"This past summer I probably reached the best shape of my life. I was piling up long miles, dropping weight, and feeling strong on the bike. Then something odd started happening: every time I stood up, I felt like I was about to faint. Not just once in a while - all day long. Stand up, grab a chair, steady myself, wait for the dizziness to pass. I knew something wasn't right."
"I've been on blood pressure medication for years. Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide had kept me level even when cycling didn't seem to move the needle much. But this time was different. My weight had fallen to the lowest it had been in decades, and my fitness had changed the game. Before doing anything drastic, I started checking my blood pressure at home."
"This all came to a head on a Friday night. The dizziness got bad, and by then it was the weekend. Monday was a holiday. Waiting days for a doctor wasn't an option. So I made the decision to cut my dose in half. The change was almost instant. The faint feeling disappeared, and I knew right away I'd found the problem. Later, when I did finally see my doctor, he agreed that it was the right move."
A period of intense endurance training and sustained weight loss produced frequent lightheadedness and near-fainting on standing. Longstanding antihypertensive therapy with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide became excessive as blood pressure readings taken at home dropped to markedly low levels. With limited access to immediate medical care, the dose was halved, and symptoms resolved almost immediately. Subsequent clinical follow-up confirmed that dose reduction was appropriate. Training-induced fitness gains and weight reduction can change blood pressure requirements and medication needs. Regular self-monitoring, attention to symptoms, and timely medical review allow safe adjustment of antihypertensive therapy.
Read at Theoldguybicycleblog
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