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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Increase In Blood Pressure?

I have recently had my blood pressure jump up from a regular and consistent 120/80 range to consistently 170-110. I have been put on a medication but see no changes yet. I have never had high blood pressure issues before. This suddenly started happening about 3 weeks ago and I have not had any diet or lifestyle changes. My doctors always seems to sidestep the question and it confuses me.

I am 31, 5'3", and 194lbs. My EKG is normal. I am currently not having any chest tightness, though I notice I am getting winded and tired easily. I know I need to lose weight, but my weight has been stable now for months. I have not changed anything recently, and am a stay at home aunt. I just cant understand why things would suddenly change so dramatically so quickly.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 21 Sep 2016 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 22 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
There is no single reason for hypertension. There will be many reasons that are called as risk factors. Risk factors for hypertension include lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, family history, smoking and others.
And you cannot attribute any sudden change in life style to hypertension. It's a chronic disease and it will develop over a period of time before it becomes apparent.
In your case, your body mass index(BMI) is around 34 and by definition more than 30 means obesity (mild). Ideally BMI should be less than 25.
Now 170/110 is pretty high blood pressure. You must treat it with medications and the aim is to bring it below 140/100 up to 120/80. Do NOT stop the medications prescribed to you. Please continue the medications with regular BP check up. If it's not going down, we can increase the dose or add another drug for control.
Apart from medications, you must also make lifestyle changes. Physical activity has to be increased and aim for BMI below 25 ideally or at least below 30. Follow strict diet and reduce the salt content in food. With lifestyle changes and medications, you can keep your blood pressure under normal range.
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What Causes Increase In Blood Pressure?

There is no single reason for hypertension. There will be many reasons that are called as risk factors. Risk factors for hypertension include lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, family history, smoking and others. And you cannot attribute any sudden change in life style to hypertension. It s a chronic disease and it will develop over a period of time before it becomes apparent. In your case, your body mass index(BMI) is around 34 and by definition more than 30 means obesity (mild). Ideally BMI should be less than 25. Now 170/110 is pretty high blood pressure. You must treat it with medications and the aim is to bring it below 140/100 up to 120/80. Do NOT stop the medications prescribed to you. Please continue the medications with regular BP check up. If it s not going down, we can increase the dose or add another drug for control. Apart from medications, you must also make lifestyle changes. Physical activity has to be increased and aim for BMI below 25 ideally or at least below 30. Follow strict diet and reduce the salt content in food. With lifestyle changes and medications, you can keep your blood pressure under normal range.