{"id":7045,"date":"2020-02-28T10:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T10:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/?p=7045"},"modified":"2020-02-25T15:48:36","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T15:48:36","slug":"can-you-scuba-dive-with-high-blood-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/can-you-scuba-dive-with-high-blood-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Scuba Dive With High Blood Pressure?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Can You Scuba Dive With High Blood Pressure?<\/h1>\n

High blood pressure \u2013 or hypertension \u2013 is a common condition when the force of the blood pushing against the blood vessel walls is consistently too high. This can cause harm as it increases the workload of the heart \u2013 making it labour and work less efficiently.<\/p>\n

Over time force and friction damage the arteries which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. If you love going on underwater adventures and knowing these facts you may want to learn more about high blood pressure and scuba diving.<\/p>\n

Can you scuba dive with high blood pressure? Read on\u2026<\/p>\n

Know Your Blood Pressure Numbers<\/h2>\n

The top figure of your blood pressure reading is the pressure at its highest \u2013 called systolic pressure \u2013 this should be 120 or less. The bottom number is the pressure at its lowest \u2013 known as diastolic \u2013 and this figure should be 80 or less. This reading would be given as 120\/80.<\/p>\n

Potential Risks<\/h2>\n

Immersion pulmonary oedema \u2013 this is the build-up of fluid on the lungs caused by the effects of water submersion on blood vessels in the body and the heart. This can result in shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains. High blood pressure is a major risk factor here and can end up with a dive being aborted and treatment in hospital.<\/p>\n

Cardiovascular issues \u2013 if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure this is a factor that can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.<\/p>\n

Long term effects of high blood pressure present a special concern to divers so regular checks need to be made for heart disease and other possible complications that may reduce the diving capacity for physical exercise \u2013 and increase the risk of sudden cardiac death while diving.<\/p>\n

Fit for Diving<\/h2>\n

A thorough medical evaluation will need to be carried out to ensure that you\u2019re fit to dive. You\u2019ll be passed as fit to dive as long as blood pressure is under control, and no main concerns with your overall health and no evidence of heart, kidney or eye damage are found.<\/p>\n

Your medical history will be discussed, and you may need to attend a sports diver medical with a specialist. Any side-effects of medication will need to be taken into account:<\/p>\n