Fit but High Blood Pressure
Discussion
I've just remembered... Middle of last year I went into A&E to have an injury checked out. One of the (absolutely lovely) nurse took my blood pressure, and commented that it was quite high.
Now, at that time, I was super (cardio) fit. Name any race, I'd take part. She also commented that my resting heart rate was quite low (circa 45)
Today I'm not that fit. I can still move (regular 30 mile rides, 6 mile runs, and a swim where possible) but I'm nowhere near as quick as I was this time last year. And my diet is nowhere near as 'clean'.
So, given my family have a history of marginally high blood pressure, should be concerned?
Now, at that time, I was super (cardio) fit. Name any race, I'd take part. She also commented that my resting heart rate was quite low (circa 45)
Today I'm not that fit. I can still move (regular 30 mile rides, 6 mile runs, and a swim where possible) but I'm nowhere near as quick as I was this time last year. And my diet is nowhere near as 'clean'.
So, given my family have a history of marginally high blood pressure, should be concerned?
I also consider mysef to be fairly above average in fitness/strength, I exercise (hard) regularly.
Just taken my BP.
153/87
H/R 50
I've just been walking around though......and relax.....hommmmmmmmmmmmmm
5 mins sat down
138/74
h/r 51
Systolic is still a bit high. I've mentioned it to a GP before and he just shrugged his shoulders.
My view is that it's not that far off the "ideal" 120/80 and I feel OK, look ok and get about ok.
With regards blood pressure - they tend to treat the statistics rather than the person. I'm happy to just keep an eye on it for now. No way I'm getting on the daily medication wagon at my age (37).
Just taken my BP.
153/87
H/R 50
I've just been walking around though......and relax.....hommmmmmmmmmmmmm
5 mins sat down
138/74
h/r 51
Systolic is still a bit high. I've mentioned it to a GP before and he just shrugged his shoulders.
My view is that it's not that far off the "ideal" 120/80 and I feel OK, look ok and get about ok.
With regards blood pressure - they tend to treat the statistics rather than the person. I'm happy to just keep an eye on it for now. No way I'm getting on the daily medication wagon at my age (37).
OP
Relax. I,m pretty much in the same boat and have been for many a year. My `highish` blood pressure is, I`m guessing hereditary. I do a fair bit of cycling (MTB) and used to compete until recently. I still ride regularly and run. Blood pressure recently has been always around 140s/90s. It`s been higher and sometimes I dip into the 130s/80s when resting early in the morning. Pulse is low 50s. I too visited my GP a couple of years back (and still do regularly) and he is not overly concerned. Basically said, keep exercising and eating normally. I don`t smoke by the way. My family has a history of heart attacks so really I,m farting against thunder if I think I can change that.
If its any consolation the one`s that have `left us` all smoked and were overweight so I have given myself the edge. Personally you have to play the hand you`ve been dealt and I could be worse off in the grand scheme of things so I`m ok with it.
Dave, your BP would be an improvement for me so you`re better off than me but I`m in my 40s . Fancy a swap lol?
Relax. I,m pretty much in the same boat and have been for many a year. My `highish` blood pressure is, I`m guessing hereditary. I do a fair bit of cycling (MTB) and used to compete until recently. I still ride regularly and run. Blood pressure recently has been always around 140s/90s. It`s been higher and sometimes I dip into the 130s/80s when resting early in the morning. Pulse is low 50s. I too visited my GP a couple of years back (and still do regularly) and he is not overly concerned. Basically said, keep exercising and eating normally. I don`t smoke by the way. My family has a history of heart attacks so really I,m farting against thunder if I think I can change that.
dave_s13 said:
.
My view is that it's not that far off the "ideal" 120/80 and I feel OK, look ok and get about ok.
With regards blood pressure - they tend to treat the statistics rather than the person. I'm happy to just keep an eye on it for now. No way I'm getting on the daily medication wagon at my age (37).
Agree 100%. My view is that it's not that far off the "ideal" 120/80 and I feel OK, look ok and get about ok.
With regards blood pressure - they tend to treat the statistics rather than the person. I'm happy to just keep an eye on it for now. No way I'm getting on the daily medication wagon at my age (37).
If its any consolation the one`s that have `left us` all smoked and were overweight so I have given myself the edge. Personally you have to play the hand you`ve been dealt and I could be worse off in the grand scheme of things so I`m ok with it.
Dave, your BP would be an improvement for me so you`re better off than me but I`m in my 40s . Fancy a swap lol?
Edited by bigkeeko on Friday 20th June 14:02
Edited by bigkeeko on Friday 20th June 14:05
Edited by bigkeeko on Friday 20th June 14:05
Edited by bigkeeko on Monday 23 June 15:16
ewenm said:
THX said:
I'll get it checked out.
I'm only 30, what on earth could cause high BP?!
The "absolutely lovely" nurse could...I'm only 30, what on earth could cause high BP?!
Seriously though, some people "suffer" from white-coat syndrome where their HR and BP are raised when they are tested by doctors/nurses.
blood pressure is a funny thing, When I was 19 I joined a gym, at the time it was relatively fit - did a lot of cycling etc, but my fitness assessment showed elevated blood pressure, I cant remember what it was but I was packed of to the GP and told not to come back until I had been checked out. I went to the GP who shrugged and suggested cutting our salt.
