Is a blood pressure of 135/60 mm Hg in an individual worrisome?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a checkup today with a new doctor, and I have not had a general checkup in about a decade. I am a 37-year-old male, height 6 feet 2 inches, and weighing 163 pounds. I am a non-smoker, drink once or twice per week, and eat a fine but definitely not the perfect diet. I exercise regularly and run about 62 miles per month, cycling close to that, and do some weight training from time to time. I do stress myself out a bit too much about daily life; I was surprised to learn from the nurse who did my blood pressure reading that my blood pressure was at 135/60 mm Hg. She told me I was a bit high but right on the border of normal.

Later, when I saw the doctor, he looked at it and told me not to worry. He said that it was fine and seemed normal to him. Frankly, I was a bit surprised at the reading. I feel pretty healthy, and I figured that with the exercise, I was doing fine. I also did not know anything about blood pressure readings before this, and anything I know is what I have read since this afternoon. I have ordered a home blood pressure monitor so I can check it regularly to see if this was a one-off or if there is something actually concerning here. I am curious about your opinions on this. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Good to hear that you are following an active lifestyle, which is good for your health. According to studies and medical guidelines, your systolic blood pressure is slightly on the higher side. However, with age, there can be some stiffness in vessels, so it may cause some rise in systolic pressures. Anyway, you should monitor it for a week (every day twice ) and keep a record, then observe how it is because one reading is not enough for diagnosis. A diastolic reading of 60 is also on the lower side, and it also needs to be monitored. Sometimes, we see high blood pressure readings in a clinic, and this is known as white coat hypertension because of stress or anxiety. You can do an ECG (electrocardiogram) or an ECHO (echocardiogram) and TMT (treadmill test) for a complete preventive evaluation of the heart.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.