Is this HP? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

FISH05 · 09-11-2005, 06:15 PM

My husband and I checked our bp at Target the machine is new. I got a normal reading 118/70. His readng was 149/80. I told him that that was high. 3 months before that we measured at wal-mart and it was 155 over something can't remember. He want off on me and told me to shut and that the machine is wrong. So I didn't say anymore about it. Anyway, he finally want to the dr and it was 140/70. The dr said that it was normal for his age and never worry about the top number. I told him that I think that didn't make sense. Of corse, he got mad and said the dr is right and to shut up about. So I need your opinion is this normal for a 28yr old male? He does drink alot and will not stop drinking. We have recently quit smoking. He has started exercising. I worried that his drinking has a lot to do with it. He was drinking a 12 pack every 2-3 days and if he hung out with his buddies he would drink over 16 beers in one night. He recently switch to wine averaging 1.5L every other night. Please help

cabikerchick · 09-11-2005, 08:06 PM

His systolic reading is a tad high. I'm not sure why a doctor would tell a 28 year old guy that it was normal, and to never worry about the top number. Really what that number is, if it is consistently high, is pre-hypertension.
Generally the guidelines state:
There is no "ideal" blood pressure reading. However, there is a range of "normal" blood pressure reading. Generally, a reading that is less than 140 over 90 indicates that you don't need to worry. If either or both numbers are equal to or greater than 140 over 90 for an extended period of time, you have high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Not to be judgemental, but he seems to tell you to shut up an awful lot... maybe he's a "hothead" and that is causing his woes ;-)
Just my thoughts, and I'm not a doctor.

Palamedes · 09-11-2005, 11:15 PM

A reading of 140/70 at a doctor's office sounds pretty normal for a 28 year old. In younger folks, the systolic typically elevates as a result of anxiety. The other high readings while shopping most likely have an anxiety factor in them as well - especially with you standing over his shoulders. Also, it's really hard to get a good relaxed BP while shopping.

It would probably be a good idea to purchase a home BP monitor. Let him take some readings while relaxed. Sorry, but, you are going to have to let him do this on his own. It sounds like this is a source of tension between the two of you. Therefore, he will not be able to obtain a reliable reading in your presence.

Pal