Is my blood pressure really THAT high ?

Question

My blood pressure at the doctor's today was 142 over 84. That was not after sitting for five minutes as recommended, but right after I sat down after briskly walking through the office, down the hallway for weighing, and then immediately had my blood pressure taken.

The doctor wants me to take HCTZ. I think I can regulate it with diet and exercise. I have been eating badly and not excercising for 6-8 months. I'm 33 years old, male, and weigh 265 lbs. I plan to lose 30-40 lbs in the next 6 months.

Is the prescription really necessary or should I focus on a healthy lifestyle first? Some of the side effects of the drug sound worse than the high blood pressure.

Answer 1

Its borderline...ie: at the lowest level of high if you get what I mean!...your doc is probably being cautious and yes as you lose weight and exercise a bit your BP should drop then you can probably stop the meds.

Answer 2

if this is the only time your BP has been high you can try the diet and exercise for a month or so, but keep check on BP, but if it's been high before you need to take the med, it is a mild medication and still do the other healthy things you are planning. untreated high BP causes kideny failure, heart attackes, strokes and blindness

Answer 3

Most likely the HCTZ is not a high dose, it is only a diuretic and wont harm you.  I understand that you think you can regulate it yourself with diet but he is looking at the picture that you are overweight, your BP is elevated and it needs to get under control now.  I would take the meds and as you start losing the weight, go back and he will re check your BP and could take you off your meds.  Diuretics are not that harmful in small doses,the benefits outweigh the risks.  If you drink water, you will not notice side effects.