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What Could Be The Cause For Increase In Blood Pressure?
Over about the last year my blood pressure has risen and I am worried. It had always been normal (120/80) until about 18 months ago. I had a physical and my doctor advised me that my pressure was slightly elevated. It has gone up steadily since. A few weeks ago it was high, so I gave up a lot of caffeine. I used to consume ridiculous amounts of Diet MT. Dew. Today I took Excedrin Migraine which I know contains caffeine, bit I have been pretty good about staying away from it.. Today I was shopping and I happened upon a blood pressure testing machine in the store, so I tried it. My blood pressure read 158/105. I am worried.
I am 44 years old, 5'10" and about 177 lbs. I exercise three times a week, with weights and machines. I took a two month break from exercising because I had surgery to repair a femoral hernia on November 6, 2013. I went back to the gym regularly beginning two weeks ago. Also, I had double hernia surgery in August of 2011. I plan to see my doctor soon about my blood pressure, but I am wondering if I should be worried.
Thank you.
I am 44 years old, 5'10" and about 177 lbs. I exercise three times a week, with weights and machines. I took a two month break from exercising because I had surgery to repair a femoral hernia on November 6, 2013. I went back to the gym regularly beginning two weeks ago. Also, I had double hernia surgery in August of 2011. I plan to see my doctor soon about my blood pressure, but I am wondering if I should be worried.
Thank you.
Sat, 22 Feb 2014
Dear patient,
Thanks for your appropiate concerns. Just telling by your most recent blood pressure numbers, I am pretty sure you suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension. Should you be worried immediately? Probably not unless dramatic symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or neurologic symptoms ensue. Should you be worried in the intermediate and long term? For sure, as hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor to prevent stroke. You are not overweight by your numbers, so it is unlikely that just with exercise alone you will control the blood pressure. You will need medication as well; please follow up with your physician, as he can prescribe the best medication that fits you as an individual patient. Diuretics, calcium channel blockers, or ACE-inhibitors could be first choices.
Hope that helps, wish you the best,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Cardiology
Thanks for your appropiate concerns. Just telling by your most recent blood pressure numbers, I am pretty sure you suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension. Should you be worried immediately? Probably not unless dramatic symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or neurologic symptoms ensue. Should you be worried in the intermediate and long term? For sure, as hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor to prevent stroke. You are not overweight by your numbers, so it is unlikely that just with exercise alone you will control the blood pressure. You will need medication as well; please follow up with your physician, as he can prescribe the best medication that fits you as an individual patient. Diuretics, calcium channel blockers, or ACE-inhibitors could be first choices.
Hope that helps, wish you the best,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Cardiology
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