Blood pressure and diving

Abstract

SummaryIt is generally recommended that individuals should not commence diving training or continue with diving if their arterial blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mmHg. This current standard is reviewed with particular reference to factors in diving which might influence blood pressure. Epidemiological evidence indicates that individuals with a blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg have an increased mortality and morbidity and justifies the existing standard for entry to diving. Diving does not appear to unduly stress individuals who have borderline hypertension (defined as an arterial blood pressure between 140/90 mmHg and 159/94 mmHg) and there is no indication that these individuals experience an excessive rise in blood pressure when exposed to the diving environment or increased workloads. Individuals with a blood pressure between 140/90 mmHg and 150/95 mmHg have a slightly increased risk of experiencing cardiovascular illness but this risk is considered acceptable when considering the diving future of an experienced diver. It is important to exclude associated cardiovascular illness and these individuals should not be using medication which will compromise their maximal cardiovascular response.