Kids/Teens with high blood pressure

ExplorinLauren

My son (at the time15) went to the DR for a normal checkup, and it was discovered he had high blood pressure. It was checked SEVERAL times over the span of 30 minutes, in all positions.... It was so high, that they immediately ordered an EKG, Tested his blood, and put him on meds. He was on meds for about a year...and got his BP under control.... and we went through various referrals to finallyyyyy meet up with a Cardiologist. Once there, the heart dr said he wasn't convinced it was a heart problem, and took him off of the meds, and ordered a kidney ultrasound. Maybe it wasn't a heart problem... but the DR managed to convince my son in 10 min that there was probably "no problem at all" and that he can do whatever he likes now (at least this is how my SON heard it, being a teen!)
I don't deny that the doctor knows more than I do. lol... Obviously he does. But my son loves Caffeine... Monsters, Mt Dew, Coffee...etc... ALL THINGS I NEVER ALLOW HIM TO HAVE, and ESPECIALLY after hearing he has HBP!.... But by the Dr saying he isn't convinced he has a problem, and taking him off his meds, my son has now "decided" it was never a big deal to begin with. He can have anything he wants and do what he likes... but he will "moderate" it. Mind you, my son is now 17 almost 18 and going to be an adult with NO rules anymore about what he can and cant drink, eat or do.
I find this terribly disturbing. My son, even at 17 doesn't know that much about general life. He is still learning. He DEF doesn't know ANYTHING about the medical field (which I worked in!) and has NO clue about how things affect his body. Or the fact that HBP at 15 is def an issue... And something that should ALWAYS be monitored... whether "he" thinks so or not! I feel like this Cardiologist we went to, mixed with my sons "I know everything" attitude has led him on a path that now he thinks everything is cool, and a problem never existed. Instead of realizing he needs to take notice and fix it! Not give himself excuses to have Monsters.
I'm PISSED at the Dr for even mentioning it in front of my son... but I also feel helpless that now I can't seem to make him focus on his health!
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH what do I do?

ExplorinLauren

Really?? Nothing

ExplorinLauren

I was HOPING someone out there in the "healthy" world has dealt with this

thescrumisfun

I will put in a bump for you. Don't worry, others will respond. It's late and the forums can be really busy at times, so not all of the threads get seen automatically. I wish I could be of more help! Have you tried sitting down and seriously talking about HBP?

edraper70

My son was also found to have high blood pressure at the age of 15. He had every test in the book, and they found no cause for it. He was on meds for several years. Once he got out of high school, he learned how to control the bp with his diet and got off the meds. I think his bp is still a little high, but it's much better than it was at 15. Diet and exercise are what helped him.

He was more careful because he wanted to play sports (football especially) and the doctor wouldn't have let him with the high numbers he started with.

cmcorn26

Was your son overweight? What did the kidney ultrasound show? You need to have a sit down with your son. Explain to him about hbp, medications, food and drink choices. And yes you can't control his intake choices, but do you have control over finances or anything of that nature? To limit what he can buy...they are expensive drinks.... Is he still living with you?
If he is still 17, you should b able to talk to the physician and tell him your concerns, maybe you can come up with a plan together.
My stepson and stepdaughter (I raised them) knew everything until they moved out, then we weren't so dumb.
and my stepson was continually breaking bones on his skateboard...with his other poor choices.
I wish you luck. It might just take him being on his own to get it figured out.

Agator82

I am a little confused and curious about the results from the kidney tests. HBP can both cause and be cause by a decline of kidney function. You said that the DR made statements about HBP not being important in front of your son, but it sounds like you were not there. Is it possible that your son is not being fully honest with you? Exercise your right as a parent and talk to the DR and get the full story.

Also how high was his BP at the DRs appts? It may be that it was elevated at the specialist but not high high.