Hypertension

I've got borderline high blood pressure at the age of 31, and being in
basically the same (good) physical shape. The first thing you should
realize is that a single borderline high blood pressure reading is no basis
for actually establishing that you have high blood pressure, but could be a
fluke because you were especially stressed out that day, or you hadn't
gotten enough sleep, or you were in pain from an injury from running
(perhaps).

Establishing that you have high or borderline high blood pressure takes
looking at it over a period of time, and doctors are very quick to prescribe
medication to correct the blood pressure issue, and in my experience,
sometimes too quick.

Stress is definitely a major factor in blood pressure elevation. Getting
stressed about the next blood pressure reading complicates the issue (often
known as "white coat hypertension" in relation to stress caused by seeing a
doctor). While I'm no doctor, I would say that you have a concern that you
need to pay attention to right now, by monitoring what your blood pressure
is doing, but you may not have an actual issue at this point. It's entirely
possible that your next blood pressure reading will be entirely normal, and
you can put this behind you. Having said that, it's also important that you
monitor it, just because high blood pressure generally has no outward
symptoms, and left undetected can go on to cause severe health problems.

Good luck--
Drew

"Dred" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, let me see if I'm the only one out there..
I'm in my mid/late 30's, my BMI is around 22.5, and I have run a
marathon for each of the past 6 years. I run 25 miles a week
religiously. I drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day and about 2 alcoholic
beverages a day. When I went to see a doctor for a running injury 2
months ago, for the first time in my life I had a high blood pressure
reading. My recent blood pressure readings since have been around
135-150/70-78. I don't know much about my family history because both
my parents died young of other causes. I am going to see my physician
next week. Is it common to have hypertension at such a relatively young
age and despite the fact that I am of ideal weight and exercise
regularly? Could my stressful job have much to do with it? I'm stressed
about my blood pressure, and that probably is not good for it either.

You didn't mention what sort of a diet that you have. The DASH (dietary
approaches to stop hypertension) diet has been proven to be effective in
lowering blood pressure. If it works for you, you will see a significant
difference in a short trial (2 weeks). The emphasis is on lots of fruits,
vegetables and low fat dairy products. There is a paperback book available
"The DASH Diet for Hypertension" by Thomas Moore but I suspect there is lots
of information on the web to get you started. You should also monitor your
salt intake (lots of hidden salt in processed foods). I find that coffee
will temporarily raise my blood pressure so you might take that into
consideration when taking readings.

"Dred" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, let me see if I'm the only one out there..
I'm in my mid/late 30's, my BMI is around 22.5, and I have run a
marathon for each of the past 6 years. I run 25 miles a week
religiously. I drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day and about 2 alcoholic
beverages a day. When I went to see a doctor for a running injury 2
months ago, for the first time in my life I had a high blood pressure
reading. My recent blood pressure readings since have been around
135-150/70-78. I don't know much about my family history because both
my parents died young of other causes. I am going to see my physician
next week. Is it common to have hypertension at such a relatively young
age and despite the fact that I am of ideal weight and exercise
regularly? Could my stressful job have much to do with it? I'm stressed
about my blood pressure, and that probably is not good for it either.

NIH has some free info
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/
You can find more background if you go to the home page http://www.nih.gov/
and search on dash diet.
bj

"Jane" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You didn't mention what sort of a diet that you have. The DASH (dietary
approaches to stop hypertension) diet has been proven to be effective in
lowering blood pressure. If it works for you, you will see a significant
difference in a short trial (2 weeks). The emphasis is on lots of
fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products. There is a paperback book
available "The DASH Diet for Hypertension" by Thomas Moore but I suspect
there is lots of information on the web to get you started. You should
also monitor your salt intake (lots of hidden salt in processed foods). I
find that coffee will temporarily raise my blood pressure so you might
take that into consideration when taking readings.

Oh relax buttercup. If those lackluster sperm count and IQ numbers
aren't bothering you, why would you let a little thing like your high
blood pressure become an issue?

Dred said:

OK, let me see if I'm the only one out there..
I'm in my mid/late 30's, my BMI is around 22.5, and I have run a
marathon for each of the past 6 years. I run 25 miles a week
religiously. I drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day and about 2 alcoholic
beverages a day. When I went to see a doctor for a running injury 2
months ago, for the first time in my life I had a high blood pressure
reading. My recent blood pressure readings since have been around
135-150/70-78. I don't know much about my family history because both
my parents died young of other causes. I am going to see my physician
next week. Is it common to have hypertension at such a relatively young
age and despite the fact that I am of ideal weight and exercise
regularly? Could my stressful job have much to do with it? I'm stressed
about my blood pressure, and that probably is not good for it either.

They recommend getting the average of 10 blood pressure readings to get
a more accurate assessment of what your blood pressure is. It's also
very common for some people to have higher blood pressure readings at a
doctor's office.

I don't know how you are getting your blood pressure tested - Doctor's
office only or with a home machine. Stores like Walmart, Target, Drug
Stores have blood pressure machines that are free to use plus you can
buy an accurate home blood pressure machine for $30-$80. Once you have
a baseline for your average blood pressure readings then you could try
the DASH diet and see if that helps.

People who have responded to your question have suggested some medical
websites and these websites should give you the most accurate
information on trying to lower your blood pressure. These websites will
give you general info like exercising, lose some weight, limit alcohol,
limit your salt intake, and etc.

I don't know how common it is for a person in their mid 30's to have
elevated blood pressure readings.

Good Luck