Taking any medication is something to take seriously. Not only do you need to consider and be cautious of the health condition you are treating with the medication, but also potential side effects of the medication and how it may affect your daily life -- including your ability to exercise.
About Norvasc
Norvasc is a brand-name prescription drug that's also known by its generic name, amlodipine. It's a calcium channel blocker, and it is prescribed to help lower high blood pressure. Norvasc helps the blood vessels relax, which in turn eases some of the strain on the heart as it pumps blood. Norvasc also helps to manage chest pain because it helps the body pump more blood to the heart.
Side Effects of Norvasc
As many drugs do, Norvasc may cause some side effects. Some of these may interfere with exercise, or mean that you need to take precautions when exercising. Norvasc may make you feel extremely tired, sluggish or drowsy. You may also feel a little lightheaded or dizzy when taking the drug. You may also find that your stomach hurts or you feel nauseous; your hands or lower extremities swell; or you have headaches. Serious side effects that may pose dangers when exercising include fainting, abnormal heartbeat or increased chest pain.
Exercise and High Blood Pressure
Exercise can help you battle high blood pressure, lose weight and get healthier, even if you're taking Norvasc. Exercise can also help combat some of the side effects of Norvasc, like fatigue and drowsiness. Exercise should be included in a treatment plan to help manage high blood pressure, in addition to lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, restricting alcohol and salt, and eating healthy foods while wiping out junk food from your diet.
Precautions to Take
If you're taking Norvasc, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss exercise. Find out how much is safe for you to do, and any warning signs -- like chest pain or difficulty breathing -- that you should be on the lookout for during your workouts. Start your workout regimen slowly without pushing yourself too hard. For your first workout, try a short walk at an easy pace. Over time, walk longer and faster, and add more challenging exercises to your workout -- maybe biking, swimming, jogging, yoga and lifting weights.
