Sunday, May 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 celio h asks

Q: Should a 55 year old man be on high blood pressure? my blood pressure is 130 over 80 doctors office

Iam a long distance runner, I do not smoke or drink. my weight is 155 pounds. I do have high anxiety not all the time. I get very nervous when I go to see the doctor.

Answer This
Answers (1)
Neil MD, Health Pro
8/13/08 7:40pm

Hello cello h,

 

That is not an impressively high blood pressure (hypertension in medical lingo).  And let me congratulate you on your healthy lifestyle choices!

 

130/80 is technically pre-hypertension, and some physician would not treat it with medication.  However, one elevated BP does not mean a person has hypertension; several elevated measures over separate visits are required to make the diagnosis.

 

There is a phenomenon called "white coat hypertension" or the "white coat effect" where patients who tend to be anxious, especially during medical examinations, have an elevation in blood pressure while in the doctor's office.  

 

To see if this is the case with you (because, certainly, a thin, long-distance runner is less likely to be hypertensive), I would suggest you invest in an automatic home blood pressure cuff and take your pressure on your own.  Record it at least three times a day for a month and then take those readings to your physician.  Then discuss with her whether or not you need to be on medication.

 

I would NOT stop taking your blood pressure medication without your doctor knowing.  Many blood pressure medications are prescribed for diagnoses other than high blood pressure!

 

To your health,

Neil MD

Reply
Answer This

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

By celio h— Last Modified: 04/02/11, First Published: 08/13/08