Do I need a second opinion on my HBP?

[linteater]

So I'm 28 years old, just finished a half-ironman triathlon, ran a marathon a year ago, and am generally very active.  I eat a vegetarian diet (at least 7 servings of fruits and veggies a day), don't drink, don't smoke, take my vitamins, etc.

But in the couple of years, my blood pressure has gone from about 104/70 to as high as 166/100 once at the Dr's office.  I don't want to get on blood pressure medication yet, and my doctor is willing to go along with that.  So I've been monitoring it at home, and started a very low sodium diet (about 1000 mg a day, although I'm concerned that's not enough since I exercise strenuously about an hour a day and know I'm sweating out a lot of salt, and recently I've been cramping more than often).  With all this, I am able to maintain it at about 130/90.  Occasionally it will dip below 120/80, but those days are sporadic.

As you can guess, I feel like something must be wrong.  I do have a family history of high blood pressure, but my parents are sedentary and eat ramen almost every day, so I'm sure at least some of their issues are environmental.  Also, I feel like I'm too young and active for this to be a problem already.

My doctor has not asked for an EKG or ECHO, but am wondering if I should ask for one, or go to another doctor, or is this something in how the cards are dealt?  Could there be something other than just "sodium sensitivity" and "family history" at play here?

[Rosemary349]

Is it worth considering that the exercise may play a part?  Generally exercise is considered good but maybe that type of exerices isn't good for your blood pressure?  Are you getting enough sleep?  What are your stress levels like?  Would relaxation or meditation help?  Have you tried these?

Cinnamon lowers bp apparently, it can be sprinkled on cereal....also beetroot is supposed to lower BP and it's effects last up to 24 hours, so i've heard.

Just curious that you've started to get the higher bp when at your physical peak, but wonder if you could change to less competitive sports, maybe martial arts or something that encourages attention to the stress management side also?  At the end of the day if your BP goes down wouldn't that be worth giving up the sport that you do?

Just a thought, others may think you should keep it up.  :-)

[kenkeith]

About 90–95% of cases are termed "primary hypertension", which refers to high blood pressure for which no medical cause can be found.[1] The remaining 5–10% of cases (Secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart, or endocrine system.[2]

With a family history of high blood pressure, the condition may be ideopathic primary hypertension (underlying cause unkown), and this occurs in about 90% HBP individuals.  Ruling out cardiovascular causes it can be related to the kidneys or endocrine system. Lipid levels are recognized as an underlying cause for vascular disease that would increase the resistance the heart pumps against and account for higher BP.  

Your blood pressure is not dangerously high.  It seems to me you are doing the right thing to help maintain the lowest pressure possible. I can understand your frustration and to be overly concerned may stress a higher level of bp.  

[linteater]

Thanks; it has been sustaining an average of around 130/90-ish for over an 8 month period.  I'm just frustrated because there's not much I can change as far as lifestyle to bring it back down, and I really don't want to get on medication.  

I feel like there has to be some sort of underlying cause, because I was in the best shape of my life (doing triathlons, running marathons) when it started going up.  When I was sedentary and not watching my diet was when it was the lowest.

My doctor did do a few blood tests and didn't find anything abnormal, other than extremely low cholesterol and low triglycerides, but I don't think that affects BP, does it?

[kenkeith]

An EKG or ECHO would not help as those tests would be appropriate if there has been damage to your system due to high blood pressure.  I have found that my blood pressure may run a little high for a while then go to normal or below for a while...don't know why..but I have read it is the average that provides a better evaulation. HBP to be harmful requires sustained high measurements.