High Blood Pressure

Hi folks!

Just wondering if anyone had any insight into diving with high blood pressure. I am currently on Lisinopril 5mg and it usually runs 120-130 systolic and 80-90 diastolic. I've read in some places that diving is perfectly fine if blood pressure is controlled, but just wanted to know before booking excursions if anyone has done this or has any advice on the subject for me. Diving has always been on my bucket list, so not being able to would be pretty upsetting! Thanks for your time!

Hi folks!

 

Just wondering if anyone had any insight into diving with high blood pressure. I am currently on Lisinopril 5mg and it usually runs 120-130 systolic and 80-90 diastolic. I've read in some places that diving is perfectly fine if blood pressure is controlled, but just wanted to know before booking excursions if anyone has done this or has any advice on the subject for me. Diving has always been on my bucket list, so not being able to would be pretty upsetting! Thanks for your time!

I personally would ask my doctor. I too suffer from HB, but to trust an answer you may get on here.

If you plan on doing any sort of dive excursion, check out this medical form:

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/forms/pdf/10063-ver2-0.pdf other dive agencies might have slightly different forms, but this one should be accepted by most anyone.

Can you answer yes to anything on it? If so, it is unlikely an operator will let you dive without doctor's clearance. If you plan on just doing a Discover Dive on a cruise- go to the doctor and get a physical and this form signed; it would suck to be turned away because they have you fill it out there and you have the check "yes" on one of the items. Quite honestly- I wouldn't like to dive with anyone who DOESN'T have you fill out this or a similar form; IIRC most dive deaths are due to health conditions, not actual dive accidents.

I didn't read closely, but it looks like High Blood Pressure is only a risk factor if you are over 45, and even then, if it is well controlled you most likely are not really at risk.

If you plan on doing any sort of dive excursion, check out this medical form:

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/forms/pdf/10063-ver2-0.pdf other dive agencies might have slightly different forms, but this one should be accepted by most anyone.

 

Can you answer yes to anything on it? If so, it is unlikely an operator will let you dive without doctor's clearance. If you plan on just doing a Discover Dive on a cruise- go to the doctor and get a physical and this form signed; it would suck to be turned away because they have you fill it out there and you have the check "yes" on one of the items. Quite honestly- I wouldn't like to dive with anyone who DOESN'T have you fill out this or a similar form; IIRC most dive deaths are due to health conditions, not actual dive accidents.

 

I didn't read closely, but it looks like High Blood Pressure is only a risk factor if you are over 45, and even then, if it is well controlled you most likely are not really at risk.

Thank you for the form! I'll definitely check it out. I'm only 26 (I'll be 27 at my time of sailing) so age isn't an issue, but I was going to talk to my doctor before I went anyway. Just wondering if there are any other people out there who suffer from hypertension who have been diving, and any advice they could give me. My blood pressure is genetic so it would be pretty lame if that stopped me from one of my dreams. :(

Yes, many people dive with treated high blood pressure. I would suggest talking to DAN and then get clearance from your doctor. Maybe DAN can give you a referral to a doctor in your area who also dives.

that's what I was gonna say ... ask your doctor and maybe check with DAN

if you are just a beginner you may not be familiar with DAN - Divers Alert Network

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

they put out a very good magazine as part of membership and it always has articles about health concerns and diving and has a lot of information free to non-member too via their web site . . .

IME if you are generally in good shape such that diving is not excessive strain on your body, & u have properly managed BP via your meds (that is, meds keep you in the "good" range) then you'll probably get a doctor's OK. After all, exercise is recommended to CONTROL and improve your condition!

BUT DON'T take our word for it ... talk to your doctor!

that's what I was gonna say ... ask your doctor and maybe check with DAN

 

if you are just a beginner you may not be familiar with DAN - Divers Alert Network

 

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

 

they put out a very good magazine as part of membership and it always has articles about health concerns and diving and has a lot of information free to non-member too via their web site . . .

 

IME if you are generally in good shape such that diving is not excessive strain on your body, & u have properly managed BP via your meds (that is, meds keep you in the "good" range) then you'll probably get a doctor's OK. After all, exercise is recommended to CONTROL and improve your condition!

 

BUT DON'T take our word for it ... talk to your doctor!

