Thread: Hypertension?

Originally Posted by grasshoppa

I'm suspicious that I may have hyper tension. Often when I get my BP done at the grocery store it reads 140/73...the first type is high, and the second type is optimal...I don't get how it could be so different? Although, I often get anxiety when I take put my arm in those things and I find the squeezing uncomfortable so I think the number is inflated because of that. Also, I'm often walking around the store for a while before I do it...And you are supposed to sit for 5 mins before doing it.... Still though, often I can feel the pulse in my head especially when I go from sitting to doing something quickly. (Like going down stairs). Sometimes in my neck, and I also get pains in the front of my neck.

I don't understand how I could have high blood pressure, I work out almost everyday, but I'm also sitting down a lot lately because my work has slowed down a lot, I'm not obese by any stretch. Any input/advice would be appreciated.

I will be going to a doctor eventually, I just need to get my health card renewed. So please avoid posting "just go to a doctor"

It's possible that you could have Systolic pre-hyptertension. If I were you I would monitor it a little more frequently. Working out and exercising daily is usually not enough. If you are African American this is very common as genetically most African Americans do have an increase in BP and Hypertension can be very common. You may want to start watching your sodium intake. The avarge amount of Sodium one should take in should be no more than 2500mg. If you are African American it should be half that amount daily intake. Next time you check your pressure allow 5 to 10 minutes of relaxation before you put your arm into that cuff and then check. I'm sure your doctor will also explain what steps you should take in order to monitor. Hypertension is very serious and you should try to keep it closely watched as you get older in life. If after 5 or 10 minutes of rest and you check your pressure and your Systolic levels are still elevated over 130 then you may want to visit your local walgreens or CVS pharmacy and invest in a portable BP monitoring device. Some are fairly cheap running no more than $20 and then they can increase in price depending on the maker also. GE has a very good one. Also next time you check your pressure make a note of your pulse rate. It shouldn't normally be any higher than 72 bpm (beats per minute). If its any higher thats a sure indication of pre-hypertension as your heart is working harder to pump blood.

If your doctor feels that you are pre-hypertensive then he may prescribe a prescription normally a beta blocker like Metropolol which reduces the heart rate and brings down the Systolic pressure during strenous activities. I know a lot about this because my mother was a cardiologist.

I'm not african american, but I that sounds like a really good guess. I realize beta blockers are good for certain things, but isn't bad to have a reduced heart rate when you are working out? I am pretty health conscious, but in North America it is really easy to over do it with the sodium intake. I will try to keep tabs on this as much as possible. I may even start writing it down to see how much sodium I am taking in regularly.

I was just reading about Systolic-Prehypertension and apparently it can cause Coronary calcium which basically hardens your arteries and cause Heart Attacks and strokes. I'll be taking this seriously, hopefully go to a doctor asap.

Thank you very much for your input!

Anytime ^.^ Keep working out as you are and add walking into your regime. If you walk try speed walking. If you're working out and preforming a walking regime make sure you do so later in the day rather than early morning hours. The reason why is because sticky blood patelets becomes sticker in the early morning hours after we've awaken usually between the hours of 6a.m. and 10a.m. These hours are known by medical professionals as "The Witching Hours" Heart attacks and cardiac arrhythmia are most common during this time frame as the patelets build up affecting the normal electrical activity in the heart. If you're monitoring your pressure at home, you will always notice your pressure will be elevated upon waking up. So drink lots of water before sleeping at night to keep the sticky blood flowing. With regards to beta blockers, it's good to have a lower heart rate when performing strenuous activities because exerting the heart into overdrive can be not so good in the long run. Thats why a lot of Athletes get in trouble for taking beta blockers while performing an event because it gives and advantage of endurance. Slower heart rate = Increased amount of in durance. If your doctor were to prescribe beta blockers to you just make sure you ask him if it's okay to exercise while taking them and if not when will be an appropriate time frame. As I mentioned continue to watch your sodium intake because over time that will have a large impact on your systolic/diastolic pressure. Follow those steps and you'll see your BP drop in a normal range less <120/77>

I often run, and I'm trying to get into swimming by the local pool is only open for lane swim in the early hours 7-9. So I've only been a few times. Is there something specifically good about walking or is it just any cardiovascular excersize?

I also never knew about the sticky blood patelets, but it does make sense. My dads friend died of a massive heart attack early in the morning before he even woke up. I find it personally funny because I usually feel the best in the morning and I feel worse as I stay up late. Although I often have to let the dog out around 7am and I can definately feel my heart beating stronger than it should, I assume this is just a shock effect caused by sleeping then jumping out of bed?

And about the beta blockers, I realize that the lower your heart rate is while doing strenuous excersizes means that your heart is strong, but if your heart rate is lower than it should be isn't that dangerous in someway?

Again, thanks for the advice. I'll make sure to drink water before going to bed now. I think the hardest part about this will be sodium intake. I mean, I just ate a bagel...It's just bread and it contains 280mg of sodium...Thats 12% of my intake right there...