Diving with hypertension and antihypertensive drugs
Peter E. Westerweel, Dutch Society for Diving Medicine, Rienk Rienks, Dutch Society for Diving Medicine, Ahmed Goda Sakr, Adel Taher
Abstract
Hypertension is a common condition, which is highly prevalent amongst scuba divers. As a consequence, a substantial proportion of divers are hypertensive and/or on antihypertensive drugs when diving. In this article, we review available literature on the possible risks of diving in the presence of hypertension and antihypertensive drugs. Guidelines are presented for the diving physician for the selection of divers with hypertension suitable for diving, along with advice on antihypertensive treatment best compatible with scuba diving.
Topics & Concepts
Scuba divingMedicineAntihypertensive drugBlood pressureInternal medicineBiologyZoologyCardiovascular and Diving-Related ComplicationsHigh Altitude and HypoxiaCardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention