Pre-Hypertensive Teenager

By 2boysmom Saturday, May 31, 2008

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My teenage son was recently diagnosed as having pre-hypertension. The doctor doesn't want to put him on any medication which we don't want either. We're trying to read about controlling his blood pressure with diet, but we're getting a little overwhelmed right now.

One problem he has is that he is very athletic, not over weight in the least, does not want to lose weight and would prefer to gain a few more pounds. Some of the diets we have read about would rather him use a vegetarian diet and most talk about how he should lose weight.

Do you know if there are good diets to control blood pressure where he could gain some weight?

Comments (4) | Add comment

Sue

6/ 1/08 10:45pm

Thanks so much for your post. I have a few suggestions that hopefully will assist you and your family in controlling th high blood pressure through diet.

First, you may want to review the various posts made to our site by members concerning diet and lowering blood pressure.

Additionally, in our Treatment section we have information on the DASH diet - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. There are other lifestyle choices that could also lend itself to helping your son:

Healthy lifestyle changes are an important first step for lowering blood pressure. Current guidelines recommend that people should:

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
Maintain normal weight
Reduce salt intake
Increase potassium intake
Limit alcohol consumption
Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products while reducing total and saturated fat intake. (The DASH diet is one way of achieving such a dietary plan.)

And though not specifically for HBP, you may consider reading our Heart-Healthy diet information with tips on a eating healthy for your heart as well as low cholesterol diet help.

Hope this helps and all the best, sue

Jackie

6/ 9/08 2:11pm

First and foremost, I think that it is really important for your son to have a strong support system, which I believe he has in you and your family. Next, I understand that he would like to maintain or even gain some weight for sports, but the most important factor in treating hypertension would be a healthy diet. Being a mother of two very active boys with high cholesterol, I've done some research into what would keep them healthy and provide them enough protein to gain some muscle mass. In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a study concluded that immunized milk can help reduce blood pressure and even cholesterol. In another study I found, it said that skim milk from immunized cows had a cholesterol-lowering effect as well. So I have been keeping my sons on a healthy veggie-filled, mostly chicken, and low fat diet, and encouraging them to drink skim milk. I also found some immunized skim-milk supplements that I put into their drinks and even in some cookies I would bake for them. I encourage them to eat things in moderation and always be active. They have never been happier. I hope this helps and good luck!

barbf

7/ 8/08 7:10pm

My 17 year old son has high bp and after much resistance is now on Hyzaar. He unlike your son is slightly overweight and we're working on losing the excess. Did you dr. check for other possibilities or does high bp run in your family. It is very upsetting at such a young age and I know exactly how you're feeling. If you want to chat further I can be reach at barbf157@optonline.net Good luck with all of this.

barbara

5/ 9/09 8:46pm

I just read your post. What was your son's BP. My son was diagnosed with HBP and his doctor put him on Hyzaar saying it must be controlled. I am very uncomfortable with him on this drug, but are more concerned about leaving it alone. He is in his first year of college and of course has gained weight with fast food and beer. Do you have any new info or advice regarding this and what is your doctor doing to control his BP. Hope you can chat with me more on this upsetting subject.

Thank you. Barbara

barbf157@optonline.net

Pre-Hypertensive Teenager

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