Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and vasodilators are the preferred antihypertensive medications for athletes due to their limited interference with cardiovascular conditioning.
What are the recommended evaluation and treatment strategies for hypertension in athletes?
ACE inhibitors and vasodilators are the preferred antihypertensive agents for athletes due to minimal impact on cardiovascular conditioning, while beta-blockers may be prohibited in elite sports.
Regular physical activity and training are associated with reductions in blood pressure (BP), yet elevated BP is one of the most common abnormalities found during the pre‐participation physical evaluation of athletes. Hypertension (HTN) remains the most common cardiovascular condition encountered in athletic populations, therefore all athletes require screening for HTN. Because athletes often have white coat HTN, BP recordings outside the office are also necessary. The 36th Bethesda Conference classified sports according to their varying physiologic demands and provided specific recommendations for the evaluation, treatment, and sport participation of athletes with HTN. In general, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and other vasodilators are the medications of choice for active and athletic patients because of their limited interference with cardiovascular conditioning. Other agents can be used but some sports governing bodies proscribe the use of certain antihypertensive medications such as β‐blockers for elite athletes.
Leddy et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Hypertension in athletes. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and vasodilators was evaluated. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and vasodilators are the preferred antihypertensive medications for athletes due to their limited interference with cardiovascular conditioning.
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