Wanting to know if there's an official test to know if someone needs medicine for high blood pressure?

Question

I do not have medical insurance and the other day when I was donating plasma my blood pressure was 160/80 which I've never had it been a problem before, I'm only 19 years old.

before saturday it had been over a month since I checked my blood pressure last then I checked it again sunday and it was 166/80 staying consistent.

I'm in the process of talking to a doctor I shadowed for the summer to see what he thinks but I can't help but worry about it. I bought some fish oils and magnesium to possibly help lower it but wanting to know as well so I can expect if I need to find money for medication .

Answer 1

Michael J is wrong. A young age is no reason not to treat hypertension, unless you want to die at a younger age of course.  What it does mean that you have a greater likelihood of secondary hypertension such as renal artery stenosis, pheochromocytoma, or Conn syndrome.

Fish Oil is more for hypertriglyceridemia, not hypertension. But keep taking it, it is still good for you. You do need to get insurance and get evaluated, because your blood pressure is high enough to be considered stage II hypertension, and there is no stage III.

But the answer to your question is yes, the official test is a simple blood pressure reading. Three readings on three separate occasions.

Answer 2

There could have been a number of reasons why your blood pressure was high on that day. A Dr will not put you on medication for hypertension without at least 2 independant readings of a high blood pressure. This is because your blood pressure does not constantly stay the same, it varies with mood, exercise, stress, etc.

160/80 is not drastically high and the fact that you are a healthy 19 year old with a generally normal BP would probably mean that you do not need medication. Most hypertension medications are given for life so are generally not considered till much later in life.

Answer 3

Take your blood pressure several times log it and show it to your doctor.  

Answer 4

Troy is right about Micheal being wrong, and he is right about your blood pressure.  If it's high it's high.  There are reasons it might be high.  At your age they need to look into "white coat hypertension".  That's when you get nervous every time you get you pressure measured in a medical setting.  Get a blood pressure monitor from a local pharmacy and check your readings at home.  What about your relatives?  Does your mother, father, or siblings have hypertension?  If so, then you may just have the unlucky fate of having bad genetics.  Don't feel bad.  I run, bike, swim, kickbox, lift weights, eat healthy, etc.. and I still developed hypertension.  Both my parents have hypertension.  Such is life.  

Still at age 19 I would definitely make sure they check out any secondary causes of hypertension.  If not is found then it's lifestyle changes and possibly medicine for you.  Don't worry there as well, as the medicine can make you feel run down at first but you body adapts well.  You probably won't know you are taking anything once you adapt. Also, many cheap blood pressure medicines exist and have been on the market forever and a day.  This means that not only is the safety profile well known they have generics and are cheap.  Just stay away from the newer brand name combination products.  They are often simply older, cheaper versions of cheap individual products.