Hey....

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I'm 19, 6'2" and 177 lbs...hardly overweight. I had a physical from when I was 17 years old and my BP was 117/72...then in March of 2004...the next time I had it checked it was 150/93. I was put on 50mg of Atenolol which drops my pulse from 75-80 to 48-55 bpm, but my BP is still usually 130-135/65-70. Why does it drop my diastolic so low but not my systolic? I can't get my systolic to go down...

....I had a cholesterol test done and my numbers are good. My total is at 142, my LDL is at 93 and my HDL is a little low at 38 but my doctor said it's nothing to worry about. I've been exercising regularly, running for about 30 minutes a day and I've cut back greatly on saturated fats. I guess in general my question is whether or not I should be worried? If my BP is normally 130-35/65-75 will I be okay for the rest of my life? Will 135 over a long period of time cause damage? I'm only curious...

Hi, I am 28 and I weigh 110 and am 5 ft. tall. I also have high blood pressure. I guess we inherited good genes :) Anyways, I am only taking 25 mg. of atenolol because that did it for me. Now to answer your question, your systolic (top) can be slightly higher than your diastolic because of many different factors (running around before you have it checked, nervousness, drinking coffee, energy drinks etc.) but as long as your bottom number is in the healthy range I think you are safe. Your numbers sound good to me. By the way, I exercise 6-7 times a week. Let me know if you have any more questions & maybe I can help :) . Beth

Fox,

I agree with above poster, certain factors in diet, sodium intake, etc, and after exercise or even eating will affect your BP. It is good your watching your intake of saturated fats, see how that works. I don't think your in any immediate danger, No. Lifestyle habits as you have stated are the best way to approach this. Also, are these numbers strictly at the doctors office? Or are you monitoring your BP at home too. Many people have "white coat" in the office and elevated readings versus the ones at home.

actually thats the funny thing. Those are at home. When I go to the doctor my numbers are amazing. I went in yesterday and my numbers were 106/62, 116/72, 110, 68. Maybe my blood pressure cuff at home sucks. I'm so confused. The nurse said I had a "false beat" or something. Maybe that's interfering with my cuff at home which is automatic. Any thoughts?

Fox-yep, it sounds like your monitor at home doesn't work right. My doctor told me to bring in my monitor so I did that the last time and they took my blood pressure on theirs and then took it on my machine to see if they matched up and they did. Mine is a digital one and it works really good. When I take my blood pressure at the grocery or pharmacy on one of those machines it doesn't ever take it right.