Anyone here take high blood pressure medication?

[John O]

I just checked around and couldn't fine any serious side affects with Arginine.

Although I did find  in Health Journal

Arginine for better sex

http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Menhealth/arginine.htm

[burn2live]

Had a thought tonight and am wondering about Arginine.  I have been taking it for a while now, just the straight powder in water, primarily because it is supposed to help with vasodilation, although it does have some other benefits too.  I am wondering though if that might be giving me the heart trouble?  Mostly everything I read seems to imply it is good for the heart.  I did read something though where it said NO2 might cause heart palpitations.  When I first started having trouble, I was taking Niox and NO-Explode (or Endorush), all of which have a  good dose of Arginine.  Over the course of last summer when I came off most stuff, I didn't have any noticeable heart pain I can recall (was nursing a broken arm at the time, not a good year for me).  I got to taking Arginine again because the BP was high.  I didn't notice any immediate pain or palpitations with it at first, but I am now wondering.  I use the powder three times a day usually, don't really measure, just kind of eyeball it, maybe about a tablespoon or so.  It may not be anything, but curious....  Maybe I'll stay off it for a bit, see of there is a difference.  Any thoughts?

Why not just play it safe and just stick to whey as regards supplementation?

[John O]

High BP is a dangerous thing.  You really don't want to mess around with your meds. Try putting the bottle next to your tooth brush or something so you don't forget to take it.

Thanks!  that is a great idea!. Funny though. I give my dog a daily muti-vitamin supplement and  a hip /joint supplement. I NEVER forget to give her her meds!!    But can't remember to take mine. 

[paulsed1]

I think it is pretty safe to say it is the supplements.  Most tests I have been getting are coming back fine as it relates to cardio health.  I actually came across a study online that was done back in 2004 (I think) that reported on some negative side effects people got from using arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, the main arginine source that is used in most NO products.  It is hard to find the darn thing now.  I have taken NO products over the last few years, so I think maybe these things aren't the best thing for you long-term.  I know some will say it is good to lower blood pressure, but I think they can mess with your heart.  Believe me, I love to take supplements that work, but if they are causing palpatations and arrythmias (sp?) is it worth it?

So what is good to take for someone that wants to build as much size and strength as possible and still be safe?  I guess MRPs, protein, creatine, glutamine (if it even does anything), aminos, EFAs, vitamins.  Anything else?

[paulsed1]

I am having trouble finding the study abstracts, but check out this link from another website, which they will hopefully allow me to show here.  I have no idea who this guy is, but what he is saying makes sense and doesn't sound good.  I guess the research is there if you know where to look.
http://www.bodybuildingdungeon.com/forums/supplements/2912-no-explode.html