Prehypertension?

Question

Whenever I take my blood pressure I get prehypertension.
This has been the case for about three years now.
I'm 19, 5'10" and weight 145 lbs. I think I eat pretty healthy, so I don't know.
What does this mean?

The readings are always 1 or 2 numbers higher than the lowest number for 'prehypertension' in both fields.

I don't check it often, but I check it at those machines in pharmacies when bored.
There are 3 fields: normal, prehypertension, and hypertension.

I always fall in the prehypertension field, but only by 1 or 2 from the lowest number to meet the 'standard'.

I'm Caucasian.

Answer 1

Prehypertension usually means that you show signs of developing high blood pressure in the future. I can't really tell you more than that at this point, because you didn't mention what your exact blood pressure reading was.

Re your edit:
Don't rely on those machines. They are notoriously inaccurate because they aren't calibrated often. In the case of those machines, those "prehypertensive" readings simply mean that your blood pressure at that time was in the high range of normal. A lot of things can affect that. The cuff on the machine could be a little too small for your arm, especially if you are somewhat muscular? A too-small BP cuff will often cause your reading to be falsely high. Your best bet is to get someone at your doctor's office to check your blood pressure. A lot of times, they will check your BP for you for free, without a doctor's appointment. However, if the reading is high there, they may want you to stay and see the doctor.

Answer 2

There is not such a thing called "prehypertension"..that term is confussing (in plain words, its utter rubbish)...
Hypertension is a very well established diagnosis, and whether you have that or plainly, you dont.
In order to diagnose Hypertension (high blood pressure), your blood presure (if you are caucasian and under 60), will be the reading of 140 or above (systolic) and 90 or above (dyalstolic) in three separate times with no less than 10 days between a reading and the other,, taken by a qualified person (a nurse or a doctor), and using always the same apparatus..to avoid any bias using different ones, and prererably, using the most exact of them all (the mercury column apparatus) which is the older and more reliable,,,,the "digital" blood pressure manometers, have little reliability, and before you jump to treatment or conclusions, lets do the proper diagnosis first.......
Please, do not trust those nachines in gymnasiums or super market, that are for enjoyment or fun only....They can scare the wits out of you....without any need for it.. (as it happens with old semi-broken scales that read your luck whilst telling you an impossible weight).......
Perhaps what these people (the ones that labelled prehypertension) were meaning, was "reactional hypertension", that is, there are men and women quite sensitive to respond with "spikes of B:P: to stress....

Answer 3

What are the reading that you are getting? High Blood Pressure can be purely genetic or lifestyle. If you are eating and it is low sodium it could be too much water in your system..... Have it checked out, this is not something that yahoo can answer only your doctor can.

Answer 4

what are you calling prehypertension? how often and when do you check your blood pressure? what is your ethnicity?
these all have an impact on what you are saying, clarify and you will get a better answer.

Answer 5

what is the reading that you feel is indicating prehypertntion???

You understand that the ranges given under the normal range is a guidline, some people just dont fall in that range are still completely healthy, so if unsure check with dr