Avice please...Is my blood pressure high?

[Anonymous]

Its is 124/84? Is this high if so, what can I do to lower it? I think my doctor said low sodium diet.

[hswhis]

According to the Joint National Committee -8 guidelines, BP for individuals < 60 should be < 140/90. Some consider BP 130-140 to be pre-hypertension.

So 124/84 is not high, but it's starting to trend upwards for someone in their 20s. Best you can do is exercise, weight loss (if you are overweight) and watch your sodium intake. Exercise and a 5-10 lb weight loss can translate into 3-5 points decrease in your blood pressure.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that when people get their blood pressure taken at the doctor's office, it tends to be slightly higher than normal because of what's called "white coat anxiety". If you can, take your BP at home at the same time each day and keep track of it in a log for a couple of days. That should give you a better idea of what your true BP is.

[timetowaste]

Normal range lies at or below 120/80. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's always elevated. You're slightly above normal, but not so much that it's problematic.. yet. High blood pressure is generally treated with medication if it's at or above 140/90 for an extended period of time.

Lower your sodium intake and exercise.

[ManThatKnewTooMuch]

Don't listen to ANY of these idiots that are saying it's too high or "do what the doctor tells you."

A simple Google search will tell you what the normal range is, you're fine. A systolic reading should be anywhere between 100-160, yours is 124.

I'm also an EMT. Google it.

As far as doctors go, they're not Gods, they don't know everything. They make plenty of mistakes too and I suggest you read the book entitled "Complications" by Atul Gawande, MD.

[harakiri]

That was an amazing book. Did you read "Better"?

[timetowaste]

A systolic reading of 160 is high. Where are you getting your ranges.

[ManThatKnewTooMuch]

No, I haven't. Is it any good? I found Complications to be really enlightening.

[ManThatKnewTooMuch]

The truth is, Ms. Wasting-my-time, is that it truly is all subjective given the situation. I've met patients who function daily with blood pressures over 160, in the "They should be dead" ranges, even with all of their hypertensive medications.

Sure... 160 isn't the best place to be but it's do-able. Like I told the Asker, Google it. Stop wasting my time.

[timetowaste]

160 is stage 2 Hypertension. 160 systolic certainly isn't in the "they should be dead ranges" but it's enough to do long term organ damage, and won't necessarily interfere with normal daily activities. I'm a nurse, don't be condescending. I've dealt with patients at 230/140 at "you should be stroking out any second level." It isn't subjective given any situation. Know what you're talking about before you're spreading wrong information.

[lace1228]

An idiot I am not thank you very much... So her blood pressure isn't overly high it still isn't the greatest and should be taken care of. Why wait until it gets out of control and she needs medication to keep it within the normal range. Eating less salt isn't a bad thing you know.

[Jbgurl20]

160 could be normal to some people but for others it could be really dangerous. It's not normal for the average people.

[timetowaste]

160 is not "normal" to some people. If they're systolic is always at 160, it's HYPERTENSION. Not normal.

[ManThatKnewTooMuch]

Normal in the sense that it happens quite often. Again... wasting my time because you have reading comprehension issues.

[ManThatKnewTooMuch]

I also don't give a fuck who you are or what you do. I've seen plenty of your types fuck shit up and get patients killed. Who's the condescending one? It's you and the doctors.

[biggie90]

Celery Seed Extract
Hawthrone Berry

Eliminate caffeine and try not to be stressed. Drink lots of water and if you don't have blood clotting problems add in some fish/flax oil.

[biggie90]

Oh yeah CoQ10 helps blood pressure too.

[knotme]

last time mine 98/68

[knotme]

yours is good as well, gym a lovely thing

[Asker]

I got have coffee! But I can cut down on sodium, lol

[biggie90]

? thanks for thumbs down?

[harakiri]

Slightly hypertensive. SLIGHTLY lol. Definitely lower your sodium intake, exercise, do your best to lessen your daily stressors.

[Asker]

Today, I went to another new doc for a dentist referral, and the medical assistant tried my blood pressure like 3 times annoyed the hell out of me! Plus I had mcdonalds just a chicken sandwich. So today it was 15O something so I am worried, but I think it was just momenteraliy because getting you blood pressure checked 4 times is stressful and I was getting nauseated/anxious.

[harakiri]

It definitely could have been the stress and anxiety; also sometimes blood pressure equipment isn't properly calibrated- can give inaccurate readings.

[lace1228]

Yes it's high. Listen to your doctor, also start doing cardio even if it's just walking to start.

[Argus14]

Do what you're doctor tells you. Obey the nutritional guidelines he set and exercise.

[Argus14]

Your*

[Jbgurl20]

It's within normal range still, get worried if its 130/100

[biggie90]

140/90 is high and she's pre hypertension so she needs to be careful.

[Jbgurl20]

But its still with normal range. Anyway if she's really worried, there's nothing wrong with being a little cautious and careful with what she eats. The diet should be low fat and low sodium and execrcise is a must. And to answer your question, no, your blood pressure isn't high but there's a chance it would get higher than that. Normal is 110-120/70-80...

[timetowaste]

124/84 is greater than 120/80. Not by much, certainly, but it is technically considered Pre-Hypertensive.

[Jbgurl20]

Well yes, technically it is.. But 130/90 is still considered normal by some doctors, but it is a high normal and has to be monitored from time to time. Do you have your own bp apparatus? You should use it or buy one if you don't have it. And be careful with choosing what you eat. Avoid fatty and oily foods and stick to low sodium diet.

[knotme]

No that is in the normal range

[biggie90]

118/60 here.

[guitar-guy06]

Nah your good, very normal

[Anonymous]

obey ur doctor