How do you know if you have high blood pressure?

Question

I always had 120/70 and was told it was perfect, last year I went to the Gyn and they told me my blood pressure was a little high, didn't tell me the numbers but they said it could be stress, I was going to have a pap-smear after they took my bp. That was the last time I checked my blood pressure , I have been to my family doctor but they never take my BP, today I went to CVS pharmacy and I was so bored waiting I took the test in one of those machines they have. It was 135/80. It surprised me, I waited and see other people getting normal blood pressures , I wanted to make sure the machine was working. I always watch out my diet , I exercise regulary, I eat oatmeal every day even though I hate it. I am concerned, is this considered high? I'm 28 years old and I have never been pregnant, should I go to the doctor?, I don't feel bad at all , I feel normal.

Answer 1

Blood pressure is a funny thing. Your pressure could have been elevated because you were in CVS and maybe you had been walking. Maybe even because you were bored or tired. My medical advice would be to invest in a home monitor (usually around $30.00 - 60.00 dollars) and monitor it daily. Most monitors have a memory selection and allow you to record your daily reading. Check it daily for a month or so and keep a record. This will not only assure you but will also be beneficial to your doctor. Good luck and keep on with the diet and excercise.

Answer 2

Blood pressure measurements don't count for anything if you've been walking around. Ideally, you should be sitting down for at least 5 minutes or so. Blood pressure also can vary during the day, so it's best to get measurements from similar times during the day. No caffeine in the morning either. These measurements should be repeated on a few separate occasions. Some people get "white coat hypertension" when they go to the doctor's office because they are nervous. Probably blood pressure medicines wouldn't kill you. But you don't necessarily need blood pressure medicines if your blood pressure is only high while active. When doctors study the effects of high blood pressure, they study the effects of people who are diagnosed with it as described above. You are probably at no higher cardiac risk from your blood pressure.

Answer 3

That's pretty close to normal but if it bothers you just make a visit to the doctor's office.

Blood pressure can change throughout the day based on what you eat, how much sleep you get, stress, etc... So blood pressure should really be looked at as an average not as a single reading.

A diet high in sodium will have a higher BP than one with lower typically and alcohol can also raise BP.

But like I said, if it bothers you ask a doctor about it, no reason to worry.

Answer 4

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 5

there is no way to tell if you have high blood pressure except measuring it. You don't 'feel' a certain way.

I'm a LITTLE skeptical about your doctor not taking your blood pressure. I've never had a office/ER visit that didn't include it.

Make an appointment and keep up with the exercise and eating well.

Answer 6

Hi - that number is a bit high, but it may have been due to a number of things on the day. Also, those public units are notorious for incorrect readings.

I would not put credance on the Gyno's BP test. Lets face it, it is not a pleasant experience and that can elevate the BP.

If you are in doubt, then get it checked by a health proffessional. By the way, your doctor should check it every visit, because a continuous record is important if any diagnosis is ever required in the future. If (s)he does not, then ask them to and that they record the result every time. If it is trending then this can become evident of something going on.

Answer 7

B.P. is called the silent killer because there's usually no symptoms. If you're using a store B.P. machine make sure to do it a few times to get an average. Of course best to get it done at the doctors'. Hypertension is considered when the reading is 140/90 measured at least two times. Either or both systolic/diastolic numbers would be considered hypert.

Answer 8

What Mary said. Your blood pressure is a little on the high side according to the machine, though it isn't bad.

Answer 9

yes, you have slightly elevated blood pressure. go in and talk to a doctor. they may put you on blood pressure medication. im 21 and am on it. im of normal weight and i exercise regularly as well. but some families just have elevated BP. It might also be a stress thing.

im on BP medication for headaches, and a little because my BP is elevated at times... a few doc. think i have "white coat syndrome"

Answer 10

next time the doctor says your blood pressure is high or low ask the numbers.. you need to know what it runs normally. you can look up normals online or ask your pharmacy.