A brief rundown of blood pressure and anabolic steroids

What is blood pressure?

After a blood pressure reading you get two numbers:

1. The systolic blood pressure is the highest pressure in your blood vessels when your heart contracts, or 'beats'.
2. The diastolic blood pressure is the lowest pressure in your blood vessels when your heart relaxes between 'beats'.

Your blood pressure during an home reading should be below 135/85 mmHg. A reading above this number is considered high. High blood pressure is a cause for higher risk for cardiovasculair disease.

How can I measure my blood pressure?

Whether you use anabolic steroids or not, I advice anyone to measure your blood pressure.

Generally, you do not 'feel' a high blood pressure. An reliable way of measuring your blood pressure at home is through an automated blood pressure monitor with a cuff around your upper arm.

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Want to learn how to measure your blood pressure correctly? Click the below picture to find out.

Do anabolic steroids increase blood pressure?

High blood pressure, although uncommon, can occur in both young and old and is generally due to genetic and lifestyle factors. The use of anabolic steroids can increase the systolic blood pressure with an average of 8 mmHg and diastolic with 3 mmHg.

In a study of 100 male participants, 9% had high blood pressure before the an anabolic steroid cycle and 41% had high blood pressure during.

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I have high blood pressure, now what?

A slightly elevated blood pressure is not cause for major concern. If this elevation exist for prolonged periods of time than this can increase your risk for heart- and vascular disease and more. If this is the case please contact a medical doctor to get yourself checked and, if necessary, treated.

Doctors treat high blood pressure predominantly through lifestyle adjustments. In case this is not sufficient, a large range of appropriate medications are available to achieve healthy blood pressure levels.

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What can you do to lower your blood pressure?

1. Higher levels of bodyfat is one of the major contributors to a high blood pressure. Fatloss can lead to significant reductions in your blood pressure.
2. Some people with high blood pressure are helped by reducing salt intake.
3. Higher intake of anabolic steroids is related to higher increases of blood pressure. By lowering your weekly dose of anabolic steroids you can reduce the effect of anabolic steroids of blood pressure.
4. Cardio can lower your blood pressure and is one of the best things you can do for your general health.

By clicking the follow picture I will explain to you the essentials regarding anabolic steroids and blood pressure.

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