Im a 25 year old male and weigh about 305lbs. I went to the doctor for a routine visit. I would say im probably overstressed and yes i could stand to loose a few pounds. My BP was 125/90. She gave me Benicar HCT 20mg/12.5mg to help. I am extremely paranoid about taking medications. Im wondering why she would not have told me to hit the gym and change my diet for a few weeks before starting a BP med. Im not sure if I should take this. Do any of you have suggestions? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

1st off how tall are you??? There are some that are 305 that played offensive line or something in college+ in football. Could you stand to lose some weight? of course. 125/90 isn't horrible at all at the doctor. I'm only 33 & mine gets to 150+/80 at the doc. due to anxiety. I don't see why not losing some weight, changing diet & excercise shouldn't be considered 1st. Did she or he run blood tests yet or an EKG? It should be standard practice amongst physicians before prescribing meds., because there are a lot of side-effects & withdrawal symptoms on some as well. I would get a 2nd opinion if I were you. Need more info.

Sirius,
WHOA! Your doctor thrust a prescription into your hand based on one office visit? We don't even know if you have true hypertension.
A good doctor, upon getting an office reading of 125/90 (which isn't bad at all....optimal is 120/80 or below) would definitely discuss lifestyle and dietary changes, especially weight loss and sodium reduction) before ever putting you on meds.

I agree w/ Lillian's Axe that blood tests and urinary analysis would be mandatory, especially given your age.

Your doctor should have discussed exercise and weight loss particularly. Nothing "naturally" lowers BP more than the latter.
Anyone who presents with borderline HBP should have their BP monitored over several months, and be sent away with instructions to modify lifestyle first.

It is inconceivable to me that she put you on meds immediately.

Please consider switching doctors. She is practicing bad medicine.

Even if your BP was even higher (but not dangerous), given you are only 25, the first order of business would be to rule out secondary causes of hypertension, for which there are special tests above and beyond routine blood panels.

As Axe says, and I wholeheartedly second this, please get a second opinion.

zuzu xxx

Exactly.

A metabolic panel & CBC tells a lot about the kidneys, liver, cell count, cholesterol, blood sugar+. Mine tested me for thyroid as well. I brought up the adrenals & she said that potassium would come up low & that it is extremely rare like 2-8 out of a million.

Lose weight, modify diet+.... I would love to see what your glucose & cholesterol levels are at.