High Blood Pressure at 21: Help - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

parabolate · 09-21-2005, 02:09 PM

Hello,

I originally posted this under heart disorders I didn't notice this more appropriate forum!

I am 21 years old - as a matter of fact I just turned 21 this past weekend and I am concerned about my blood pressure.

Since graduating high school a little over two years ago the stress levels in my daily life have increased dramatically. I currently work 9 hour shifts at a family business that stays pretty hectic for 5-6 of those hours. I am also in college so there is always stressful activity going on every day. On top of this I do not get regular excercise and do not eat very well. I also tend to worry alot and have anxiety about things probly more than I should. I am about 5'9" and 150 lbs build wise.

I saw a doctor about a year ago for a physical and my blood pressure was high normal. He said is was not anything to be too worried about just to monitor it. I recently checked my pressure at a grocery store blood pressure outlet and my systolic was 139 which was right on the line for being considered "high". I havent made any lifestyle changes since the doctor visit a year ago. (UPDATED: I checked my pressure today and it was 142/78)

I am really worried having this pressure at my age. I have attributed my pressure to all of the things I listed in the above paragraph considering I have never really had any medical conditions that would cause this. Do you think the factors I listed are what is causing my blood pressure?

I was thinking about engaging in a two month test period on myself before freaking out too much and going to the doctor. In this test period I plan on eating healthy and engaging in at least 45 mins - 1 hour of excercise per day to see if I can lower my pressure. Do you all think this is a smart choice or do you think I should see a doctor immediatly? Also, is a two month period sufficient enough to see a noticeable difference in my pressure levels?

Thank you very much ahead of time!

cartner · 09-21-2005, 03:11 PM

Hello,

I'm not a doctor but I have High BP since I was 17 (now i'm 23) and I will tell you some useful things. First of all, don't worry 142/78 is not bad. 142 is a little high but I'm sure it's high because of the stress, 78 is GREATTTTTTTT and I think that you don't need medication but you need to exercise 3 to 5 days a week 30 to 45 minutes. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables and FORGET about adding salt to your food.

Omega 3, Garlic, Magnesium, Vitamin C supplements reduces blood pressure and protect your heart (I take all of them plus other supplements like Zinc) but it will take about 3 months to see results.

Don't forget exercise and diet are very important but also you will not see fast results. Don't worry about your blood pressure because when you worry more you will raise it more. When I was 17 I was measuring my blood pressure 10 times daily and I was going crazy, my doctor told me to stop that and take one read each week although it was not less than 140/90. So don't worry and try to relax by listening to music (try Thomas Newman) and if you don't have time try it at night before you sleep. Oh by the way, coffee can raise blood pressure too but this is vary from one person to another.

I think you can manage your blood pressure without medication for many years and maybe forever

Be happy your diastolic is 78 lol many of us wish to have it like that.
Thanks and good luck
Michael

*Paul · 09-22-2005, 06:05 AM

Hi,
You may feel a home BP monitor a worth while investment. Your reading of 140/78, is this the reading you get after only taking the one. Your first reading will always be higher, you should really take three readings and average the last two, to give you a realistic value.

White Coat Hypertension is very common and having a home monitor will count this out for you.

Regards
Paul

cartner · 09-22-2005, 06:16 AM

Hello Paul,

I will tell you something about my Blood Pressure. When I go to the Doctor to take my reading he always says 120/80 and when I take it at home it's must be higher than that so I pruchased a new monitor and it was also higher than his reading so what you can call this??? I feel fine when my doctor take my Blood Pressure reading

Thanks,
Michael

sarahjean · 09-22-2005, 12:10 PM

I'm also 21 with HBP, mine gets as high as 190/110 so no 142/78 isn't much to worry about, just watch it carefully to make sure it doesn't go to higher and see what it does.
Goodluck!
Sarah