Highblood Pressure!

[Mike31]

I went for a physical today and found out that I have high blood pressure (HBP), 150/80. I am extremely physically active, lift weights 3-4 times per week and run twice a week. I am 6'5 and weigh 205. I would definitely like to put on some more muscle, I want to get to about 215, I eat pretty healthy. This is why finding out that I have HBP, at 21 y/o, was such a shock (although I do have a family history of HBP). I am sitting here now, wondering what I do next. What can I do next? I`ve looked online and many sites say to exercise regularly, eat healthy and reduce stress in order to keep BP low. I already DO all of these. Can I have a successful career as a FF with HBP? Will I be able to get hired with HBP?

Any thoughts?

[FiremanLGT]

Being as young as you are (and in good shape), I'd suspect you were either simply nervous, suffered from "white coat" (ie. anxiety from the Doctor/nurse) syndrome, or even had a little too much coffee shortly before the BP test.

Your diastolic was 80 which is ideal/normal.....and is ususally the number physicians would be more concerned about if it was high. Your systolic should ideally be around 120, but can fluctuate greatly over several minutes especially if stress is involved.

If I were you, I'd keep an eye on it periodically just to be safe and put you at ease......but given your age, weight and fitness level I don't think you have anything to worry about. When I did my firefighter physical when I got hired my pulse was hovering in the high 90's and my BP teeter tottered on the high (140/90) range. They told me to sit and relax for 10 minutes, rechecked my vitals and I was good to go. It's all nerves, cuz you got so much riding on it :)

[Mike31]

I really don`t think that is the case but thanks for the wishful thinking. I actually don`t drink coffee and this was the 2nd time I had my BP taken. The first time (one week ago) it was high and my doctor told me to come back in 7 days. So when I went today it was still 150/80. I was definitely nervous the this time but it seems too coincidental to me. The only reason he could come up with was that my mom has it.

[JayG]

A family history of hypertension definitely puts you at a disadvantage but it is not carved in stone either. You mention you eat a healthy diet but the constitution of this diet is not noted. I'm sure you are aware that a reduction in sodium intake is normally recommended to reduce blood pressure. More often however it is the ratio of potassium to sodium, and in some cases magnesium also helps lower BP.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21403995
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22051430
Consuming more potassium rich vegetables may help.
Vegetables in general can help lower BP as well. Many leafy greens and especially celery contain nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide which is a potent vasodilator and reduces BP.
http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/56/2/274.abstract

Always remember to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor before implementing them.

[Mike31]

I will definitely look into those, thanks. Does anyone know what a Fire Department`s view on HBP when hiring would be? Are my chances shot?

[bloggins]

A lot of guys who are "extremely physically active" are often taking supplements to help refuel their body. And no, I'm not talking about steroids necessarily but a lot of guys take a number of different products without really fully understanding their effects.

At your height and weight... you don't sound particularly big (at all) but maybe all arms and chest. Many young guys are like that...

They may have simply been using a cuff that was too small for you. This would result in a false high reading. You'd probably want at least a 12 while a lot of clinics use 10-11.

Anyway, worth a thought.