My 16 year old son has high blood pressure, please give me your sugestion to get rid of this

I was shocked...my son is 5 8 he weighs 198 but he plays footbal and he wrestles..he has been an athlet all of his life...he went for his physical for wrestling and his bp was 144/80, I was in shock to find this out because I always thought he was in good health. His doctor is not sure if he can still wrestle she has to check with a cardiologist.... my question is...do you think that is a high reading and have you ever heard of a healthy teenager having high blood pressure..I know his weight is high but he is all muscle...like 5% body fat.

Asked by: joost On : Sat, 19 Dec 2009

Answers: 2 Views: 1179

Celeste Goodwin

I just saw your posting. I am a mother who has a son that was also diagnosed with high blood pressure due to renal artery stenosis. My son's experiences has prompted me to create a national foundation for pediatric hypertension. Please visit our website at www.bloodpressure4kids.org. If you are on Facebook, there is also a page on there as well. Our main website has a link for you to send a friend request. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. This is a condition that is affecting more and more children. Unfortuntaely it is going undiagnosed all too often. Please feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions for you.

Celeste

arnold

Most cases of hypertension (HTN) do occur in healthy people and all of us see and treatment pre teen and teenagers with HTN. An elevated blood pressure (BP) reading is not the same as having HTN as such readins are common. The diagnosis of HTN is usually based upon 3 readings at monthly intervals and I prefer that these be taken at home shortly after waking up. In that setting #s above 115/065 should be brought to the attention of a physician.