23 with high blood pressure/enlarge heart/heart murmur

[tcriss]

Ok...So I'm a 23 year old male in great shape, but for the last 2 years or so i've been diagnosed with high blood pressure. I just now have started taking this seriously although have been to the doctor a few times regarding this but always just put me on a pill and have not done to much to get to the bottom of the problem, therefore making me feel as if its not big deal. well I know it is and now want to make sure i find out whats wrong. I went to the doctor today and found out that my heart may be a little enlarged and that i have a heart murmur along with a blood pressure of 140/97. I've been feeling a tightness in my eyes (prob. due to the BP) and a tightness in my chest, like you feel when you are stressed or dealing with anxiety. Tomorrow I was very impressed with the doctor I visited, and tomorrow I'm going to get my blood work done to further investigate this problem.

ALSO, I have a severely deviated septum due to wrestling that occurred in high school, maybe 5 years ago, give or take, I was wandering if that would have anything to do with whats happening here, because i know you are supposed to breathe through your nose, and i often breathe through my mouth. When I breathe through my nose its not as full of a breathe as it should probably be. I often have to take a deep breathe to calm myself and slow my heart, or make it stop beating hard. My pulse is around 70 on average. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it so much! thanks!

TC

[tcriss]

thanks for responding, I actually am 5'9" 160 good shape i would say. I'll post again on monday after  I talk with my doctor about the blood work that I took today and see what he says.

[Jerry_NJ]

TC,

Clearly you must get your BP down, it may be at the root of the enlargement of your heart, it surely isn't helping.  Enlargement of the heart can cause other problems such as atrial fibrillation and flutter, which you'd be better off not to have.  

I assume you doctor will take an ecocardiogram of you heart, that will give accurate details on chamber sizes, valve operation, and pumping efficiency.  This will tell you where you are, and at your age it may well be that getting the BP down is all you need.

You didn't mention you weight, and I'm not asking, but I echo the advice that being overweight has many health negatives, including contributing to high BP.