High blood pressure warning?
Question about the theme park warning signs for high blood pressure....
When a theme park warning sign says not to ride if you have high blood pressure, does that also mean if your blood pressure is controlled by medication not to ride. For example, I have no history of heart problems, butI am on a low dosage of blood pressure medication and as long as I'm on the medication, I have a normal reading of about 120/78. So, should this warning only be heeded if your blood pressure is not being controlled, or does it mean don't ride if you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, regardless of whether you have it controlled or not? I know this is a weird question for the message board, but I figured some of my fellow theme park fans might know the answer, as I do try to take the warnings posted on the attractions seriously.
Speaking as a family physician and roller coaster fanatic with hypertension, I would caution my patients against riding thrill rides if their BP was uncontrolled or if they had recently(last 4-6 months) had problems related to their BP- such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, etc. The parks caution patrons as some with high BP do not know if they're at risk for a serious event or not.
Benign well controlled hypertension with or without medication should not prohibit anyone from riding thrill rides.
Thanks for taking the warnings seriously, it makes our jobs in health care easier.
Thanks, I appreciate the opinion of a medical professional!
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