Hypertension in young adult

[turkmandan]

I'm a 24 year old with BP 145/100. I eat well, am fit (5 foot 10, 150 lbs), and don't drink much. I don't know why my blood pressure is so high but it has been for at least a year. I'm concerned because I have no idea what the cause could be. I just got back to the US after being abroad for 34 months and am leaving again in a month. I was in the Peace Corps and lived in a rural village in central asia and lived a rather high stress life. But why would my blood pressure still be so high?

[Londres70]

The diastolic is not high;ok, but the systolic is high (top number)

Eating vegetarian does not necessarily mean eating foods low in sodium.  

I would have it rechecked prior to traveling again.  Any possibility you can purchase a BP machine to take with and monitor your bp daily?  

Hypertension is strongly genetic-linked.  Both of my parents have it so I watch mine pretty closely.  

[SassyLassie]

I would see a doctor as soon as possible, 80 for diastolic is concerned "high" and I would get it checked, soon.

[turkmandan]

some family history of hypertension. i'm not a smoker. i drink maybe once a week. i'm also a vegetarian, can't imagine having a super high salt intake. I just realized i made a typo, my blood pressure is 145/80. not 145/100. that puts me ok i think for the dyastolic but i still don't understand the disparity.

[Londres70]

Those BP numbers are way TOO high especially for a 24 year old.  I would recommend following up with a physician ASAP before leaving out of the country again.

Any family history of Hypertension?  Are you a smoker?  What do you mean by you don't drink "much?"  Diet high in salt?  I know you mentioned the high stress levels you were living in; could be still affecting your body though you are not in Asia in anymore.