Re: High blood pressure question

bolt thrower wrote:
>
> Hello everyone.
>
> I recently was told by a doctor that I may have hypertension and I've got
> a few questions about possible causes.

In 90-95% of cases, there is no identifiable cause. This is termed
**essential** hypertension.

> A little background. I am a 28-year-old male, presently attending a law
> enforcement academy. I have 2 hours of physical exercise a day, including
> running (several miles at a time), calesthenics, etc. I eat three times a
> day at an on-site cafeteria, and while the food served is not exactly
> homemade, its not pre-packaged, freeze-dried either. I am not entirely
> certain as to the salt content of the food served. Outside of the
> cafeteria I eat a lot of apples, bananas, and nuts (lightly salted because
> its all I can get at the local stores).
>
> I take Claritin-D for allergies, and was told that this may contribute to
> higher blood pressure.

It will elevate the BP of someone with essential hypertension.

> In addition, I drink a protein shake each morning,
> consuming on average 125-150g of protein a day (I usually eat chicken,
> cottage cheese, salads, pork, beef, and whatever other lean foods I can
> get). I only mention this because my mother's doctor told her high
> protein diets can elevate high blood pressure (my mother has been under
> treatment for hypertension for several years).

Overeating can elevate the BP of someone with essential hypertension
largely because of associated weight gain.

> Right now I am also taking 1600g of ibuprofin a day to treat shin splints,
> along with the occassional Tylenol for the pain.

NSAIDs like ibuprofen can elevate the BP of someone with essential
hypertension largely because of associated sodium retention.

> I take a multivitamin a
> day, along with 2000g of VitC, glucosamine, and minocycline (for acne). I
> usually have four to five cups of coffee a day and I drink a lot of water
> as well.
>
> The stress of the academy is very significant and I am told that stress
> can also be a factor leading to high blood pressure.

Stress can raise the BP of someone with essential hypertension.

> I have never had problems like this before, and I am trying to figure out
> if my blood pressure is being elevated due to stress, diet, medications,
> any combination of the three, or other factors entirely. High blood
> pressure does run in my family, although everyone who has been diagnosed
> with it has been in their early 50s first.

The environmental factors can bring out the predisposition to have
essential hypertension earlier in life.

> I am completely new to hypertension and am trying to get a better idea of
> what could be causing it in my case, as well as what I can do to help
> lower it.

Lifestyle changes do work to help lower BP for someone with essential
hypertension but there should be doctor supervision. Medications may be
needed prior to the lifestyle changes taking hold.

> Presently I am forgoing taking any medications or drinking coffee for a
> few days. I am going to get my blood pressure checked again after a few
> days to see if it drops. Hopefully then I can begin slowly pinpointing
> exactly what is causing it.

Again, you should be seeing a doctor about whether medications are
needed.

> Thanks for any suggestions or advice.

You are welcome to the above information :-)

At His service,

Andrew

--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist

**
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