High Blood Pressure; Am I doomed to have it as well??

[Back2Back]

I am the youngest (36) of 4. The two oldest have high blood pressure, and the 3rd one is bordering. He is 40.

Is this my fate as well?

I am not "overweight", never have been, I do not eat a high sodium diet, in fact I don't even have salt in the house. I got my most recent blood work a couple of months ago and I am below all the number ranges that are considered acceptable, so blood sugar, cholesterol, pressure etc. So far everything is in check. However I got into a debate with my brother about this over the weekend. He got diagnosed with HBP about 4 years ago. He is very fit. He runs 10km a week, he bikes to work and he goes to the gym. Since he got diagnosed, he dropped alot of weight. (I personally think he is too thin, he's about 160 and is 5'11). He never was overweight too begin with. Anyways, he has been trying everything too get his BP down naturally. I think this is a sore spot with him because he has taken such good care of himself all his life. Our mother also has HBP. We don't know if our father did. My brother is very adamant in telling me that no matter what I do know, it does not matter, chances are I am going to get it probably by 40. Currently my BP averages around 110 -118 over 70-80. I am 5'6 and 150.

Anyone have thoughts on this topic?

[sallyseachange]

I believe there is a hereditary factor to high B/P (pls correct me if I'm wrong anyone)... but I wouldn't worry about it before time, as your numbers seem good. If I were you, I'd just try to stay healthy and keep your weight down. Those Atkineers who had high B/P before low carbing, usually report improved blood pressure numbers on this diet...

(Just my thoughts as I'm no expert at all)

[Back2Back]

Originally Posted by sallyseachange

....Those Atkineers who had high B/P before low carbing, usually report improved blood pressure numbers on this diet...

hmmm...yes this is true however, if you were overweight to begin with, chances are your HBP came from the weight issue so loosing the weight thus corrected the problem. Maybe I should tell my brother to gain 100 pounds and then lose it??

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by Back2Back

hmmm...yes this is true however, if you were overweight to begin with, chances are your HBP came from the weight issue so loosing the weight thus corrected the problem. Maybe I should tell my brother to gain 100 pounds and then lose it??

Oh wow! Now that would be a novel new treatment for sure!!!!

[hubbys_girl]

Well, from my cardiologists opinion, HBP is deffinately hereditary. However like any other health risk, you are in control of the contributing factors. Such as exercise diet and the like. If you are going to develop HBP, then you are, if not then great. But if you minimize the things in your WOL that will increase your chances of HBP then you are ahead of the game. Your readings look great now. Just test regularly and stay in touch with your Dr.

BTW, your brother may have a sore spot about HBP, but you might want to remind him that stressing about it, or getting overly annoyed can only make it worse!

[HighBloodPressure]

Originally Posted by Back2Back

I am the youngest (36) of 4. The two oldest have high blood pressure, and the 3rd one is bordering. He is 40.

Is this my fate as well?

Anyone have thoughts on this topic?

Two thoughts:

Buy the inexpensive but easy to read book titled, " High Blood Pressure for dummies" written by a medical doc in San Francisco. It explains everything you ask accurately. I even went to see him as a second opinion for my hypertension.

Second, although you might be family prone to hypertension (as explained in his book), exercise does an amazing job of keeping it down. I get lazy like everyone... but I take readings four times daily & when it inches up in the afternoon, I know I have a choice to treadmill or not. If I only treadmill x 30 mins on a low incline / nearly flat & pace at 3.5 mph... enough to have a sweat.... I not only feel better but my b/p stays normal for the rest of the day & night. The hard part is just accepting that I have no choice. Its either that or 24/7 damage to my inner organs.

Plus the exercise burns about 250 calories... not enough to make you really hungry... but enough to show up on your weight charting on FitDay which I also use.