Ask the doctor: How do I handle conflicting advice about exercise?

Last year, I had an aortic dissection. My surgeon says not to do any cardio or resistance exercise and to keep my heart rate down. My cardiologist says I can do light cardio and resistance exercise but to watch my blood pressure. Whom should I believe?

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Ask the doctor: Is high blood pressure in the morning a problem?

My blood pressure is high when I first get up in the morning, but always drops back to normal by 9 a.m. and stays that way throughout the day. I take Avapro. My doctor says I shouldn’t worry about the temporary high morning pressure. What do you think?

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Ask the doctor: Is it okay to travel to a high altitude with high blood pressure?

Some friends invited me to accompany them to Rocky Mountain National Park. I would love to go, but I have high blood pressure and worry that high altitudes are dangerous for people with this condition. Is that the case?

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Ask the doctor: Do beta blockers and ACE inhibitors help or harm the heart?

Is my long-term use of beta blockers and ACE inhibitors setting me up for heart failure? I understand these drugs keep my heart rate low. If the heart is a muscle, and muscles are strengthened by exercise, won’t slowing the heart weaken it?

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