High Blood Pressure in Healthy Adult

[Amarauder]

I am very concerned about my blood pressure because it is high and I make efforts to stay healthy.  Some background:

I am a 37 year old male, 5'9", 165lbs, and my average blood pressure is around 145/90.  I avoid processed foods and eat blueberries, bananas and apples daily.  I also only drink OJ, milk and water.  I seldom use alcohol. I'm a non-smoker. I run about 3 or 4 times a week for about 45 minutes and 5 miles on each run (I've been a runner for 10 years).  

I don't sleep much, my doctor has me on both Klonopin (1mg) and Ambien (10mg).  I alternate one or the other, but never the both at once.  I've had chronic insomnia for 5 years and have been taking medication pretty much the whole time.  To make things worse I have been diagnosed with ADD for over 15 years but I have just now started taking medication for that too because I've been unable to concentrate at work.  I am taking 50mg of Vyvanse Monday - Friday.  

My family doctor isn't concerned with my blood pressure but I am.  Am I at risk for a heart attack?  Should I be concerned?

[skydnsr]

If the high blood pressure just started, it could be a side effect of the Vyvanse.  Even if you had high blood pressure before starting on the Vyvanse, the Vyvanse can make it worse.  Try taking your blood pressure a few times on the Vyvanse and off the Vyvanse, at similar times of day and under similar circumstances.  Depending on the results, you may need to talk to the doctor that is prescribing the Vyvanse to see if there is something else that can help your ADHD.  I do agree with Yvette BG's other comments, above.  

[Yvette BG]

First, congratulations for choosing healthy foods and exercising regularly!

Have they done a sleep study to see what's causing the insomnia? Do they think you may have sleep apnea? Sleep deprivation throws off the body's normal rhythms and normal regulations and can cause or aggravate other health problems, including, if I'm not mistaken, high blood pressure.

Unfortunately, sleep medications can have side effects of their own. Have you tried taking melatonin under your doctor's supervision?

Does high blood pressure run in your family?

I would try not to worry about your blood pressure, but it is high and in the long-term, you'll want to get it down. The doctors may be more concerned right now with the short-term priorities, which is understandable, because sleep deprivation can lead to fatal car accidents and serious trouble with meeting your day-to-day obligations and quality of life.  

Good luck.