Blood Pressure Question?

Question

I've been told by two doctors that I might have high blood pressure and to get it checked out. I constantly have readings of 135/70 areas. I was wondering if anyone knew why my diastolic pressure would be higher than normal and systolic lower than normal, or if there are any conditions this might be caused by. I am perfectly healthy and have been a gymnast for 12 years. I am in peak physical condition yet have this blood pressure. Thanks

Answer 1

Your readings suggest you are a patient of Pre-Hypertenstion and this can be over come without medicine. Please read the following -

The National Institutes of Health issued new guidelines on the diagnosis of hypertension and "pre-hypertension" recently. Key aspects of the new guidelines include:

- A new “prehypertension” level and merging of other categories. The new report changes the former blood pressure definitions to:
o Normal - less than 120/less than 80 mm Hg;
o Prehypertension - 120-139/80-89 mm Hg;
o Stage 1 hypertension - 140-159/90-99 mm Hg;
o Stage 2 hypertension - > 160/100 mm Hg.

The guidelines do not recommend drug therapy for those with prehypertension unless it is required by another condition, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease. But the report advises them-and encourages those with normal blood pressures-to make any needed lifestyle changes. These include -
-losing excess weight,
-becoming physically active,
-limiting alcoholic beverages,
-and following a heart-healthy eating plan, including
-cutting back on salt and other forms of sodium.

For FOH staff who detect prehypertension levels in clients, it would be prudent to:

- 1. Recommend lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation if applicable
- 2. Follow-up with additional readings if available and
- 3. Refer clients to their primary healthcare provider for treatment evaluations, especially if they have other risk factors-

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

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 4

70 is great and is more important than the other number, 135
(which is not the worst it could be either).

My wife has a condition called "white coat" syndrome.
You may or may not have it, I don't know, I'm just saying here is one possibility.

When they take her blood pressure in the doctor's office, it always registers higher than when she takes it at home.
Apparently doctor's make her nervous.

In other words, the mere fact of her being in a doctor's office alters her blood pressure. It's no big deal, a non-event.

I was on rings and p-bars from 1960 to 1965, lettered two years in high school in gymnastics - keep it up.

Answer 5

Usually the cause of your BP increasing would be doing physical activites. Since you are a gymnast your body would speed up the blood flow in your system. For instance your BP is 120/80 (normal) then you decided to walk atleast 8 meters, then you have your BP taken- the result your BP would increase to 130/90 or 140/90... It all depends on the amount of physical exertion you perform. Another part would also be due to the food you eat. There are certain foods that increases your BP, ingestion of alcohol and medications.

Answer 6

Normal is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Pre-hypertension is 120 to 139 / 80 to 89 mm Hg.
You belong to pre-hypertension.
Non-drug methods can reduce BP by 10 to 15 mm Hg. They are as follows:-
(1) Regular exercise.
(2) Salt intake of not more than four to five grams per day.
(3) Fresh fruits and leafy vegetables (four to five servings per day).
(4) Avoidance of alcohol or drinking in moderation.
(5) Losing weight.

Answer 7

2

Answer 8

Actually the systolic of 135 is at the upper end of normal, and the diastolic of 70 is perfectly normal. Hypertension isn't normally caused by being in bad shape, though that can contribute in some people. Even if you turn out to be hypertensive, there's no reason to go blaming yourself for it.