So im 17 years old. Half a year ago i got a bacterial infection, a flu, from which i got lung and nasal cavity ignition. The doctors told that the bacteria affected my whole body and was basically killing me. After a while, like 2 weeks after i got released from the hospital, i suddenly had developed a fear of Blood pressure monitor, i know it sounds weird. At home i started worrying about my body, and was looking for bad symptoms to feed my health anxiety, which led to having panic attacks all day long for about a month, that got my systolic number to almost 170. But when i was with friends i was calm. Luckily i now overcame this fear as i realized panic attacks do no harm. But im still suffering with little depression at the moment.
So my problem is that i think i got misdiagnosed with hypertension. During my visits with my cardiologist everytime i get very nervous and anxious, which leads to increased bp numbers like 140/65. I do take some prescribed meds at the moment. So after last visit i started a healthy and low sodium diet which now is leading to very low bp numbers. Before this hypertension thing i used to eat loads of junk food, tons of chocolates. So now i want to know, can i have a normal, long life and have no worries about my heart while playing sports? Im an active teen who plays for a highschool basketball team.
Well, anxiety raises your blood pressure a lot. I normally have blood pressure of 110 over 75 but when anxious it goes up to 150. From your description It doesn t look like you have hypertension. As long as it drops when you are calm you are fine. Hypertension is a chronic condition which results in permenantly high blood pressure. Are you on hypertension medication now? If yes get a second opinion. You re too young to be taking this sort of drug. Also know that our blood pressure fluctuates a lot during the day depending on a bunch if factors like temperature, activity levels, stress levels. You mention that you play basketball and it s absolutely normal to have high heart rate and elevated blood pressure after such strenous activity. All athlets do, even super fit ones. And yes, even in the unlikelyhood that you do have high blood pressure you can have a normal life and long life. Relax your mind and get a second opinion.
Thank you for your answer. Yes i am currently on 2 drugs; Losacar 25mg and Nebilet 5mg, i live in Lithuania so here doctors instantly prescribe meds if you have high bp, they dont even talk about diets. Funny thing i got prescribed these 2 drugs when i had panic attacks, if i would have been calm i wouldnt be using any drugs at the moment. I kept telling my cardiologist that its just me, that its just panic attacks, anxiety, but she wouldnt listen to me.
If she s a cardioligist she must have done tests to detect any underlining issues and prescribe accordingly. What kind of tests did she do? How did she come to the conclusion that you need blood pressure drugs? Did she explain it to you? You seriously need to get opinion from another doctor. Blood pressure medication prescribed without any serious indicationd that you really have hypertension can lead to your blood pressure not being able to regulate itself without drugs. If your elevated blood pressure is situational you shouldn t be taking them. Please look into it.
Well we did an stress test where you have to run on this bicycle, their goal was that my upper number should reach to 220, and they would stop the test. But i tried my hardest to keep going and the number only reached 202, then i was out of breath and stopped the test. While i was in the waiting room i was nervous, shaking., but after i stepped in the office i was very calm and i got readings 141/66. After the test stopped i got prescribed Losacar, and thats it.
First of all, congratulations on your new healthy lifestyle! You made a very smart choice and it will benefit you for the rest of your life!
you can definitely have a normal long life. Normally your doctor would clear you to play sports. I would suggest speaking with your cardiologist about that. it's good to just confirm it And It will give you peace of mind.
keep up that healthy lifestyle! ❤️