Comment by papasmrf | Hacker News Reader

Comment by papasmrf | Hacker News Reader

Of course we dont know why he died but I echo the sentiment that you need to be getting annual physicals and blood work to catch potential issues sooner rather than later.

A few years ago a nurse told me my blood pressure was a bit high but I didnt think it was that high to worry about so I never followed up on it. Then a few months ago I went for a dental check up where they checked my blood pressure and after a particularly chaotic morning the nurse told me my blood pressure was 220 over 150, which is crazy high blood pressure The dentist ended the appointment and told me very strongly to go straight to the doctor. When I got there my pressure had gone down to 150 / 90, but the doctor started me on a low dose of blood pressure medicine. It costs $5.00 per month, and who knows what health disaster was awaiting me had I not discovered this.

Even if you are relatively normal weight, in your 20s, and healthy, you could still have issues and not realize it until you have a check up.

My blood pressure hits 150/90 somewhat regularly (the local gym had an automated cuff which I use to measure it). When I was about 29 I was concerned enough to ask the specialist physician who I see for an unrelated chronic condition. He was concerned enough by my readings to order a 24 hour blood pressure study. He didn't start me on any drugs when the 24 hour study showed that my BP dropped overnight. Indeed, my medical aid (Heath insurance) also has a fairly high threshold for funding BP meds as a chronic condition. I still see the doctor regularly, and although my BP has not dropped below 140/90 on any occasion that he has seen me he considers it normal (I think he regards it as "white coat hypertension").

It seems that doctors in South Africs have a fairly high threshold for prescribing medications for blood pressure to younger people. The contrast with your case in the U.S., where the doctor started you on BP meds immediately is quite striking.

Same here in germany. I am frequently in the 140-150/90-95 range especially when in the doctors office, but he checked everything extensively and told me i should first try to workout more, eat healthier and then come back in a year because pressure was normal overnight. He also encouraged me to do marathon training as ultrasound scans and stress ECG showed that everything seems alright with my cardiovascular system. Personally when i get a high reading it still freaks me out a bit though, but i don't want to start taking meds at age 32, so i double down on my sport and eating habits.

What are the side effects of your blood pressure medicine? Do you regularly exercise? Meditate? Have you looked into treating blood pressure other ways than a pill?

Knowing something (blood pressure is high) is cool.. but turning that into (I must pop pill X) doesn't always seem like the best strategy.

As if I said anywhere in my post "I must pop pill x." Side effects = none. Cost = negligible. Could I afford to exercise more and lose a few pounds? Sure. But that is not going to reduce what was too high blood pressure quickly enough to not be a risk, particularly upping my exercise regimen with untreated high blood pressure.

Many modern blood pressure medicines have almost no side effects for the gross majority of those taking them. I had a very similar experience to the person you're replying to.

I am active, eat healthy, and have tried to go off of my high blood pressure meds more than once, but each time, my blood pressure creeps back up. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing. Don't be scared of medicine when it's the right option.

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