High BP, but low cholesterol and an athlete

[Spudicus]

Alrighty, I'm a senior in high school, just barely 18.  Two weeks ago, I gave blood for the first time, and they said my blood pressure was a little high (162/88).  I wrote it off as nerves or a bad morning (between 8:30-9:30 A.M.).

This past week, around 10:00 A.M. I felt a little dizzy, and I was really tired, so I went down to the clinic to sit down and relax for a while.  While there the nurse checked my BP, and it was 130/90, which she said was high, later that afternoon I was at 140/90.  I kept track over this week taking two readings a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Wed-126/80,140/80.  Thurs-112/76,140/76.  Fri-122/68,122/90.

High blood pressure doesn't really run in my family, my dad's is actually normally low.  I got my cholesterol results back from the blood center, it was at 176.  My life isn't very high stress, but its not easy either.  I've never really had any problems before with my blood pressure, and I'm a swimmer with excellent lung capacity.  I had breathing problems that were attributed to acid reflux in the fall, and I'm currently on prevacid, advair, singulair and clarinex.  

I have been having some headaches, but nothing unbearable.  My sleeping habits aren't the best, but I get around 7-7.5 hours most nights, with more on some weekends.

I'm trying to figure out if this is something I need to see my doctor about.  I'm going to continue tracking my blood pressure mon-fri, twice a day with the school nurse, so I can see if I improve.

[GypsyA]

be sure you are cutting out the potato chips, salty foods, and watch the sodium intake....that retains fluid and could run the diastolic up on you.  Thats what my doc says anyway, but still need to get it checked by a doctor off and on...just drop by their office and ask if a nurse could check it for you.  I work for a family practice and we have ones do that all time.  If theirs is up, then we get the doctor to see them or the FNP.
I have systolic hypertension which has been hard to treat because my diastolic runs so low plus heart rate is so low most times.  Good Luck

[kitcurious]

If your doctor has an ambulatory BP monitor you may want to try that. If you are anxious about your blood pressure that alone could drive it up if you keep having it taken constantly.

[Spudicus]

I'm a pretty easy going guy, I don't do alot of worrying.  Its more of a nuisance.  I'm 18, I shouldn't be having these problems!