by Dr. Paul Hutinger
Question: I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension). What problems would I have with training and competing in Masters swimming and how can I overcome this challenge?
Answer: Aerobic swim training is one of the better exercise programs for hyper-tension. A warm up and cool down is important in your training. Monitor your own blood pressure regularly and figure out your stress areas and strive to reduce them. Talk to your physician if medication is necessary to help control your levels. The ace inhibitors won't interfere with your performance as much as the beta blockers. I speak from experience. Halfway through my morning workout on April 1, 2002, my left arm became numb. At first, I thought it was a pinched nerve from my shoulder surgery. Shortly afterwards, my entire left side became numb. I immediately recognized the stroke symptoms and got out of the pool. While changing, I told a guard that I was having problems and he should call 911. I had no other symptoms other than my numb left side.
My history showed that while monitoring my blood pressure (BP) several weeks before, I had highs in the 180/95 range. A CAT scan in the emergency room revealed a cerebral hemorrhage, resulting from this high BP. Further tests excluded other problems, like clogged arteries. During my three days in the hospital, I had another CAT scan, an EEG and was carefully monitored. My neurologist released me with BP medication to ensure keeping my BP under 140/90, with regular monitoring at home. My prognosis is that I will have a full recovery, with no permanent damage. I cannot train or compete for 6-8 weeks. After 1 1/2 weeks, my numbness is less than 40%. My body will gradually reabsorb the blood that caused the temporary insult to the sensory section of my brain.
Many CVA's (cerebral vascular accidents) are caused by a clot that restricts the blood flow, causing local pressures to build up. If your physician believes you are at risk for clotting problems, he will recommend BP medication, plus additional medication for other specific problems.
I was lucky with the minor stroke that I experienced. This is a wake up call to me, and also to some reading this column. The stress in my life resulted from the city restricting our team's time at our pool. I am working to conquer this challenge, as my philosophy follows that of the former Olympic Coach, James "Doc" Counsilman. He felt that it is more important to find ways to ENCOURAGE swimming for health, fitness and competition than to include needless RESTRICTIONS which hinder the motivation and goals of swimmers.
The positive for the Master swimmer is that a trained, healthy life style will help you survive many problems you will face in the future. All the medics that talked to me at the hospital conveyed to me that I was the best trained 77 year old they had seen. This will enable me to return to competition with a full recovery.
Anyone wanting additional information, or having personal questions, please send a large SASE to: Dr. Paul Hutinger, 1755 Georgia Ave NE, St. Petersburg FL 33703. You can e-mail me at phut@usms.org.