18 with high blood pressure

[celestw]

Hi, i’m 18 years old and i have had high blood pressure since i was a kid, it runs in my family and my parents and brothers all have it, i’m taking 10mg of amlodipine right now and honestly it doesn’t seem to be working, i started taking 10mg about 2 weeks ago, but i was taking 5mg before, i started 5mg on August 24(?) and my blood pressure was still high and thats why my doctors raised my dosage, anyways it’s been about 2 and a half weeks since 10mg and it’s still not good it’s been between 130/70 and 140/80 even on medication, i’m at a healthy weight(150lb) i eat low sodium, i try to stay under 1,500 mg a day, i exercise regularly, i try to manage my stress, i try everything in the book and it’s not working, i’m not sure if it’s too early cuz i haven’t been taking it for that long. i’ve been having extensive tests done since childhood and the doctors never found anything wrong with my heart, i don’t know, maybe amlodipine isn’t the right medication for me but, it makes me really frustrated and honestly depressed how i’m so young and am facing this problem, and how i’m trying so hard and still getting bad results,,,it makes me afraid to get older bc i see all these scary things about having high blood pressure,,,and i’m so young it makes me sad, does anyone have any advice or tips

[Happyrosie]

Hello celestw.

I’ve a few thoughts for you to take on board.

Firstly, when your blood pressure is taken, is this when you are calm and have rested for at least ten minutes? Take three slow deep breaths before each reading, with no talking.

You sound a little stressed - not surprising, but this does put your pressures up! Bit of a vicious circle - bp up equals anxiety up so your bp is up........ and so it goes on.

Do you know anyone in your family who’s had high bp for a long time and who is well? If they can do it, so can you!

The website of the charity Blood Pressure UK give you lots of information and tips, do get stuck into to find out more.

[celestw in reply to Happyrosie]

thanks! i never thought of resting and breathing for 10 minutes i kinda just go right into it, i also have anxiety about taking blood pressure and i get really nervous haha

Thank you, my dad has actually had it since he was my age, i never thought of it like that, thank so much!

[springcross in reply to celestw]

Hi celestw. I have high BP too and in runs in my family also. One of my older sisters had it for many years and no matter what she took, nothing would control it. I also get anxious when I am about to take my BP and have to sit quietly for a while beforehand. Happyrosie has given some good advice, you will probably find it helps a lot. Good luck. xx

[cuore]

Eighteen is young indeed. A family history of high blood pressure is genetic.

So, let me address your depression. I would suggest you research about high blood pressure. You are on top of your life style. Another step is to understand the meds you are prescribed. Learn about the different classes of blood pressure meds and what each one is supposed to do.

Read up on the specific drug you are prescribed. A good site is drugs.com.

Another point is to read the differences between monotherapy and combo therapy. In monotherapy, the dosage of ONE drug is increased whereas in combo therapy low doses of drugs are combined. You are on monotherapy. Is one treatment better than the other?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, cardiologist in the U.K. has put out a You Tube about high blood pressure and not to be "hung up" on the numbers. It's worth watching.

In your research look up foods that are especially helpful for hypertension, such as celery.

Especially read about trials being done to better treat blood pressure -- the latest ones.

When doing research, a lot pops up which can be outdated, so type 2020 in the address bar.

What I'm trying to convey is to channel that depression energy into gaining knowledge energy where your mind will be too busy to be depressed.

Work with your GP, and don't be afraid to challenge him about your treatment based on the literature (stuff and trials you have read). In other words,take control of your blood pressure: don't let it control you. Let your heart soar to the skies. You have so much life ahead of you. Take it and enjoy!

[Sphygmogirl90]

Hypertension runs in my family as well. All the women on my mother's side have hypertension. I was diagnosed at age 16. I am 29 and have been struggling with resistant hypertension ever since.