I appreciate your help with this! I'll definitely talk to my doctor and will look over all the information I've been given. I wouldn't dive just from forum advice, I promise. Just wanted to see if anyone else out there dives with this problem. My mom has been a registered nurse for 25 years and is convinced I'm going to throw a clot! I keep telling here half the population has HBP and still dives.

I also appreciate the link to the site, as I'm definitely a beginner. This was my first step in gathering any sort of information.

Also, while I'm here! Anyone have an advice on a dive spot (if I get clearance) on a cruise itinerary that stops in Roatan, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize? :D My boyfriend and I will be going in January. He's got a clean bill of health.

I too take lisinopril 5 mg to control my blood pressure.I make approximately 50 dives per year.My Doctor is also a diver.He tries to convince me that I also have Type 2 diabetes which is treated with Metformin.My Doctor sees no reason for me to stop diving.You should talk to your Doctor about your condition and yes DAN can also give great advice.You just have to know your own body and limitations.I have stopped the 'stupid deep" dives due to my age and physical condition.I also dive only Nitrox if the MOD allows it.Hope this helps and you don't have to be Superman to enjoy our sport.

I have high blood pressure and take 160 mg.Valsartan. I dive all the time about 70 dives a year, most in the dark, cold Great Lakes. There is absolutely no reason not to dive. If your doctor isn't a dive medicine doctor, then it is a waste of time to ask him about it. If you have been on your medication for a while and know how your body reacts to it, then you won't have any worries or problems. I would answer no to all the question on the release form or you won't dive.

These are such great replies, thank you! I was scared I was gonna have to give up on my dream. I'm currently on lisinopril 5mg and have recently started exercising every day in order to get in shape. My cruise isn't until January so I figure there's a chance my blood pressure might even even itself out before then. I'm just hoping for one good dive on our cruise, was thinking about cozumel or Costa maya.

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having discussed the BP issue, may I make another comment .... background, I've been diving since mid 70's and still active diver at 58 and take BP meds ..... What follows here is what I call Managing Expectations . . .

If you are not certified, what you are looking at doing is called a 'Discovery Dive' and is usually run by a PADI facility (see PADI.COM for description).

http://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/diver-level-courses/view-all-padi-courses/discover-scuba-diving/default.aspx

A Discovery Dive is an exposure to SCUBA diving. The instructor needs to give you some training in skills first, and THEN can take you out for a swim, while keeping an eye on the time(????) The skills takes an hour or so ... getting gear takes time .... consider your cost versus the time .... 2 hours is average ... how much of that is your DIVE?

Don't expect to see "the great stuff" on a Discovery . . . you probably won't be at the greatest dive site the place has to offer .... but you will go underwater with a tank and THAT may be enuf to hook you . . .

Just sayin . . .

I was thinking about possibly taking a safety course in my home town before traveling. I live near a pretty large lake so the scenery wouldn't be like anything I'd be seeing on my cruise! I would feel more comfortable doing this, I think, than taking a shorter course just in case something went wrong. I think it would be a good way for me to get a grip on the equipment needed and how to work everything and handle myself in emergency situations.

I do appreciate all the posts from people who suffer from HBP and are still able to dive though. It's very refreshing after all the naysaying I've been hearing from people I work with!

That's an fairly low dose of Lisinopril, so I am guessing your BP isn't too out of whack to begin with (and/or you are very tiny).

As some others have suggested, you should speak with your doctor. As the Captain suggested above, I would absolutely call DAN. Actually, I would call them first. The DAN folks are all medical experts who only deal with divers... Most MDs don't know squat about diving (and how it impacts us physically and psychologically). I personally think that anyone who travels to dive is foolish to not to carry DAN (or other) dive insurance. If you have a dive emergency, DAN is there. The internet stories of divers not having access to a chamber or travel back to the CONUS after an emergency because they don't have insurance to cover the costs, albeit rare (in real life), are true.

Simply put, DAN (or other) dive insurance is the smartest money a diver can spend. 'Sorry if my opinion is a little strong here. I'm one of those "DAN was there" stories, although not dive related.

