Blood pressure 148?

[Anonymous]

And the nurse at the hospital said it was too high and she asked if I had any pain, which I don't. She wanted to do an ECG but I said no as I wasn't there for anything like that, she said it was too high that's why she wanted to do one. So then a doctor came to see me and asked if I take Beta-blockers, is my blood pressure really that high? I have anxiety and I get nervous! Also I'm 26

[Helpmeplease44]

is that the bottom number or top?

Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While BP can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over.

A systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 means you have prehypertension, or borderline high blood pressure. Even people with prehypertension are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. A systolic blood pressure number of 140 or higher is considered to be hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Meaning, in short, you probably have been consuming too much sodium in your diet or might have a hereditary trait contributing towards it (like many african-americans suffer from HBP / Hypertension).

Anyway, its not incredibly high - I'd just recommend watching your sodium intake. Try not to go over 1500-2000 mg a day if possible.

[Asker]

It's was 148/90

[Helpmeplease44]

not 'dire', not 'life-threatening' but definitely above the normal 120/80 ranges obviously.

just scale back on your sodium / drink more water, lay off alcohol and smoking a ton if you hit those a lot - try to eat a bit healthier in between whatever your normal life style is.

try to be more conscious of how much sodium is in whatever your consuming.

I had high blood pressure but now I've moderated it to the degree that I don't need medication or anything just by drinking a ton of water every day + monitoring my sodium in take.

good luck. :D

[Asker]

Yeah I agree and tbh I think it's due to stress and anxiety! As I went hospital about week ago and had 2 nurses check my blood pressure and they didn't say anything, and that was hours between.
It's something I can work on and fix

& that's good :) glad to hear that.

& thank you

[26ukdude]

You didn't mention the bottom number either which also matters... 140 over? is slightly high but nothing to worry about, though it needs to be monitered. Some peoples are raised when they see a medical professional known as white coat syndrome. The best thing would be to get a moniter and do it at home.
I have hypertension and had a kidney ultrasound yesterday to determine if something is causing it, or if its just essential (unknown). which it is in 90% of cases.
I've also had a 24 hour moniter fitted which takes it every half hour througout the day and I may be looking at medication for the rest of my life - seeing a doctor next Thursday.

Half my readings are above 140/90 and roughly half are below.

The highest I had in hospital was 190/120... yeh thats a dangerous level.

[26ukdude]

"sorry 148 over? is slightly high..."

Yes anxiety can raise it, and yes you should have had an ECG to see if there is strain or unusual rhythms.

[redeyemindtricks]

A high systolic (top) number is actually WORSE if the diastolic (bottom) number is LOWER. If the difference between those two numbers is more than fifty or sixty, you may have a serious problem with stiff arteries.

[26ukdude]

@redeyemindtricks Yes perhaps it is a seriouis problem, as is a big difference between each arm as that can also signify stiff arteries but I was making a general point. You can't simply say I have a blood pressure of 148...
One number on its own means very little.

[Asker]

148/90 she got a doctor to see me and he was just asking am I taking beta blockers

[redeyemindtricks]

Difference between arms would make me worry, yeah.

Oh, one more thing -- how tall are you?
Taller people have higher "healthy" blood pressures. Which should be duuuhhh -- I mean, just think of the whole point of blood pressure in the first place -- but, for some reason, even most doctors just don't acknowledge this at all.
I have a couple of clients who are 6'6"-ish and who were absolutely freaked out because their idiot GP's gave them advice best tailored to people a foot shorter.

[26ukdude]

Thats not too bad, my GP says home readings of 135/85 or above mean something should be done about it. And most of mine are over that which is why im having to have blood tests ultrasounds and other things done. Dont wanna be on meds for good at my age...

[26ukdude]

Im 5'9 so not that tall for a guy, made lifestyle changes which has bought it down a bit:

Haha i actually found the readings I took at home recently, here they are:

Morning Afternoon

134/84 143/85
137/79 132/86

149/86 149/84
133/83 150/82

123/77 149/86
125/77 135/79

129/80 146/82
127/78 135/83

[vmw2008]

A systolic BP of 148 is high, especially for a 26 year old. You were probably diagnosed with hypertension. It's not anything I'd be insanely worried about, but it's one that if left undiagnosed, could get worse.

Lifestyle changes would be in your best interest.

[KnifeHacks]

As someone who also suffers from anxiety, it's important to have perspective on these things.
I'm not going to lie to you- A blood pressure of 148 is pretty high. That may be considered hypertension, I'm not 100% sure.
So your blood pressure isn't ideal. It doesn't mean you are about to die or you're going to suffer from a heart attack or anything like that. It just means you have to listen to the doctor and do what he says so you can lower it.
Don't know where you're from, but in America a lot of people have high blood pressure. It won't instantly kill you. It's good that you found out so you can take steps to lower it. I wouldn't worry about it, although I know that's easier said than done with anxiety.
Hope this helps. Listen to your doctor and I'm sure you'll be fine. Health issues aren't uncommon or unheard of.

[KnifeHacks]

You can also monitor your blood pressure, but don't get obsessive about it. Monitor it once a week at the most, unless your doctor says otherwise. Ultimately it is what your doctor says not what I or anyone else says that matters.

[KnifeHacks]

:heart:

[KnifeHacks]

dunno how to do the heart thing... yeah

[RasmusAiken]

An isolated systolic blood pressure of 148 should raise concern but not panic. What you should do is to begin to monitor your own blood pressure. Get a wrist cuff from Walmart or Amazon (shameless promotion, sry) and take several readings a day. Some cuffs will 'memorize' your readings. If yours doesn't just write them down. Then go to your doctor with the readings.
Blood pressure is generally easy to control with inexpensive agents like lisinopril taken once a day.

[Intraluminal]

There are many reasons, anxiety. A reecent large meal, excessive energy drinks, etc. That could raise your blood pressure temporarily. One reading is meaningless. Take your blood pressure several times this week. If it's still above 120 then go to the doctor.