Sudden increase in BP

Heart health and blood vessels
1

 Hi there,

I'm currently 39 years old, male, and I've been struggling with blood pressure over the last several months. I've had bouts of pre-hypertension prior to this (depending on how you define it of course) but back in August I was having my blood pressure checked and it was quite high (150 - 160 / 100 - 110).

I was already exercising and dieting at the time  which I found to be frustrating. In previous times when my blood pressure was on the rise losing 5-10lbs and starting to exercise regularly would get me back where I needed to be.

I modified my diet and went mostly plant based (the exception being salmon, cod) and continued to exercise and monitor my BP. Without any medication I was getting regular results of 135-145 / 85-95. I was pretty obsessive about checking it for a while there but more recently I've checked it a few times a week.

On  Monday of this week I checked it on my home machine and it was consistent with what I got at the gym (the gym I go to is connected with a medical facility). My BP was 140-145 / 90-95 (both at the gym and on my machine at home).

I decided to check last night (Wednesday) and was shocked that I was reading 155 - 160 / 105 -110. This was pretty consistent (I took several readings over the course of 2-3 hours). I woke up this morning to the same results. I've been taking readings throughout the day and I range from 155-180 / 105 - 115. I went to the gym this morning to confirm (hoping my BP machine was being inaccurate) with the same results.

I can't figure out what in the world happened? A few noob questions:

1. Is it possible that excessively taking my readings (the pressure the machine puts on my arm) did a little damage somehow and made the results less accurate (wishful thinking of course - just hoping)

2. The last day I had my typical readings I did some heavy resistance training. Afterward, I did about 30 minutes of HIIT. I alternated walking 2 minutes with 45 seconds of sprinting. I was wearing a HR monitor at the time and my heart rate was sore to 170-180 but only for a small interval. I don't normally do this (first time in a loooooong time for running) and just wondered if this could be a cause for concern?

3. Clearly, I'm an anxious person and this is really feeding my anxiety. I'm sure this contributes, but how much?

Also - While I've lost weight (35lbs or so) I'm still carrying quite a bit of excess (I'm 5'9" and weigh 240lbs). I've fluctuated quite a bit but until this year NEVER had to worry about BP as long as I was losing weight and exercising. 

I made an appointment with my GP who will no doubt want me on meds which I desperately wanted to avoid...

I appreciate any feedback in advance.

2

Hi MP421, well, some thoughts, that it all tends to get worse with age, so a little (!) extra weight, and a little extra stress, and there you go.  Yes exercise can raise your BP a lot, and how long it takes to fully normalize can vary a lot, too, BP or heart rate.

​If you can drop another 35+ pounds, who knows, maybe it all gets wonderful.  I'm having a heck of a time trying to drop maybe 20+ pounds, so I can hardly say. smile

3

Hello mpizzle421,

​Have some Great News and, of course, some not so Great News.  

​1.  BMI (Body Mass Index) is a Tool - a Very Good Tool - but just that.  One Tool to use with others in keeping your Body Cruising!

​At 5'9", your BMI should be approximately 25. (Actually 24.9 or less to be "Normal&quotwink.  But, if one is a Professional/Competitive Body Builder, one may weigh 270 at 5'9" and have a BMI of 30+ and a 5% Body Fat.  And actually many of these Athletes are not Truly Healthy as 5% Body Fat is not really good or sustainable in the Long Run.

​Are You a Pro Body Builder?  I noticed you said you went to the gym regularly and I believe you said you hit the weights pretty hard.

​If You're NOT a Pro Body Builder and much of your weight is Fat, You're doing the correct thing in seeing your GP as a Start!  Actually seeing him with your current readings is a good thing if your name is "Lee Haney"!

2.  At 39, it's highly unlikely that you're in any serious trouble but you do need to evaluate your Life Style.

​A Person of Average Muscle/Fat/Water of 5'9" should weigh 170 lbs. +/- to come in at a BMI of 25.  Having said that, if you ARE rather muscular, You WILL NOT weigh 170 - and that's where the BMI becomes a little less relevant!

​

​3.  Your BP Readings are "Systolic" (the top Number) and "Diastolic" - the Lower Number.  Generally - but not an absolute - the Top Number is more related to Stress in Ones' Life and the Bottom Number relates to such things as issues related to the Arteries, Valves, Heart, etc.  HOWEVER, don't Freak out here!  If you are significantly Overweight, it affects BOTH!  

​4. Not being a Physician but having made it to 70, I suspect You aren't supposed to weigh 240 at 5'9"!  What happens is in our Teens, Twenties, 30's, our Veins and Arteries are VERY FLEXIBLE!  Around 40, if we've "Lived the Life", they tend to lose some of this elasticity!  You notice I said "some".

​So what do you do to make it to 70 and beyond?  

Get Your weight "close" to the correct BMI - which varies according to ones' Age and Sex.  (Google BMI Calculations).

"Slow as You Go" and "For the Long Term".

​At your current weight, You can easily lose 2 lbs a week without starving yourself. Matter of fact, if you're A Beer Drinker, cutting your intake by half will probably do it!  LOL!  Once you get below 200, a lb. per week will become easy without feeling deprived.

​Sweets (Pure Sugar) follow closely behind Beer/Alcohol in making it very hard to lose weight.  But there again, at 39 you should have no Problem.

I can almost assure you your GP is going to insist on putting you on BP Meds until you get some of the weight off and your BP down to a relatively acceptable number.

​Knowing this, prepare to put your "Anxiety" on hold for a while!  It is RARE when the first BP Med works without unacceptable Side effects.  I've known People to go through 8 before finding one that works, has minimal side effects such as Malaise, etc. (If a Med makes you so lethargic you can't exercise, you will find yourself unable to eventually get off the BP Med!) What I'm saying here is don't hesitate to continually tell your GP if a BP Med is causing unwanted Side effects!  He or She is accustomed to 2, 4, 6 and more changes!

​Your BP is very Important as it affects not only your Vascular System but your Kidneys, your Liver and other Organs.  And you don't want to go there.

​Lastly, based on your Post, You're "Obsessing"!  DON'T Take your BP 8 - 10 times a Day.  After seeing your GP, You will probably wish to take it about 4 times a day to see how it's working BUT, know up front, it oftentimes takes 4 - 8 Weeks to see Consistent BP readings and Results!

​Finally, if you do suffer from constant Obsessiveness, ask your GP to send you to a Cardiologist for a Stress Test, Ultra Sound of your Heart and whatever else the Cardiologist recommends.  That, at minimum, will put your mind at ease!

I'm confident you'll be doing Great in a Few Months!

Good Luck and God Bless!

​Ernie

 

4

Hey brother how are you feeling now??? I have the same issue now. I’m 35 and discover that I have HBP Just last week after a 164/94reading!!! I change my eating habits like more leafy vegetables/ fruits/ fish / herbal tea and lots of water. Today my BP reading is 146/88.. still high but see some improvement.. my family doctor will monitor me for a month before he decide If he will give me meds