High blood pressure concern - Holter results

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hello doctors,

I apologize for asking you stuff I should ask my primary care physician, but I’m under the impression recommendations for things like this (and, even more than this, nutrition) are constantly changing, and old assumptions are wrong 80% of the time. I live in Italy, where the current generation of doctors doesn’t even speak English… how could they be up to date with the new information?
That said, I’d be grateful if you could give me your opinion on the following.

Out of concern for possibly high blood pressure, I took a 24h Holter test.

Here are my stats

  1. male
  2. caucasian
  3. 26 years old
  4. 5 Feet, 10.87 Inches
  5. 168 pounds (and currently gaining weight in a somewhat aggressive manner)
  6. 33-inch waist
  7. diet: whole wheat bread/pasta, tomato puree, olive oil, ground beef, salmon, milk, oranges/strawberries
  8. strength training 4 days a week, cardio 1 day a week (I like jogging. 6 km.)Here are the Holter results
  9. Total average: 135/78
  10. Day: 135/79
  11. Night: 134/74

Is my blood pressure too high for my age? Should I take steps to reduce it? How? Thanks in advance.

2

Chemist,

Looks like you underwent 24 hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the results do indeed indicate your blood pressure is elevated, as normal is 120mmHg systolic or less.

Save for any congenital (e.g. reduced nephron #) or genetic causes, the following may help reduce blood pressure:

  1. Correcting sleep apnea if present
  2. Reducing sodium intake
  3. Increasing conditioning work to meet physical activity guidelines
  4. Abstaining from tobacco use
  5. Reduce alcohol intake
  6. Reduce body fat if overweight

We would also STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST rapid weight gain.

-Jordan

1 Like
3

I can’t comment on your plan, as I’m unfamiliar with your medical history and exam. I would recommend talking to your doctor on management here as well as the workup for an underlying issue. This is pretty standard management.