High BP

Sounds like your doc is pretty on top of things.  Multiple elevated resting readings are needed for a diagnosis of hypertension.

Not much you can do about genetics if everything else is optimized.

Congratulations!  I'm in about the same boat  

Couple of years ago, I dropped 35# and started exercising.  My cholesterol went from 170 to 150 while my BP stayed right around 140/85.  I checked with a machine at work this morning, and it was 157/97 with a HR of 53 (BP isn't usually that high). 

Eliminating sodium and caffeine allegedly help (I don't add much salt, but I also don't choose "low salt" options, and I'm not ready to give up caffeine). 

I was taking garlic and potassium supplements, and that seemed to have a small impact. 

Well, after a couple of weeks of repeated checks at the grocery store, I met with my doc yesterday.  Here were my numbers:

10/5: 130/89, 129/88
10/10: 154/92, 138/92
10/12: 120/80 (phlebotomist at blood donation center), 143/96
10/15: 145/94, 134/86, 131/94

Doc has decided to go ahead and treat me for HBP.  She has started me on Labetalol 100mg, twice daily, and would be surprised if we had to increase it.  I talked to her about my concerns regarding effects on training, etc., and she thought this was the best choice (her focus is on family medicine--not sure about her experience with endurance athletes). 

Is there anything I should know about Labetalol, other than what is included in the leaflet that comes with the script?  Any particular concerns I should bring up to my doc?

I probably shouldn't be answering this since I hsve no mdical background, but have been dealing with my own HBP over the past three years. 

A quick google search tells me that Labetalol is a beta blocker, its main effect being to suppress the heart rate.  I was on a beta blocker since I was diognosed (although another one) till recently.  The beta blocker severely limited my training efforts and preformance while I was on it.  Most notably, very soon after I stopped taking it my bike speeds went up 1-2 mph.  At the time I was on both the beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker and now am still on the CCB.

Also Salt: From the time I started training I was on a limited salt diet (~1100-1200 mg per day) I don't think this ever effected me.  I was/am a heavy sweater but have never left salt stains on my workout gear.  I believe that if you limit your salt intake your sweat gets naturally less salty so you don't lose as much during training.  But I'd get a medical opion on that before I'd believe me.

Wow.  That is NOT what I'd choose for you at all.  When there are so many other agents out there that can treat hypertension without inhibiting your training, I'm not sure what your doc is thinking.

As always, this is posted with the disclaimer that I'm not your physician and don't know your entire history. 

Thanks all for the replies.

Derek/AB,

Are there any particular agents I should ask the doc about, or any questions I should ask?  I already told her about my concerns with being on a beta blocker, given my training/racing--she still thought the labetalol was best.  Should I talk to another doctor?  A specialist?  What kind?

In terms of pertinent medical history:

*the doc also started me on very low dose synthriod at the same time as I started labetalol (a little over a week ago)--TSH was a little high (with a pattern of being a little high or on the high side of normal over the past 4-5 years), and cholesterol was a little high (with a pattern of being a little high since my very first cholesterol test, although my ratio is good). 
*I'm also on claritin. 
*Hubby and I would like to try to start a family in the not too distant future.
*Family history of heart/cardio issues (aunts, uncles, grandparents) ranging from bypass surgeries in the early 40s/50s to aneurisms.  Mother and brother also have been/are being treated for HBP.