anxiety and high bp

CASSIEBEL

Anxity can cause HBP and HBP causes anxity. I have the same problem as you. I was just a little older than you when diagnosed, I also have hypertension in family. I lived in fear (still do to a certain extent) with the pounding heart and so on. The meds can help. I understand that you don't want to start meds at such a young age but it may be necessary to control both problems. Do you take anything for the acid reflux?
Why exactly are you so against BP meds - they're not all bad
Best of Luck!
Cassiebel

crabbyroad

Or Juju you could have white coat hypertension, just being in the doctors office can cause anxiety and raise your BP. Try getting a good moniter and taking some readings at home, while rested and relaxed, not after a brisk workout, toss out the first reading, it will be higher, wait 3 mins and take another, and again, average those last two readings. If it is normal at home in a relaxed state, then its not officially high blood pressure, your only getting spikes at the doctors office, the fact that your BP drops while at the office after the first, is leading towards the anxiety of it. If however at home, your continually getting the readings you are at the doctors, then it is time to explore other options, ie meds, etc.

Random2

Toprol made me feel like junk for months (cold, gastrointentestinal upset, tired++++) Anxiety

Altace... the absolute worst

Altenolol- Not many side-effects, except for bad dreams & some stomach upset at times) Mood changes

Lotrel- Controls B/P well, but is a little over the edge for white-coat imo.

This is why. My B/P averages around 119/65-70 on the meds. 158/80 at the doc. I have isolated white-coat. They don't have b/p meds. for that.

I was 135/75 or so at 24. At 33, I wonder what it would be with no meds., but I follow the docs. orders.

zuzu8

Juju,
Yes, it may be white coat hypertension due to anxiety, and I agree with Crabbyroad that investing in a home BP monitor would be a great idea. Keep track of your own readings for a month or so and see what's what.

If you get high readings at home, talk to your doctor about the possibility of secondary causes of hypertension. Hypertension is unusual in a person of your age, although not unheard of. However, while most people have what they call primary or 'essential" hypertension, when elevated numbers occur in young people, doctors usually like to rule out secondary causes which can be any number of kidney disorders, renovascular causes and endocrine tumor (usually benign) of the adrenal glands.

Also drugs, such as corticosteroids, liquorice and carbenoxolone, sympathomimetics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause high blood pressure.

Ultrasound, CT scan or MRI of your kidneys would rule out renal artery stenosis (obstruction of the renal artery) and kidney problems including cysts or scarring.
And a 24 hour test for PLASMA METANEPHRINES is the most specific test for the adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma. There is also a 24-hour urine test for this, but it's not as definitive.

Don't let all this scare you though. Most secondary causes are relatively benign and treatable, and once treated, poof, no more hypertension. And no need for a lifetime of meds either.

But again, your #s may be totally anxiety related, so a home monitor would be my first choice before delving any deeper. If you get one, get an OMRON or LUMISCOPE (2 of the best)... digital, automatic, self-inflatable arm cuff. Really easy to use and very reliable.

zuzu xxx

rexter

Reminds me of my SVT (Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia). Just a thought, if you read up on it and it sounds familiar mention it to your doctor.
Best of luck to you!

txcs714

I'm curious what your heart rate is like typically. Is it ever slow like you expect from someone who is athletic and in shape?

I went through the same sort of situation when I was in my early 20's. Very high blood pressure (160/105 sometimes), anxiety, and fast heart rate. I have always been in good physical shape and athletic, however, my heart rate back then was never under 90 - 95. When I got stressed or anxious (like in the doctor's office or just general anxiety) it would go to 130 - 140 or more.

I had a battery of tests to rule out the physical causes of hypertension in someone young and healthy (tumors, etc.), and nothing was found.

Ultimately, my treatment turned out to be a daily dose of a beta-blocker. It stopped the anxiety, lowered my bp to normal (and below sometimes) and did the same for my heart rate. And the best part is zero side effects - for me at least.

A wise cardiologist got me started on that medication after several failed attempts with other doctors. His explanation to me was that some people have a nervous system that is simply over sensitive to adreneline. The beta blocker blocks those receptors - thereby reducing symptoms. Mine vanished with the first pill. It's been well over a decade now for me. While I still have slightly elevated pressure readings (maybe 130/85 tops), it is always anxiety based.

I know all too well what you are experiencing. I hope you get the answers you need and things get fixed right away.

Good luck.