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Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response
Published on: November 12, 2014
Diving with hypertension and antihypertensive drugs
Peter E Westerweel1,2,3, Rienk Rienks2,4,5,6, Ahmed Sakr7
1Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Hypertension is a common condition, which is highly prevalent amongst scuba divers. As a consequence, a substantial proportion of divers are hypertensive and/or on antihypertensive drugs when diving. In this article, we review available literature on the possible risks of diving in the presence of hypertension and antihypertensive drugs. Guidelines are presented for the diving physician for the selection of divers with hypertension suitable for diving, along with advice on antihypertensive treatment best compatible with scuba diving.
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Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...