As to the OP, without question DAN will be able to speak about your exact condition better than your MD would (for diving), unless your MD is a diver him/herself. When I had my "little" medical episode, DAN literally called my hospital (neurological surgery department) every day checking on me, and I was in the CONUS on a non-dive related problem. DAN spoke with the attending, spoke with how my issue was treated, and cleared me to dive with no restrictions. That was nearly 400 dives ago. Oh, and I take Alplazolam (liked it better than Lisinopril). DAN rocks...

Join DAN. OK, I'll get off my soapbox.

As for the dive sites, look through this forum. Scroll down a few pages. I just recently did a review on Aldora Divers in Cozumel. Lots of decent advice around here. Most will suggest you stay away from the ship's excursion and use the independents for a better dive experience for less money.

Good luck,

Griff

That's an fairly low dose of Lisinopril, so I am guessing your BP isn't too out of whack to begin with (and/or you are very tiny).

 

As some others have suggested, you should speak with your doctor. As the Captain suggested above, I would absolutely call DAN. Actually, I would call them first. The DAN folks are all medical experts who only deal with divers... Most MDs don't know squat about diving (and how it impacts us physically and psychologically). I personally think that anyone who travels to dive is foolish to not to carry DAN (or other) dive insurance. If you have a dive emergency, DAN is there. The internet stories of divers not having access to a chamber or travel back to the CONUS after an emergency because they don't have insurance to cover the costs, albeit rare (in real life), are true.

 

Simply put, DAN (or other) dive insurance is the smartest money a diver can spend. 'Sorry if my opinion is a little strong here. I'm one of those "DAN was there" stories, although not dive related.

 

As to the OP, without question DAN will be able to speak about your exact condition better than your MD would (for diving), unless your MD is a diver him/herself. When I had my "little" medical episode, DAN literally called my hospital (neurological surgery department) every day checking on me, and I was in the CONUS on a non-dive related problem. DAN spoke with the attending, spoke with how my issue was treated, and cleared me to dive with no restrictions. That was nearly 400 dives ago. Oh, and I take Alplazolam (liked it better than Lisinopril). DAN rocks...

 

Join DAN. OK, I'll get off my soapbox.

 

 

As for the dive sites, look through this forum. Scroll down a few pages. I just recently did a review on Aldora Divers in Cozumel. Lots of decent advice around here. Most will suggest you stay away from the ship's excursion and use the independents for a better dive experience for less money.

 

 

Good luck,

 

Griff

DAN was there for me too. My instructor pretty much insisted I join after my OW certification in 2000.I had an incident 3 years ago on Fathers Day that required medical attention. I spent. one day as an outpatient and my bill was $7795.00.I was treated at the local hospital and I drove myself there.Imagine the cost if emergency evacuation was needed !.With my private and DAN insurance my cost were a couple of gallons of gas and a Big Mack. If you dive,please carry dive insurance.If hospitals don't get paid,they will close.I know of many hospitals that don't treat divers for this very reason.The cost are just prohibitive.If you are in a foreign country you may very we'll be denied treatment without insurance or cash.

Here's the DAN FAQ page on high blood pressure:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/Hypertension

As some others have suggested, you should speak with your doctor. As the Captain suggested above, I would absolutely call DAN. Actually, I would call them first. The DAN folks are all medical experts who only deal with divers... Most MDs don't know squat about diving (and how it impacts us physically and psychologically).

Do you think DAN would be able to suggest a doctor who could clear me or should I just avoid the hypertension question on the safety questionnaire? My blood pressure is, as I stated, regulated from the 5mg Lisinopril. I have no problem with exercise and have never had asthma or any other breathing problem. I'm just unsure if I check the hypertension box on any safety questionnaire if it will automatically rule me out, even though it is regulated and I am physically active and in decent shape.

It's up to you whether you check the box or not, but if you do, you most likely will not be allowed to dive. I'm on 0.1 mg thyroid medication, which is a very small dose. When I went on my first ship's dive excursion right after being certified, the DM almost wouldn't let me dive. She kept asking if it was for high blood pressure and I kept answering, no, it was for an underactive thyroid. She finally called the doctor who worked at their shop and I could hear the laughter over the phone after she asked him. I was allowed to dive and since then have answered "no" to all medical questions.

