Hi

I am a 16 y/o male, about 5' 9", 118 lbs. I'm relatively in shape and on the skinny side, but I don't excercise much.

Tonight for our Emergency Medical Technician class we were going over BP readings. We all practiced taking each other's BPs, and mine came back at about 138/86. At first I thought it was an error, but it was confirmed by my instructor, since he was taking it along with the student. I know its "technically" not hypertension until it is over 145/90, but 138/86 sounds a little bit high for someone my age, and is pretty close to borderline with 140, which AHA recommends it be under.

However, I did have a physical last month, and my BP was normal (I think the systolic was something like 112, can't recall the diastolic). How can the BP just spike like that in a month? I read that nervousness/anxiety can affect BP, and I admit I was kind of nervous being up there in front of everybody. But can the anxiety really make it spike that high?

Thank you.

VS

Yes, anxiety can spike it WAY up there. 138/86 is nothing. I wouldn't worry too much about it - especially since it was normal during your physical.

Pal

The answer to your anxiety question is YES. Being even just a little nervous can have adverse affects on your blood pressure. I would have it checked when you feel calm again just to make sure everything is okay.

I am a 17 year old male at a normal weight, but like you do not exercise much and have the same problem -- when I get my blood pressure checked with people around, I get apprehensive. When I was at the docs and feeling nervous my blood pressure was around where yours was, but it's normal when I'm relaxed.

You said you think your systolic blood pressure was 112 at your docs? That is excellent and if that test was last month, it would be VERY unlikely that your blood pressure jumped to 138 that fast. I wouldn't worry too much bud.

I forgot to ask if you could tell me just what the readings the other kids (I assume they were your age?) were getting?

Don't worry about it. I'm 34 now, but when I was 20-21, my B/P would be consistently 140/74 at the cardiologist. He said not to worry, because my low # (Diastolic) was normal. He wanted me to take a beta blocker for the rest of my life even though at the time my EKG was perfect. You were probably just a little bit anxious-nervous being in the class. Your low # is fine. The high # can fluctuate 20-40 points in 1/2 an hour easily. Don't worry & have fun. I wish that I was 16 again....At 34 I feel old.

Thanks for the responses.

Naes, the two other kids my age in my class had something like 110 and 108 I think. I just remember they were a lot lower than mine.

VS

EDIT: I just took my BP again tonight, but manually with a BP cuff and an electronic one. The results were 138/78 and 142/80 respectively. It still hasn't changed. I know electronic BP measurements aren't as accurate, but it came pretty close. Any suggestions?

I wouldn't worry about it much, if your instructor is anything like mine is he'll make you nervous. mine is usually high in class because of nerves. esp. when we are checking off on something

Don't worry about it. Relax!

5' 9", 118 lbs

& I worry that I'm too thin at 146-151.... I guess it's better to be on the lighter side.

108/60 yesterday...