Prehypertension - anyone else?

pretentiouskate

I'm studying dietetics in college, and in one of my classes we were recently discussing hypertension. I'd been to the doctors a couple of times in the past four months and just had a physical, but they didn't say anything about my blood pressure, so I assumed it was fine. On a whim I checked it at the pharmacy on my way home from classes Thursday, and discovered that I'm running around 124/80. Went over to my doctor's office, looked at my records, and realized I've been running high since at least January!

First of all, I'm ticked off that my doctor's office didn't realize that this is a problem - in fact the nurse I talked to denied that I had anything to be worried about!

Secondly, I'm very frustrated. I don't eat "perfectly" but I stay away from most heavily processed foods and when I cook at home I never use salt. I guess I'm not doing enough.

Here's an article explaining prehypertension: http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Prehypertension-Does-it-really-matter.shtml

Has anyone else experienced this or been diagnosed? What have you done? For reference I'm 28, 198-ish, slowly losing weight. I'm thinking about trying the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) diet, but I'm struggling with it. Even with everything I know about nutrition I find myself really angry and upset, just having a hard time with the idea that I'm starting to have these problems - I think its made worse by having such a clear understanding of what developing hypertension at a young age can lead to later in life - its pretty darn terrifying, honestly.

BreakingOath

Well, from what it sounds like you had been walking across campus and that will raise your blood pressure. Also, while in a doctors office people's blood pressure tends to be a little higher due to nerves.

pretentiouskate

Nope, I actually live an hour away from my school and had been travelling. And I don't get stressed in doctors offices, I'm in the healthcare field. There's not much that can bother me about it anymore.

BreakingOath

Thanks for the clarification . 124/80 isn't that bad in reality. If you continue to lose weight, eat right, and get regular exercise you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

wftiger

124/80 isn't bad. Seriously, I would be dead if that was what bad is. Your blood pressure fluctuates during the day. When you are relaxed then it is lower. If you are doing errands and running into a pharmacy to check it then it is bound to be higher. Many people also have white coat syndrome where it is higher at the Dr. office. Mine fluctuates about 10-15/5-10 throughout the day.

If you are worried buy a cuff for home and check it in the morning and afternoon. I have a Withings that I hook into my iPhone. Keeps track of all measurements and I can send to my Dr. if I need to. Eat healthy (no processed foods), cut your sodium to under 1500 mg per day and exercise.

I applaud you for doing some action now but don't get worried about where it is at. Keep working on it and you will be fine.

ashleab37

I was running 140/90 about 3 months ago. At last check, I was 110/65. Keep up your hard work and fitness and you'll bring it down, no doubt.

(Also, as you work in the health field you should know that prehypertension is very, very common. Doctors aren't going to try to alarm you over a reading like 124/80, probably more than half the people they see every day are higher than that)

AfonsoSilva

I don't think it is time for you to worry about your blood pressure yet, unless you had a significantly lower blood pressure before and now the 124/80 is higher than your normal.

I've had my blood pressure (and body weight) increasing steadily for the past 5 years, from 120/80 to 140/90. Two years ago I decided I had to do something about it and I joined the gym. Now my blood pressure is back to 115/80, I've lost 45 pounds (23 since joining MFP) and I feel healthier than 20 years ago.

One thing I noticed since starting tracking what I eat in MFP is how much sodium we eat everyday. It is SO HARD to stay below the recommended 2500 mg daily! Everything we eat that has been processed or prepared has so much salt in it! Everything in a can or in a bag, and every meal from restaurants are loaded with salt. And salt is a major culprit of chronic hypertension.

Make sure you exercise regularly, eat healthy stuff (at home, that YOU prepare), and please track your sodium intake in MFP. Like me, you should see results soon.

applejacks1552

I'm in the same boat as you! Mine runs right around 120/80 too, give or take and it concerns me too. My Dad has hypertension so I'm at high risk. I'm also about 198 lb right now and working to lose also.

Try to relax and know you are doing exactly what you should to improve things. Exercise, especially cardio, is very helpful in addition to a healthy diet leading to weight loss. I've also heard that yoga and relaxation techniques to bring down stress are good for bringing down blood pressure.

I've done the low sodium diet before and still try to watch it, but it's really hard. But it's well worth giving it a try though, it does help. The hardest part is if/when you go out to eat because restaurant food if terribly high in sodium. Sodium hides in everything, as I'm sure you know. Also, low sodium foods don't usually taste as good. But if you are willing to put up with that, it's not that hard to do.

As a side note, I had preeclampsia while pregnant, which probably had a lot to do with being overweight and prehypertensive. So that's something to keep in mind if you plan to have kids. I'm hoping to avoid it next time.

sunnyday789

To do a blood pressure measurement for the purposes of diagnosing high blood pressure, you should be resting for a minimum of 5 minutes in a quiet room, no talking or eating, chewing gum etc.

I think it great that one can find a blood pressure machine in pharmacies but they do not replace repeated measurement done properly.I would suggest that anyone who gets a high reading at one of these should definitely make an appointment with their doctor . It's a good idea to purchase a home monitor if you can afford it. Just have it verified with the doctor's office machine first.

And if you are still concerned about it you should make an appointment to speak to your doctor.