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)-----