My 16 year old son has high blood pressure!!?

Question

I was shocked...my son is 5'8" he weighs 198 but he plays footbal and he wrestles..he has been an athlet all of his life...he went for his physical for wrestling and his bp was 144/80, I was in shock to find this out because I always thought he was in good health. His doctor is not sure if he can still wrestle she has to check with a cardiologist....

my question is...do you think that is a "high" reading and have you ever heard of a "healthy"teenager having high blood pressure..I know his weight is high but he is all muscle...like 5% body fat.

Answer 1

Most cases of hypertension (HTN) do occur in healthy people and all of us see and treatment pre teen and teenagers with HTN. An elevated blood pressure (BP) reading is not the same as having HTN as such readins are common. The diagnosis of HTN is usually based upon 3 readings at monthly intervals and I prefer that these be taken at home shortly after waking up. In that setting #s above 115/065 should be brought to the attention of a physician.

Answer 2

It's still possible, however 198 is at the top end of the weight. Family history, stress, and diet play a part as well. For diet, limit the salt- you will be surprised to see were you find it- soda. Try No Salt- it has potassium which helps as well. Have him stop eating pork. I'll bet if most people stopped eating pork for 1 month and tried to go back to eating it they would get sick (personal experience) I am also over weight and on high blood pressure meds. Coming down using the above.

Answer 3

100/70 is fine for a resting bp on a 16 year old but 132/80 is a bit high. It is understandable if you had just been exercising or vomiting, but otherwise I would get it checked on a regular basis for a month or two to see what is happening. (Once or twice a week). Try getting it checked when you have been lying down for 5 minutes, and then check it again a minute after standing to see if there is any change. Kidney problems as well as heart problems can cause BP changes. You were probably worked up over feeling nauseous to make it go up, but get it checked anyway. Good luck

Answer 4

His numbers are high, but not in the critical stage. I would look at this as an opportunity to thoroughly review his diet and make sure that his sodium intake is not above the recommended 2500 mg per day. If it is, cut out all salty snacks i.e. potato chips, etc. At 198 lbs for a 16 year old, he needs to start watching his caloric intake as well. Diet can do a lot. Good luck.

Answer 5

he needs to get the pressure under control although he is
atheltic carrying that much weight at 5'8 is quite a bit anc
could be putting a strain on his heart. by all means have a cardiologist check him out.

Answer 6

Hypertension is not always related to age or health. Certain conditions are have a genetic predisposition. Certain conditions are more prevelent in various races. Cancer and diabetes are more prevelent in people of European decent. Hypertension is very common among people of African decent. Normally these kinds of genetic issues can be treated quite successfully with medications.

Answer 7

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) has many factors, including high cholesrol (Arteriosclerosis ), genetics, salt intake, obesity, occupation, alcohol intake, family size, excessive noise exposure.

Answer 8

He needs a chek up to rule out congenital polycystic kidney or renal artery stenosis.

Answer 9

so whats the question?