Suggest Treatment For Elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure

Posted on Sun, 11 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 11 Oct 2015 Answered on

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : In the past year and a half I've been struggling with high diastolic blood pressure.. ranging usually from 90 - 100. I'm 36 years old and have had no prior high blood pressure problems. The year before the first incident of it reading high it was measured at 112/73. Is this normal for diastolic blood pressure to increase significantly in one years time? Typical readings now are 135/95 to 140/100. My current doctor doesn't seem concerned. I would like to ease my worries by knowing it's normal for blood pressure to increase so significantly in one year. Since that first high reading it has been consistently high.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I read your question and understand your concern.

You should know that it is not uncommon to have isolated high diastolic blood (IDH)pressure in young persons. This type of hypertension is more common in young persons than in older persons.

From different studies it has been concluded that if the systolic blood pressure is <140 mmHg, a high diastolic pressure is not associated with an adverse prognosis.

So there is no need for treatment, especially in patients younger than 40 years.

I agree with your doctor at this point.

However, it cannot be said that IDH is harmless, since it is possible that a younger adult with IDH may convert to systolic hypertension with increasing age.

IDH was more frequent among persons a higher BMI.

So you should try to lose weight.

A reduce in salt intake could be helpful too.

A lot of physical exercise, walking, aerobics, etc, would help maintain a normal blood pressure and prevent systolic blood pressure from raising.

Hope to have been helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!

Best regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (54 minutes later)

Thank you so much. You've eased my mind considerably. My Doctor wants me to follow up in one year... at that time he will consider medication if the systolic is high.. while continuing to take home measurements and come back to see him sooner if they increase. Also asked that I lose 10 lbs to get to correct BMI.
The worry of my blood pressure probably doesn't help my situation. It came as such a shock to see the bottom number so high so suddenly and has been a stress to me since. I began physical activity (brisk walking at least 30 mins per day or every other day) since I found out about this in March 2014. It has been a blessing in disguise as I now feel so much better due to the exercise, however, I still worry about that bottom number and get a wave of nervousness when I take my blood pressure at home.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I recommend a periodically scheduled follow up to monitor your situation

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

I understand your concern and would reassure you that there is nothing to worry about.

As I explained before, based on different studies, there is no need for treatment in your actual situation, especially at your age.

I agree with all your doctors advises.

The periodically scheduled follow up is necessary to check is every thing is OK, and identify possible progression to high systolic blood pressure.

If your blood pressure will raise, despite physical activity, diet modifications and weight loss, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of starting an antihypertensive therapy.

Some tests are needed to exclude other possible causes of secondary hypertension:

- resting ECG
- chest x ray study
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes, cortisol and aldosteron plasma levels and fasting glucose).

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar