When the diagnosis of hypertension is made it is only natural to have lots of questions and concerns. From our experience the number one concern is over the side effects of the medications. But before we get to that let us not forget that you can do many things to lower your own blood pressure without resorting to medication.

Not in any particular order, you can begin an aerobic exercise program, lose some weight, stop smoking, decrease your salt intake as well reduce the amount of caffeine you ingest. More than one drink of alcohol a day (one drink equals 1 oz of liquor or its equivalent) is associated with an increase in blood pressure. If after a reasonably good effort in trying the above recommendations then it might be time for some medication if your blood pressure doesn’t decrease to normal limits.

Technology has improved some aspects of our daily lives. This is especially true when it comes to hypertensive medications. No doubt, the medicine of yester-year definitely had many more unpleasant side effects then the present high tech meds we have now. The problems with lethargy, frequent urination, impotence and the feeling of being drugged can easily be avoided especially with the new effective, low dose combination pills available to your physician. In many cases, you won’t even know you are taking them except for the fact that they will lower your pressure nice and evenly.

There are a couple of medication issues that are useful for the hunter to consider. One group of medications, the beta blockers, is actually banned from parts of the athletic world because they enhance performance. They do so by reducing the amount of adrenalin one feels right before the performance.

Think about buck fever here. These medicines are not for everyone but are worth considering for the hunter whose shakes have left the buck running and the freezer empty and has hypertension in need of medication to normalize. Starting a course of diuretics before a long morning sit is obviously a predictable problem. In fact, starting a course of medications for hypertension carries some risk (lower now than before) so it is best to get all this stuff squared away as part of your off season preparation.

Now that you know something about hypertension, don’t wait till the mountain lion is on your back before you do something. We see the consequences of ignored and under treated hypertension all the time. It is not a pretty sight and is so unnecessary. Early detection, lifestyle changes and treatment are the keys to success here. As usual, feel free to contact us at www.thehuntdoctors.com if we can be of more assistance. Be safe and enjoy the outdoors.

Editors note: This is the first installment of an on-going series of hunter health-related stories that will be featured here at www.huntingmag.com. The authors, Paul Plante M.D. and Steve Merlin M.D., are avid hunters and Board Certified Internists practicing in Columbia, South Carolina. The focus of their work will range from broad general health concerns and issues to specifics maladies encountered by outdoorsmen. We hope you enjoy their efforts and if you have a health related question for the hunt doctors that you would like answered personally, please e-mail them at The Hunt Doctors