I'm just unsure if I check the hypertension box on any safety questionnaire if it will automatically rule me out, even though it is regulated and I am physically active and in decent shape.

I asked my doctor if my meds were effective enuf to do 'anything' I wanted to do ... dive, ski, sky dive. My Dr told me to go for it .... I'm not suggesting HOW you answer the question on the form, but IME if you check YES and don't have a document from a doctor ... you're done

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I'm not sure what you mean by taking a 'safety course' b4 your trip. In diving you are either certified or you are not certified. There ARE levels of certification, but with NO certification, all you can do is a Discovery ... or take a certification course!

Can you extend your vacation? I got dd certified in 2 days in Key Largo a couple of years ago. With PADI you can do all the book work on line, then you arrange with a teaching facility and they give you the written test, pool skills and 2 dives one day, 2 dives next day and tada you are now open water certified! Actually you can do this in NY too, but the water is nicer in Key Largo!

Do you think DAN would be able to suggest a doctor who could clear me or should I just avoid the hypertension question on the safety questionnaire? My blood pressure is, as I stated, regulated from the 5mg Lisinopril. I have no problem with exercise and have never had asthma or any other breathing problem. I'm just unsure if I check the hypertension box on any safety questionnaire if it will automatically rule me out, even though it is regulated and I am physically active and in decent shape.

Yes, DAN can suggest a doctor, however, your own doctor can likely do it. The question asks if you have high blood pressure or are on medicine to control it, there really isn't a way to "avoid" the question without outright lying, but that is up to you. In the very unlikely chance there is an incident, I do wonder if insurance will cover you if you did not answer truthfully and dove without doctor's clearance.

If you check the box, and have not had a physical ahead of time- you will not be allowed to dive. If you prepare by bringing the signed form with you from your doctor, they are going to let you dive. That's the whole purpose of those forms.

I have three or four boxes checked on my form (not blood pressure). I carry the signed copy from my doctor, and all the providers we've used have just photocopied it (I also keep a scanned copy in case anyone takes it). My doctor is not a dive medicine specialist, but she had not problem completing the form. (For my own personal feeling of well being I talked to some hyperbaric physicians DAN recommended, but they don't do physicals.)

If all you want to do is a Discovery Dive, there is no course to take ahead of time.

We chose to get certified locally before leaving on our cruises, but then we canceled our cruise and just went on a dive vacation :)

And, I think PADI Discovery Dives include DAN insurance, like OW classes do- maybe I'm wrong though. (But I've never known anyone to do a DD to have dive insurance, most of them don't even know it exists. If you are a certified diver, never dive without it!)

Some good advice up there. A couple of tidbits, without trying to overwhelm you with information or caution.

“One good dive” – I’d choose Cozumel over Costa Maya, but that’s just an opinion.

Giving up on your dream because of 5mg of Lisinopril? No way. Please read what the others have said, many of us are on mild meds and dive often, some semi-professionally (on this thread).

The medical forms are written by attorneys.. Nuff said. Any DM, instructor, or knowledgeable & experienced (not synonymous) diver can you, usually while still on the boat, who the potential rescues are. A form by attorneys can’t do that.

I concur with WreckDiver’s comment, 100%. If your doctor doesn’t know the physical and emotional impacts of diving, you’re possibly wasting your time. A majority (not all) of the dive emergencies that occur with inexperienced divers happen because of the emotional factors and not the physical stress on the body. Keep calm.

You refer to Safety Course.. I too am clueless what you mean. Are you certified? It’s a yes or no. If you are, then maybe a refresher, which any instructor of Divemaster (not the same as a Master Diver, who cannot perform them) can perform.

If you are not certified, then a DD, or DSD (Discover Scuba Diving), might be a good call. I do them all the time (living in SoFL) and if you do one, as Capt BJ mentioned, you’ll know very soon if SCUBA is for you.

As for DAN suggesting a MD, I wouldn’t count on that unless their stance on that has changed. Diving emergency? They know who to send you to. General practice MDs? They used to stay away from MD’s they don’t know. It may simply be a question of whether they know someone in your area. If they don’t know anyone, they will gladly be a resource for your General Practitioner.