Anyhoo, over the intervening 25 years whenever I had blood pressure checked it was relatively elevated, but GPs just shrugged and said "we'll check that again next year" I did a week long observation, and noted it that actually fluctuated quite a bit, it seemed to lowest at work, and highest after driving the car (in a commuting sense, rather than hoonage)
About 8 years ago I went for a Canadian immigration medical, blood pressure high again, it was around 140/90. The medic told me that I would not be passed fit (and therefore not allowed to settle in Canada) without some evidence to say that this issue was being dealt with. My GP had to write a letter detailing his observations over the previous few years and started me on medicine. Historically, the north americans have been very much more aggressive with hypertension management
Now, I am probably not as fit I was 8 years ago, but my blood pressure is 120/80!
Anyhoo, over the intervening 25 years whenever I had blood pressure checked it was relatively elevated, but GPs just shrugged and said "we'll check that again next year" I did a week long observation, and noted it that actually fluctuated quite a bit, it seemed to lowest at work, and highest after driving the car (in a commuting sense, rather than hoonage)
About 8 years ago I went for a Canadian immigration medical, blood pressure high again, it was around 140/90. The medic told me that I would not be passed fit (and therefore not allowed to settle in Canada) without some evidence to say that this issue was being dealt with. My GP had to write a letter detailing his observations over the previous few years and started me on medicine. Historically, the north americans have been very much more aggressive with hypertension management
Now, I am probably not as fit I was 8 years ago, but my blood pressure is 120/80!
dave_s13 said:
But you said the gp started you on medication? Assuming you're still on it then 120/80 suggests it's working!
Absolutely, but I wonder what mayhem to my arterial system might have been averted if treatment had been initiated earlier (as it might have been if I had been in north america at an earlier age??) and of course treatment may have not have been initiated had the Canadian immigration process not demanded it.You really cant mess about with hypertension and the OP should get it checked out, he may not need treating at the moment but getting it flagged up as a possible issue is probably worthwhile in the long run
I have high blood pressure and a low heart rate - highly amusing when I had a fitness test at the gym.
Row for a minute, heart rate checked..... "err do another minute"
OP white coat syndrome could be the cause of high bp, but in answer to the "I'm only 30 what could cause it" question, you mention there's family history, so there you go.
If you think it might be higher when you're tested - my mum worries herself silly about going to the doc's to have hers checked...and whaddaya know, it goes up when the dr checks it - why not buy yourself a self tester and check it at home (morning and night, same times).
I was diagnosed by chance in a pre-surgery check up. Took a little while to get the dose right but i'ts all OK now. Obviously I'll be taking the tablets. FOR EVER. but I took the decision to start immediately so I could get the surgery out of the way.
Anyway, get checked out and hope it goes well.
Row for a minute, heart rate checked..... "err do another minute"
OP white coat syndrome could be the cause of high bp, but in answer to the "I'm only 30 what could cause it" question, you mention there's family history, so there you go.
If you think it might be higher when you're tested - my mum worries herself silly about going to the doc's to have hers checked...and whaddaya know, it goes up when the dr checks it - why not buy yourself a self tester and check it at home (morning and night, same times).
I was diagnosed by chance in a pre-surgery check up. Took a little while to get the dose right but i'ts all OK now. Obviously I'll be taking the tablets. FOR EVER. but I took the decision to start immediately so I could get the surgery out of the way.
Anyway, get checked out and hope it goes well.
The familial thing is important. High BP runs in my family -- my sister went blind in one eye as a result. I'm on meds which get it down to acceptable levels. No real side effects.
If white coat syndrome is an issue, you can get cheap BP testers in ASDA (etc.), test yourself, keep a record.
If white coat syndrome is an issue, you can get cheap BP testers in ASDA (etc.), test yourself, keep a record.
A lifetime of excess and daft activities resulted in me becoming diabetic at the age of 40. The many dire warnings I received had the effect of helping me to change the lifestyle and I lost ten stones, gave up drinking and took up exercise. My blood pressure was surprisingly good then but over the years worsened despite the weight loss and I reached the point where my blood pressure was reaching 200/160 which is desperando time.
A complex series of tests and medication got the BP down to around 160/90 which was much less stratospheric and I retired in the hope that the lower stress levels would assist in further reduction. It has done so and with the latest medication my BP is around the 140/70 level, which the consultants are pleased with generally. I am currently in better health now than I have been for years. BP is not something to ignore the Canadians are right to regard it as critical to longevity. Diet, exercise and avoiding all cigarettes and alcohol play a part in reducing BP as does a stress free life as far as possible. I would never ignore raised BP
A complex series of tests and medication got the BP down to around 160/90 which was much less stratospheric and I retired in the hope that the lower stress levels would assist in further reduction. It has done so and with the latest medication my BP is around the 140/70 level, which the consultants are pleased with generally. I am currently in better health now than I have been for years. BP is not something to ignore the Canadians are right to regard it as critical to longevity. Diet, exercise and avoiding all cigarettes and alcohol play a part in reducing BP as does a stress free life as far as possible. I would never ignore raised BP
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