. I sometimes get light-headed during my workouts. I got it checked last night and it was in the high 140's over 96. I know, pretty high. But I also just got back from a business trip to FL and had slept about 4 hours the previous night, had coffee in the morning and taken two plane flights. Maybe not a factor, who knows. I have slacked on the cardio recently, so I need to get back on track with that. For supps, I thought I would try apple cider vinegar, arginine, grape seed extract, cayenne pepper, hawthorne berry. I also try to eat a good amount of garlic, bananas for potassium and limit salt intake and alcohol. I always have used EFA's. For muscle building, for now just stick with MRPs and protein I guess. I am about 230 lbs. and don't have a whole lot of bodyfat. My mother had high BP in her 60's and I am 36.
The thing that worries me is if I can't get this down on my own, I may have to start taking BP medication. I really don't want to at all, but I suppose if it comes down to living, it will be neccesary. I just worry about side effects. I still want to build muscle, I like building size and strength, but want to be healthy of course too. There are definitely some days where I don't feel good because of this. Does anyone out there take BP meds and still work out successfully? I guess the beta-blockers are the worst for side effects. The diuretics concern me as far as losing electrolytes, but I guesss if I drink enough water and take the right vitmains, that should be okay...
