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Original poster

Why is my blood pressure through the roof when I'm young and healthy?

20 replies

ButtercupBluebells · 16/09/2022 20:03

I took my blood pressure as part of my pill check yesterday, and was a bit shocked at how high it was. I have spoken to the GP and have been asked to record it 4x per day over the weekend and they will see me on Tuesday. The readings are consistently high, averaging around 165/100 (at one point 176/117). I was told to go to A&E if it exceeds 180/120, and I'm very conscious that my readings are not far off that.

I'm wondering what might be causing this - does anyone know/have experience? I'm 31, rarely drink, never smoked, healthy weight and good diet. It seems really strange, especially as my blood pressure has always been well within normal range before. I'm worried that something is seriously wrong :(

OP posts:

lljkk · 16/09/2022 20:06

Could be a million things but most of them are fixable or treatable. Great it's been observed & is being investigated, can't ambush you now.

Notjusta · 16/09/2022 20:06

Is a faulty machine a possibility? Can't tell from your post if you've taken readings on different ones?

flossletsfloss · 16/09/2022 20:07

Probably because you are on the pill. Some people just can't tolerate it. I am one of those and my sisters are too. The pill sends it sky high every time I try to go back on it.

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Original poster

ButtercupBluebells · 16/09/2022 20:14

Thanks all. I bought a new machine this afternoon so it's not that. I have been on the pill for years, but did change it about a year ago and this is the first reading I've done since. So it probably (hopefully) is that.
I will try not to worry, that will only make it worse!

OP posts:

RaisinforBeing · 16/09/2022 20:28

I was taken off the pill as that happened to me too.

PauliesWalnuts · 16/09/2022 20:32

How much exercise do you do? I noticed that mine dropped significantly when I did a really long hike at the weekend (so 10ish miles) rather than a 4 mile walk several times a week. Mileage dropped but it seemed to be the endurance element that made a difference for me.

fortheloveofflowers · 16/09/2022 20:34

Are you taking it after you’ve been sat down for 5 mins?
before you’ve had any caffeine/alcohol/cigarettes?

dontgobaconmyheart · 16/09/2022 20:35

Are the readings consistently high or fluctuating? I would aim to provide the GP with a range of readings. I do 24hr BP tests with an attached device quite often, albeit for a failingly low BP rather than too high and it is best to record as much data as you can for the GP and especially if you ended up needing to visit A&E (take the data with you if you do!) eg:

-Varying but consistent times of the day AM (just after you get out of bed) and PM (before bed), before and after any form of exercise, before or after a meal (record what it was), lying down at rest and then standing, and any occasion you have symptoms also record that.

Tuesday will come along quickly and I would keep an eye at set times and when needed but try not to worry. If you drink caffeine then I would give that a break and avoid high salt foods until you know more.

165/100 is stage 2 hypertension, as is your highest reading of 176/117 so obviously if the readings remain high further investigation is needed. All I would say is to make sure to call 111 if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, nose bleeds, a strong headache. All are to be expected with a high BP (though not everyone will be symptomatic) but 111 are there if you need them OP, as are A&E so as long as you are monitoring things and the GP is happy then I would try to relax as best you can and see what the readings look like over the next day or so.

fortheloveofflowers · 16/09/2022 20:37

There’s normally a secondary cause for hypertension in those under 40.

CKS list these, is there any family history of any of them?

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypertension/background-information/secondary-causes-of-hypertension/

AndTwoFilmsByFrancoisTruffaut · 16/09/2022 20:58

Always take your readings when you are well rested. Preferably when you wake up / haven’t got out of bed. I listen to classical music and close my eyes when I take mine. Always makes a significant difference to the readings. At home BP is low / ideal. At the hospital, it’s often on the ‘normal’ to slightly higher side. White coat syndrome 🤷🏻‍♀️

TooHotToTangoToo · 16/09/2022 21:04

Sit down a dm relax for 10 mins the take it.

Also, cut down in caffeine and salt intake

MrsSkylerWhite · 16/09/2022 21:05

Possibly White Coat Syndrome? Gets me every time.

KangarooKenny · 16/09/2022 21:06

Does it run in your family ?

FernGilly · 16/09/2022 21:08

i recommend beetroot juice

purpleme12 · 16/09/2022 21:33

I got high blood pressure at 34.
However I'm quite sure I actually had it undetected for years before then as I had migraines which stopped as soon as I started taking blood pressure tablets.
No one's told me a cause for mine so I don't know.
Mine was 200 over something quite a lot when I did the 24 hour thing and also when I took it myself sometimes. No one told me to go to A&E and I'm sure it must have been that high for quite a while thinking about it.
I'm ok

purpleme12 · 16/09/2022 21:33

Watchthesunrise · 16/09/2022 21:40

Being dehydrated can give you high blood pressure. Do you drink enough water?

Why? When you're dehydrated, your kidneys reabsorb water as opposed to passing it in urine. High concentrations of vasopressin can also cause your blood vessels to constrict. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

MamMedusa · 16/09/2022 21:49

I had the exact same thing happen 2 years ago. I ended up with a 48 hour BP monitor and the readings after the first couple of hours all came back normal.
My GP said it was something called white coat syndrome where your BP goes up through the stress of you knowing it's being checked.
Every appointment I've had since it's still been very high, but I was admitted to hospital in Feb and again after a few hours, once I'd settled on the ward, the readings all came back completely normal.

blackheartsgirl · 16/09/2022 21:58

Like a pp I had hbp in my mid 30s and I’d probably had it for years before that as I had migraines etc

with me it was found to be hereditary and I’ve been on blood pressure meds since and I can’t take the pill any more

NanooCov · 16/09/2022 22:04

Have you had Covid? My DH's blood pressure went crazy after having covid and we've since heard of others it's happened to. He was otherwise fit and healthy and thankfully all has returned to normal now following a bit of monitoring from the GP.

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