You refer to Safety Course.. I too am clueless what you mean. Are you certified? It’s a yes or no. If you are, then maybe a refresher, which any instructor of Divemaster (not the same as a Master Diver, who cannot perform them) can perform.

I am not certified. I've never been diving in my life. I've done my fair share of snorkeling, which I understand has nothing to do with diving, but that's about as far as it goes. I was thinking of getting certified before I go on my cruise through an instructor up here in Northern New York (brrrr!). I feel I would benefit more from a more indepth description of safety than a brief cruise course would teach me.

I am not certified. I've never been diving in my life. I've done my fair share of snorkeling, which I understand has nothing to do with diving, but that's about as far as it goes.

OK, that helps a lot. .....OK, here comes the "advice' part, which is worth exactly as much as you're paying for it ;-) .....

I'd recommend a Discover Scuba, although honestly I am not sure you need it. Let me tell you why... I think you already have the right mindset and dedication to 'know' you want to be a SCUBA diver.

Any Divemaster or Instructor will tell you that there are 3 primary obstacles in someone learning how to dive:

1.) Do you know how to swim? If you can't, you're not going to be a diver. Swimming is in every Open Water certification test. 'Sounds like you can do this.

2.) "breathing through one of those skinny tubes" (snorkel)... You have said you can snorkel.. so let's check that one off your list.

3.) When doing certifications, here's where folks (who pass 1 & 2) get tripped up... mask clearing. You're going to have to flood and clear, and also take off and replace your mask. You need to do it. Sounds scary... it isn't . Keep calm and remember that we actually have been swimming our entire lives in swimming pools without a mask... so mask clearing is easy.

So if you're reasonably fit and can handle numbers 1 - 3 above, you'll be fine.

As for getting certified up there versus while on your cruise, I strongly suggest getting certified before your cruise. The course material is about the same (all the certification agencies have guidelines each shop must follow)... but getting certified at home will allow you more time to ask questions at a more relaxed pace.

Also, do you really want to do your pool work on the cruise ship? Do you really want to do your skills requirements while on vacation? You're on a vacation!!! I am a true blond and have a simple rule... no tests while on vacation... So do the "work" at home, and save the "play" for your cruise... Others may (and will) disagree, but that's simply my opinion.

I absolutely agree. I was going to do the Discover Scuba when I first started cruising solo in 2009. I went to the local dive shop to buy some equipment and they looked at the schedule and said I could be certified before the cruise. I jumped at it and have been diving ever since. Had to go and change my excursions!

I am not certified. I've never been diving in my life. I've done my fair share of snorkeling, which I understand has nothing to do with diving, but that's about as far as it goes. I was thinking of getting certified before I go on my cruise through an instructor up here in Northern New York (brrrr!). I feel I would benefit more from a more indepth description of safety than a brief cruise course would teach me.

Do it! I think you would DEFINITELY get more safety information becoming certified than doing a Discover Dive off a cruise ship. You'll also learn to be responsible for yourself and get to do way more interesting dives on your vacation. (And Cozumel is a great place for that- it is SO easy to book with a private dive op and do awesome dives in small groups.)

As for scuba/snorkeling- I actually learned to scuba dive as part of my plan to get better at snorkeling. The breathing out of my mouth freaks me out. When I scuba dive I mouth breathe in, but breathe out my nose (most people don't do this, but it is the way I'm comfortable, and keeps my mask clear). I'm now a lot more comfortable snorkeling because I can breathe in through my mouth better. Snorkeling though, I have to breathe out of my mouth, so I still need to take breaks where I come up to the surface and "reset". But scuba made me so much more comfortable in the mask. But hey- if you're a good snorkeler, and already comfortable in the mask, and breathing while situated underwater, you've got a lot of the scuba obstacles down.

A Discover Scuba program teaches you enough to safely complete the Discover dive (mask clearing without removal, retrieve and purge your regulator, the importance of not holding your breath) but on a Discover dive you're kept on a fairly short leash. I don't think it was their intent but we never left the anchor line during mine although we did get close to the 40 foot maximum depth.

I took a Discover course as a cruise excursion last Christmas and immediately after getting home I signed up for an Open Water course with my Local Dive Shop. Just completed my OW certification in Key Largo on a trip organized by my LDS.