Blood pressure

My son is 30.  He is 6'3" tall and weighs about 245 lbs.  He is physically fit, does aerobics, lifts weights etc. daily.  For the past six years, his blood pressure has been pretty consistently around 140-150 systolic over about 80-90 diastolic.  His pressure has been checked at a variety of places by a variety of people.  Last year I insisted he see an internist which he did.  The internist did not see any reason to be concerned and did nothing.  Now my son has agreed to go back to see the internist again and see if the new guidelines may have some impact.  There is no hypertension in our immediate family except for a uncle of my son's who has sever hypertension.  I am very concerned about my son and don't know what else to do.  He does watch what he eats and has cut down on soda etc.  Do you have any suggestions or should I not be concerned?  The internist is someone I know well and I have always found him to be very good.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Kristin,

Thanks for the post.

His blood pressure is generally what we would consider too high. Some people have bigger body types but at 6'3" and 245# his BMI is in the obese category.

With a 30 year old I would generally do a thourough history and physical, make sure there ar no signs of other causes of hypertension and probably recommend weight loss and continued fitness at means of blood pressure control.

good luck

[Abeybaby]

Probably want to get a little agressive now that he is young. Prolonged high to normal BP will have some impact on the heart. Its only normal that it would. I am not an MD but my dad has had high BP since his 30ties and now on BP meds since 40 now 65. Be agressive now that he is young and preventable.

The guidlines now are even below 120/80 I think its like 117/72 something like that ... comments anyone.

[Barbarella]

My comment is:  Again, not all doctors agree.  This doctor took it lightly, another doctor probably would've put this young man on BP meds immediately, again another one would've asked about his life style what he eats, drinks etc, stress in his life etc.  Some doctors do all that, some of them shrug it of and say "don't worry" and some of them put people on meds right away. I don't want to bore people with my details, but the reason I did not go on BP meds all these years was because most doctors I saw brushed it off as "white coat syndrome" and told me not to worry.  One or two wanted to put me on meds, but the majority of the doctors brushed it off as "anxiety"and of course this is all I wanted to hear, and therefore never took meds until I landed in the ER because of high BP.

[Erik36]

Your son probably needs medication for his blood pressure. He is in stage one Hypertension now and it should be controlled before it progresses. Good luck!

[jimmyb]

I am a 48 year old man who exercises regularly, has a decent family history and has a pretty good diet. Cholesterol levels a bit elevated...last check was 215...Blood pressure never a problem. However, sometmes when I am in a store just our of curiosity I do the machine BP checks...and they usually come back high. Tonight I gave one a try and it came back 165/90. I have always been right around normal in the doctor's office. Should I ignore the reading and stay away from the machines, or can they be useful? Thanks!

[jimmyb]

One more thing...right before check I ate dinner including a pretty good sized soft drink with caffeine. Thanks again!

[Barbarella]

Hey Jimmy,

Get yourself a home blood pressure monitor.  Sit quiet for about 10-15 minutes before you take your BP, if its elevated take it again after about 5 minutes.  Sometimes people are wondering what the outcome is and that can raise your BP.  I know, I have been through these BP exercises.

The caffeine could've raised your BP, but also taking your BP in public from one of these machines that can also raise your BP that is why I would get a home monitor if I were you.

Don't drink any coffee or smoke before you take your BP.  All these things I mentioned above I was told by my doctor.  Especially the sitting quiet for 15 minutes before taking the BP yet when you have a doctor's appointment the nurse who takes your BP wont always let you sit for 15 minutes :)

[jimmyb]

Thanks, Babs... I'll give that a chance next time. I have noticed that different machines at different stores give different results. I should just stay away from them!