Blood pressure high out the blue - worried

[Louise123uk]

Hi, I went to the doc this morning for something very routine and the nurse took my blood pressure as a routine thing and it was something mad like 145/118 and she actually got a different monitor out as she thought the first might be broken! I am 40 and don't have the best diet, probs about a stone heavier than my ideal weight and I drink alcohol so I am scared Ive done awful damage! She has given me a monitor and said I have to test 4 times a day for a week and go back and mentioned potentially putting me on meds... She said they would need to do a blood test first though if they are putting me on meds to check organ function and since I drink alcohol I'm scared this could mean I have heart, liver or kidney disease... I do tend to do what you could probs term binge drinking a couple of times a week (so like more than 3 drinks sometimes).

Last night it was a friends birthday so we had pizza and drank quite a bit so I know this may have affected the readings (I was a tad hungover this morn). Could this have had an effect as i dont think my blood pressure has been this bad before at the docs. I also have white coat syndrome quite badly which I told her about but she didn't seem convinced. So so scared that I might have some kind of heart, kidney or liver disease if I do have high blood pressure this young and she seemed surprised and implied there must be some underlying cause if i have it at this age... Since getting home i have tested loads and it has fluctuated loads though never as high as what it was in the surgery or as low as normal - lowest since getting home was 124/84 and highest 138/107... I'm just beside myself...

@hashbrownsandwich thank you. I'll be sure to have a look at all of those - thanks

@Peterpiperspickledpepper but look at it this way - if you have hypertension you're still way better off if you've lived a healthy lifestyle. Could have been even worse without!

I had really high blood pressure- 162/113 etc. Took it after having sudden nose bleeds two days running and my partner said I should get it checked, went to the doctor and she started me immediately on 10mgs of Ramipril. Had it before, during and after pregnancy too to a lesser extent. Drinking less helps, less salty food, exercise and weight loss. Some people are just genetically pre-disposed as well. It's good that you've found out and that you can monitor it to be honest.

I have been on medication for high blood pressure for over 20 years now. I've done all the lifestyle things to try to lower it naturally, but nothing works except the tablets. Due to family medical history, I'm also on statins and aspirin now. I'm pleased to report that I suffer no side effects from the medication. Try not to worry, difficult I know, but millions of people have to take tablets to control blood pressure, and you might be one of them.

I've had high blood pressure since 35 brought on by pregnancy. After my second pregnancy which ended in a loss I've been unable to get off medication. I've just turned 39 and I'm likely to stay on the medication so for me it's not due to diet and exercise and it runs in my family. Lifestyle changes never hurt though. If you do need to be medicated it's not the end of the world. High blood pressure is so common and it's not really an issue if it's well managed.

Take an average over a few weeks. Everyone's goes up and down depending on what we are doing. My husband's always goes up loads at drs.
Make small changes in life style over a period of time. A new change each month.

1st month cut down on drinking by at least half. Find an non alcoholic drink you really enjoy. I stopped drinking at home and when I go out I have 1 glasses of wine I really enjoy them swap to ginger beer with lots of ice and a slice.

2nd month make a few dietary changes, increase your fibre intake add in a few more fruit and veg. Swap some processed food out for something else.

Month 3. Do an extra exercise session every week.

Small changes