On blood pressure meds at 42

[Thisistemporary]

Just wondering if anyone can relate. I have started taking medication for high blood pressure after failing to bring it down with lifestyle measures. I really have tried very hard. Low salt/ high fibre diet, drinking beetroot juice, running 5k 2 or 3 times a week, low caffeine and alcohol, normal BMI. It seems to have been triggered by having preeclampsia 2 years ago and there is probably a genetic element as my dad has been on meds since his 40’s despite being a fit long distance runner at the time (though he is a bit of a stress head).

I just feel very worried to now have a chronic condition like this and am terrified about my heart health. I also feel like a failure for having it so young. I’m so worried I’m going to have a heart attack or stroke in my 40’s or 50’s while my daughter is still so young.

Anyone in a similar position?

My mums been on then since she was 35 and she is 85 now and fairly fit. My granny was roughly the same- she died at 87. Better on them if you need them than not. Genes play a big factor.

At my hospital have a hypertension clinic. They did my testing. Make sure you look after your kidneys. I'm 61 and have had high blood pressure for 20 years. Tried lots of meds. If one doesn't suit ask for a change.

Not on BP meds but am on beta blockers for my heart at 38. It's shit but if you're doing all the right things then it's obviously a genetic thing that can't always be helped

The risk is when it's not being treated / controlled imo. Dh was the same and really bad at taking the tablets regularly- that's not great.

How's your stress levels, apart from having a 2 year old

Yes, this is important, some medications, and some doses made me feel like a zombie. But once they were tweaked over a few months, I felt alive again

For me 140/92 would be amazing. I can be over 200/100.

I've been on the tiniest dose of Ramipril since I was 31. Total surprise diagnosis which was picked up during a contraceptive pill checkup. I have no other conditions, a healthy diet & BMI and an active lifestyle. I try not to worry too much, the 2.5mg has kept it at normal levels for the last four years. My family have all been on blood pressure meds from a very young age!

Completely normal, and you're taking the meds to prevent a stroke or heart attack.

My husband started taking the usual medication at age 40. Haven't really thought about it for years but, when he went for his annual check up at 60, he was told he probably doesn't need medication any more. Hilarious 😂

It's a myth (which seems to becoming more common) that things like high blood pressure are solely caused by bad diets, etc. Often disease and illness is genetic.

I've been on blood pressure meds for ten years, since I was 50. I'm on a low dose of three different tablets and they are working for me.

@Thisistemporary yes, I've seen a cardiologist and had heart scans and there's been no damage to my heart. The meds are doing what they need to do.

I was diagnosed with high blood pressure at 44. It is genetic. My dad went on BP meds in his 20s as did his sister and his cousins.

Every time I went in for tests I got the rolling refrain of ‘you’re not our average blood pressure patient’. I’m very fit and healthy, exercise most days, a size 10 and my cholesterol was very low. That did mean however that I had all the tests for kidney and heart issues to make sure it was genetic and not another condition. All came back clear.

It took a few gos to get my meds right, the first set made me feel absolutely awful and took 50% of my fitness away. I moved onto 20mg Lisinopril, after 10mg wasn’t enough, and I now feel back to full fitness and my BP averages 130 / 80. Too low and I fall over.

I’ve come to terms with the fact this is for life now and actually will help me stay well in the long term. That’s helped by the fact my dad is 75 and runs a parkrun in 32 minutes, having been on his BP meds for 50 years.

Mine was the highest at 25, I was skinny and fit. I’m now chubby and nearly 50 and my bp is fine with out the tablets. No logic

I was on 2 lots of tablets in my 20s. But when I became pregnant my bp went very low

I’m 40 and I’ve just been put on 5mg of Amlodipine. Despite not living a very healthy lifestyle (overweight, don’t exercise, etc), and my dad also having high blood pressure, I didn’t have any problems until I had pre eclampsia last year. My BP was fine a few weeks after my DC’s birth but seems to have gone a bit haywire recently. I have also been under a lot of stress. I’m hoping with some lifestyle changes and less stress I might kick the meds, but this thread is making me think this might just be the way it is now! I can sympathise though OP, I have developed excruciating health anxiety since turning 40.

Been on labetalol hydrochloride for 30 years, since I was 21 or so. Completely genetic, no risk factors from weight etc.
Only time I've ever been off them was when pregnant, which bizarrely brought my BP right down to normal.

OP I think you are looking at this the wrong way round and worrying unnecessarily. As a PP said the meds are to avoid future problems.

There is a strong genetic component. I have had high BP since early 20s - size 8, ate healthily, cutting out salt made no difference. Was put on meds in my 40s which bring mine down to 138/88. Had extensive kidney and heart checks shortly before this (as was having episodes of uncontrolled v high BP - 200/120) and no cause was found for the high BP and no damage.

As I see it, it’s good to be treated so it is under control.

Also be aware that if your BP reduces without explanation it can be a sign of heart failure, we had this with a family member and unfortunately the pharmacist told her to stop the BP tablets on the basis they were no longer needed and no one knew this should have been checked out by a doctor.

DH got picked up in his early 30s when he registered with a new GP and they sent him straight to A&E - his was something insane like 220/180! Has been on meds ever since, with regular health checks of kidneys, glucose etc and everything is fine, he's now 58. If you take the meds and follow a reasonably healthy lifestyle there shouldn't be a problem.

Mine was that high when I got picked up - part of a routine health check prior to getting a cataract sorted. And I had no symptoms whatsoever. Not a sausage. I'm probably still alive because someone whacked me in the eye when I was 13.

Yes. I’ve just started this year at 49. I’ve got a generic condition and tried to avoid them but was strongly advised to start by my Dr. If it reduces the chances of my kidneys deteriorating and means I’m around longer to be a parent then I’ll carry on.
Unlike you OP, I took my health for granted and am now a consistent gym goer now and am trying to making better eating choices.

I've had high blood pressure for decades, 3 different drugs and it was still on the high side
I saw something online about TMG for high blood pressure, researched it thoroughly and bought some, within 2 days it was a lot lower and is now in mid normal range