High blood pressure??!?

Question

Hello. I am a young 24 female, and my blood pressure has been high at every gp visit for the last year or so. I work for the nhs and my gp suggested a 24 hour tape (which was normal) and a 24 hour blood pressure monitor which i had yesterday, more for reassurance than any thing else. i just wondered as i'm curious while i await the results.... is it the average of the readings that is important? or is it significant if my bp is high on just a few readings i.e is the fact that it is SOMETIMES but not all the time high important? Also , are chest pains linked to high blood pressure? thanks in advance for any replies!

Answer 1

It's both, how high and how often. If your pressure spikes once or twice per day but returns to normal, shouldn't be a problem. If it's up and down all day, this could be a problem. Do you also have an activity "diary" that you are keeping? example: The doctor will see that you were doing housework when it was high today at 3PM. Not a problem. If it was high yesterday at 5PM and you were driving home in traffic, it may be stress related, which may or may not be serious. Causing chest pains I haven't heard of. Typical symptoms are headaches and dizziness, especially upon standing. What your describing sounds stress or anxiety related,,,especially the statement " for reassurance...while I wait the results". You shouldn't worry,,,your 24 ( a healthy body does not begin to "break down" til 25), high BP does not kill overnight, it causes damage over the long term, and you will be called within 24 hours of the results if there is anything seriously suspicious. I would highly recommend acupuncture (old school Chinese, no electrodes) if it's stress or anxiety, it works wonders.

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

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 4

Firstly a number of patients have what is called ' white coat hypertension '. That is blood pressure that is only up when the doctor takes it. When they are put on a 24 hour monitot their results are normal.

Generally it is the average reading that is important, everyone has some ups and downs. 24 hour monitors always average less that surgery readings.

Answer 5

I've had high blood pressure for 3 years im 38
had no symptoms whatsoever
I've been on atenolol 50mg (beta blocker) taken off them as not safe
then on Ramipril 2.5mg - gave me a chronic cough and no real difference in bp (ace inhibitor)
now on Ubrasatin 75mg (angiotensin II prohibitor) working a treat so far - lower pressure no side effects yet!!!!

also helps cutting down on salt intake and regular exercise - i go to a gym 3 times a week and feel great!

Answer 6

Some people have a tendency just to have high blood pressure readings while they're at the doctor's ('white coat hypertension.) That being said, mine went down after getting more active and having more fibre. (Oh, and I had to go off the pill. If you're on the pill it's more concerning that you have high blood pressure, and you should mention it to your doctor.)

Answer 7

Chest pains not linked to b/p. Get yourself a manual b/p device at the Drug Store and check it at home.