High blood pressure after starting strength training

Other Discussions Training Discussion
1

I’ve started strength training about 7 months ago, Starting Strength LP.

I’ve struggled with gaining weight but managed to add 20lbs in about 5 months, I’m now at 200lbs (6ft) and have been maintaining it for 2 months. First couple of months the weight increase was around 8lbs.

Throughout the intensive feeding period (I’ve been drinking 3.5lbs smoothies practically every day in addition to regular food) I have been feeling very bad after some meals. I experienced drowsiness and some weird feeling in the head (like I’ve drank a few beers). I’ve tried intermittent fasting to alleviate the symptoms, but after a couple of weeks there was no difference again. Each meal would just destroy me and now, without huge amounts of food, I feel the same negative state after almost every meal.

Just recently, I’ve realized that feeling of drowsiness and weirdness in the head is accompanied by high blood pressure. Measuring regularly 150/70. Whenever I feel great (mostly after workout or early in the morning) my blood pressure is normal (120/80).

I’ve never had high blood pressure before but can’t figure out why this is happening and am wondering if anyone experienced similar symptoms.

My max numbers are also not that impressive for my weight (300/185/300). So I’m pretty sure all that weight gain was not as beneficial as it could have been.

2

The weight gain in SSLP is a bit of a bummer. Not so much the muscle gain, but the superfluous fatty tissue gain. The ending numbers are fine for SSLP, but I agree that the extra weight is not necessary. I think studies have borne out that eating in a moderate caloric surplus (i.e. enough for you) and a massive caloric surplus (e.g. +1,000 calories) results in the same net lean muscle gain. So it is not worth “eating through sticking points” as the power lifters between 5 and 20 years ago a la Westside and what Starting Strength suggest. If you look back to the 70s and earlier, powerlifters and weight lifters and bodybuilders were all pretty lean.

I am no expert, and definitely no medical professional. However, reading your post, I can only suggest you posit your query about blood pressure and drowsiness to the good doctors Jordan and Austin. Way outside my remit and probably the remit of the unmoderated forums.

1 Like
3

Go see your doctor