You are finally on vacation and you want to spend it by diving in a peaceful Mediterranean town. When you go to the dive center you are asked to fill out a Medical Declaration Form and answer questions about your health condition.
First of all, I would like to point out that we are diving instructors, not doctors. We do not have any information about your medical history and current condition. For this reason, we can get information about your health condition with the help of Medical Forms and ask you for a doctor’s report based on the answers you provide in the form.
You saw a question on the form about High Blood Pressure and you chose No, even though you actually have High Blood Pressure. But are you aware of the risk you are taking?
High blood pressure is a condition in which the blood pressure in the blood vessels is higher than desired. This can lead to heart disease, stroke and decompression sickness.
Can you dive with high blood pressure?
It depends on the doctor’s report!!!
If your blood pressure is well controlled and you have no other underlying health problems, you may be allowed to dive after a thorough medical evaluation by a doctor experienced in diving medicine.
However, there are several factors that influence this decision. Let’s not forget that diving is an activity that requires a certain amount of effort under high pressure. This exertion can increase the cardiovascular stress and raise blood pressure that is already under control.
In addition, the medications you take to keep your blood pressure under control are the subject of another question in your pre-dive Medical Statement. Some of these medications can have side effects such as dizziness and dehydration, which can affect diving safety.
What about the Relationship Between Decompression and High Blood Pressure
Hypertension can increase the risks associated with decompression sickness. People with high blood pressure may have reduced blood flow to tissues, which can impair the body’s ability to transport nitrogen effectively. In addition, the increased stress on the cardiovascular system caused by hypertension can make the body more sensitive to the formation of nitrogen bubbles.
Diving with high blood pressure is possible, but requires careful management and medical supervision. Making sure blood pressure is well controlled, understanding the risks and following safety rules can help reduce potential problems.
When completing the Medical Declaration forms, remember that diving is a serious activity. Consulting a doctor at the smallest doubt will reassure both you and those of us who aim to provide you with safe diving.
