or group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists (whoo!) have on your running - or more specifically your breathing under duress? Losartan is prescribed mainly to help control hypertension - or high blood pressure as it's more commonly known. I've been taking it for years without issue. But that was before I started running.
I graduated from C25k a few weeks ago and have started pushing the duration of my runs to about 40 mins but am always completely breathless at the end of it. Last Monday, I replied to one of Poppypugs posts saying that I'd managed a personal best. Not only that but I wasn't gasping for breath at the end of it. Cut to the chase, I realised later that I had forgotten to take my medication for two days prior to that run. I immediately restarted my meds and then on my Wednesday and Friday runs I was back to my normal lung-wrenching ordeals.
Anyone else take this stuff or have any knowledge of the effects of it on the respiratory system? The net hasn't turned up much - inconclusive to say the least but I did find a US fitness blog where a doctor suggested that those meds were best taken post-run. As they build up over time I'm surprised that it make any difference but I'm going to try it and see if it makes any difference.
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Tractorman
Graduate
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I don't know any specifics about drugs but when was your Bp last checked. I know if my husbands Bp drops exertion makes him a bit light headed and breathless. Is there any chance with your new lifestyle and exercise you bp has come down and now is lower than you want it with your medication Always worth a check if you haven't checked it for a while.
Very good point, however, I'm currently under investigation for a potential heart condition (which I'm assured won't be an issue for running) so I'm getting pretty regular BP checks - but then again, they've not said what the results are!
Thanks for the response - it'll be worth checking out as I've lost 2 stone since I've started running!
I take losartan and since graduating have been running HM's etc and yes I do get out of breath but for me I think it's. more about the exertion rather than anything else. My breathing recovers really quickly so I don't worry about it.
Of course everybody is different and if you are worried you should talk to your doctor (not doctor google).
Yeah, you're right about seeing my GP - if only I could get an appointment! The on-line appointment booking service is a farce - for the last three months its just said "no slots available for this period" (it lets you try up to three weeks in advance. You have to ring everyday and hope there's been a cancellation. The unfortunate reality of the NHS at the moment, at least where I live anyway.
I know what you mean about the exertion being the main factor but I'm taking up to 10 mins to recover from a 40 minute run and that's not right, even at the age of 62! Going to invest in my own BP monitor I think.
Tractorman, I have taken Losartan for more years than I can remember with no adverse effects, but maybe if you are exercising and therefore getting healthier your blood pressure has fallen as a result of that, I would go and talk it over with the G.P. Or practise nurse just to be sure
Yup, good idea - think I'll go and turn up at the Surgery tomorrow and ask for a nurse appointment which should be easier to get than a GP appointment. I don't need a GP to take my BP after all!
Thought I'd leave a follow up to anyone searching this thread. I invested in a BP monitor at the beginning of March 2017 and take readings once a week. I've noticed that as my running distance is increasing, my weight is dropping and so is my BP which although is to be expected (and desired), I reckon it will fall too much as I reach my target weight. I'm on 100 Mg of Losartan daily at the moment and my BP is around 107 Systolic 72 Diastolic and heading downwards...
Got to see my GP yesterday as part of my Bus Licence Medical and showed him the readings I'd taken. He immediately cut my Losartan dose to 50 Mg daily, to be reviewed in a month's time. Result!
In the meantime, I'm deliberately NOT taking any medication until AFTER my runs and I'm feeling one whole lot better. Thanks for all the feedback good people! Hope this may be of use to somebody one day.
This thread has been interesting to read. I have been on Losartan for a couple years. I usually take it at night. Noticing when I forget and take in a.m. before my run I have a sluggish run and don't feel the same during the run. Not taking it at all is better than taking it before a run, in my performance anyway.
Thanks everyone for the Losartan thread. I have been concerned that my running stamina is just not what it was in the past. It is really hot and humid where I live, so I have attributed it to that. But, I actually think it's the Losartan! I have asked my doctor about taking it at night or after my run. Really looking forward to the response!!!
I’m on Losartan and have been for a couple of years. Before that I was on Valsartan and they changed me to losartan which seems to be more effective. Hypertension drugs are either ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers. The losartan is a channel blocker which works by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing the blood to flow more easily. I too struggle with my breathing but in my case it is because I am asthmatic. However, you have made me think a bit here because since February my breathing has been worse which I put down to a possible mild form of Covid (I had extreme fatigue and then my breathing worsened just before lockdown). Throughout lockdown I was in phone contact with my GP and he upped my asthma medication because I tried running in February March and my breathing was terrible. Since the new medication it has been a bit better but I am still wheezy. My GP knows what medication I’m on and said nothing about Losartan affecting my breathing. I would be surprised if it affects the breathing because it is supposed to be helping the cardiovascular system by taking the strain off the heart. Do you have asthma or any lung condition? Do you have angina or any heart issue?
I have also had a persistent cough for two years which, again, my GP doesn’t put down to the Losartan. I was originally on Ramipril and one of the side effects of that drug is a persistent cough which I experienced and was taken off of that and put on Valsartan. I will check with my GP about any connection between Losartan and breathing problems. I’m on Week 5 of the C25K and my lungs are slightly better but I still struggle and sound a bit wheezy when running. I’ll keep you posted as to what my doctor says. Thanks for flagging this up.
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Hope this may be of use to somebody one day.
Anyone else about to run?
Something really important to know about running!
Can anyone offer me any advice or reassurance on week 5? Bit freaked out!
Has anyone set out for a run in heavy rain?
Just started week 2 and wondering about knowing when to progress
