Blood pressure abnormally high....

Alright, so I have another question about high blood pressure and heart disease. I just turned 18 about a couple of months ago and found that my blood pressure was a bit high. I've posted before my BP was 140/80, than checked it a couple of times and it was around 138/72 and 142/64. I've tried a lot of things, eating less, working out, and even cutting on the salt a bit, but it only seems as if my blood pressure is getting dramatically higher. I am not 100% sure on how serious this is for me, but here is some history.


My old diet use to consist of a lot of junk food and a lot of fast food. I grew up half of my life on processed meals. I was weighing in around 140-145 around age 13 and 14. After the holidays(Thanksgiving and Christmas) I was tipping the scales at about 150-155. Around the time I was not sure about high blood pressure, but I did manage to lose almost 20 pounds, I now weigh in about 130 at 5 foot 6 inches. I was eating less and working out/ exercising a bit more. If you saw me physically, high blood pressure would probably be the last thing you'd suspect I have. But the scary thing is, I have it, and I seriously need to lower it because it leads to problems and could be a sign of problems. I recently figured out my oldest brothers blood pressure was a bit high, a bit over 140/80, and I found my fathers side of the family has a history of diabetes and heart disease. I am terrified to death to be honest, I already struggle with anxiety/panic disorders, and it's adding more stress. I have this constant fear of impending doom, and around 7-8pm I start feeling really groggy and lightheaded, that's usually when my blood pressure is spiked to 155/84, a couple of days ago it was 148/93, than today I checked it was around 170/80. I know only a doctor could diagnose high blood pressure, but I do not have insurance because my father was making more than what is acquired, and I just turned 18, so I have to go on my own and I am not sure whether I need immediate help. I plan to arrange the whole insurance thing soon, but I need some answers to why I might have this and how I could cope with it before it is to late. Does it affect a person my age at a rapid rate? and am I at risk for stroke or heart failure... I do not get angina while working out, nor do I have numbness or any confusion, just anxiety etc. I also do not take drugs, I don't smoke, nor do I drink Alchohol. Please if somebody could help, I'd be really thankful. ((((((---I am a CNA in training, and I've taken blood pressure as a skill, just so if you are wondering how I take my BP, I use a manual Sphygmomanometer(BP Cuff)-----

[Yvette BG]

Good for you that you're not drinking or doing other drugs and not smoking. It can be tempting to turn to these things when stressed and/or anxious; I know from personal experience regarding alcohol. Also, good for you that you've been working out more consistently.

Keep in mind that a person's blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. Worrying about your blood pressure may also be bringing it up, due to the stress hormones kicking in.

How are you doing on your caffeine intake? The reason I ask is if it's high, that can be raising your blood pressure, so if you use a lot of caffeine, slowly cut down and see if that helps your pressure. What about salt at the table, etc.?

Also, what vitamins or herbs over the counter are you using? Some can lower blood pressure better; many, however, can raise your blood pressure.  

Are you taking any prescription medications? Some can affect blood pressure. (Mine got pretty high a few years ago while I was on Wellbutrin.)

---Yvette

[1Servant4God]

Hi, thanks for the response. I have no issues consuming caffeine, I don't like anything with too much caffeine because it usually would make me jitter and tired. I do suppose sodium could be a factor. I now try to keep myself below 2000mg of sodium a day. As I calculate what my old diet use to be, it use to be about 5000 to 6000mg of sodium daily(mainly because of bags of chips and processed foods), and some days it was probably 10,000mg or more.

I don't take any different vitamins or herbs, just whatever comes in fruits and vegetables. I just stopped drinking Vitamin waters, I use to get one daily thinking it was good, but than I found that it had a lot of fructose, so I quit drinking those. ---would you recommend any sort of vitamins or herbs that could help my BP?---

I also do not take any medications.

Thanks again for your response.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i saw where you said you do have anxiety, that can make your bp high and also when you take it ,just thinking what the numbers will be  can make it high. when mine was running high it was because of my anxiety so everytime i would go to take it i was scared it would be high and it would be . so try and relax on days where you feel good and not stressed take it see what its running.

[Yvette BG]

heartflutters is so right about relaxing. Easier said than done; I use relaxation music which does seem to help me, as does deep breathing.  
Other people say yoga helps their blood pressure; that might be worth a try, too.

Some people find garlic tablets help lower their blood pressure, though the research on the subject I believe according to what I last read shows mixed results. If you do decided to try garlic, take the odorless type and take as directed on the package.

Other things that help some people include magnesium (I would limit to 400 mgs. total per day), grape seed pills (follow package directions closely), and fish oil with omega 3 oil (again, follow instructions and do not take more than what is recommended).

Do you drink 2 or 3 cups fat-free/skim milk or eat low fat yogurt every day? Having enough calcium in your diet is important and may help normalize blood pressure. Also, make sure to choose milk or yogurt that have Vitamin D listed as an ingredient on the label. (Some people take 500-1,000 units of Vitamin D3 daily, too---but it's a good idea to check with a doctor before doing this.)

Some people find that having some soy in their diet helps their blood pressure, too--like drinking light/low fat soy milk once or twice a day or eating tofu. You could also try drinking decaffeinated green tea (if you're not already doing this) a couple of times a day and see if that helps.

Good luck.

---Yvette