Concerns About Elevated Blood Pressure at Age 18
At 18 years old and weighing 112 pounds (50.8 kg) with a height of 5 feet 4 inches (162.56 cm), I am currently prescribed 30 mg of Vyvanse for managing ADHD and 1 mg of Guanfacine to help with sleep. Aside from these medications, I don't use anything else. I maintain a lifestyle free from alcohol and tobacco—both smoking and vaping. I also refrain from taking any other drugs aside from what my doctor has prescribed. The only supplemental substance I use is 2.5 mg of melatonin each night to aid my sleep. It’s worth mentioning that my family has a record of blood pressure irregularities, but these have typically occurred later in life—specifically in their late 40s to 70s. For instance, my mother experiences low blood pressure, while my grandmother and great-grandmother had issues with high blood pressure. My diet tends to be quite poor, heavily featuring processed sweets like candy and cakes, although I generally don't consume an excessive amount of salt, which is known to contribute to hypertension. Recently, during a visit to a plasma donation center, I was informed that my diastolic blood pressure registered at a concerning 108. A subsequent test performed ten minutes later showed an even higher reading of 120. While I didn’t catch my systolic number, the reading was within an acceptable range according to the staff. Earlier today, I checked my blood pressure three times consecutively at a CVS, and the readings were as follows: 1. 142/93 2. 124/84 3. 123/78 I did consume caffeine today, which may have influenced these results, and I had taken my ADHD medication as well. I intend to schedule a doctor's appointment, but I will need to wait until tomorrow since they are already closed for the day. I'm curious to know why my blood pressure might be elevated at such a young age and what underlying factors could be contributing to this issue.
Answers (1)
2/12/2026, 2:10:49 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your elevated blood pressure readings at a young age. While high blood pressure (hypertension) is more commonly associated with older adults, it can occur in younger individuals due to various factors.
Explanation:
Your recent blood pressure readings indicate that your diastolic pressure is elevated, particularly the 142/93 reading, which is considered high for your age. Factors that may contribute to elevated blood pressure in younger individuals include:
- Genetics: Given your family history of blood pressure issues, genetics may play a role in your current readings.
- Medications: Vyvanse and Guanfacine can influence blood pressure; Vyvanse may cause increases in heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals.
- Diet: A high intake of processed sweets might contribute to overall health issues, including hormonal imbalance that may affect blood pressure.
- Caffeine: Consuming caffeine can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Start monitoring your blood pressure daily at the same times. Aim to take it in a calm environment, and avoid caffeine or stressful situations before checking.
-
Consider Your Diet: Gradually adjust your diet to include more whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while reducing processed foods and sweets. These changes can have a positive impact on overall health and blood pressure.
-
Stay Hydrated and Active: Ensure you're drinking plenty of water and include regular physical activity, such as walking or light workouts, which can help control blood pressure over time.
-
Discuss with Your Doctor: When you meet with your doctor, discuss your blood pressure readings, medication use, and lifestyle factors. They may suggest monitoring your blood pressure over time, reviewing your current medications, or making recommendations for lifestyle changes.
-
Limit Caffeine: As a precaution, consider reducing caffeine intake, especially before measuring your blood pressure.
Final Note:
It's good that you're planning to see your doctor, as they can provide tailored advice based on your health history, medications, and current lifestyle. Keep tracking your symptoms and prepare to discuss any changes you observe. Remember, identifying and managing elevated blood pressure early can lead to effective long-term management and overall well-being.
Related Questions
In Desperate Need of Assistance Due to Severe Discomfort
I am a 19-year-old woman grappling with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and POTS, and my situation has become increasingly dire. For the past year and a half, I have been in search of effective structural support, yet I have only received treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), ketamine, and pain medication. Currently, I am on a regimen that includes 100 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily, 7.5 mg of phentermine daily, meloxicam ranging from 7.5 to 15 mg daily, and propranolol as needed. The onset of my symptoms can be traced back to an incident where a football struck me on the head, resulting in neck trauma and unconsciousness. Although an ambulance transported me to the hospital, I was discharged with only a concussion diagnosis and some midline soft tissue swelling. Despite persistent requests for further assistance, months passed before they performed an MRI while I was reclining. However, since my issues are largely exacerbated by gravity, the results did not reveal the full extent of my condition. The MRI findings indicated: - **C4-C5:** Minimal left paracentral disc protrusion/herniation. - **C5-C6:** Slight disc bulging flattening the thecal sac. - **C6-C7:** Mild disc bulging compressing the thecal sac. - **Intervertebral discs:** Minor desiccation at C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7, with no evidence of height loss. - **Alignment:** Cervical lordosis appears straightened. Sadly, my condition has deteriorated significantly since then, reaching its worst point as I find myself nearly bedridden and overwhelmed by debilitating symptoms. Gravity exacerbates my situation and contributes to my overall feeling of illness: - **Neurological symptoms:** I experience weakness in my arms and legs, severe dizziness, frequent fainting, worsening vertigo (especially with my POTS), slurred speech, and trembling sensations, akin to carrying a heavy bag until I lay down. - **Head and neck issues:** I contend with intense head pressure, pulsating sensations in my neck and the back of my head, blood rushes to my forehead when I work to stabilize my thoracolumbar junction, as well as discomfort from slipping rib syndrome. My sternum and collarbone hurt, my shoulders sublux, I experience scapular winging, and my pelvic tilt causes lumbar overcompensation. To maintain any upright posture, I must keep my lungs inflated as much as possible, but even this causes immense pain, necessitating that I lay down at least once each hour. As a result, I am missing a significant amount of classes. Symptoms not only affect my body but escalate neurological issues from the hips up. - **Respiratory concerns:** There’s a constant choking sensation, as it feels like my spine is compressing my throat. Regarding my positional challenges, the only relief I find is when I’m inverted, which still causes discomfort at the top of my head and leaves me feeling unwell. My symptoms worsen significantly when I’m upright or even when I lay my head down. I am in a state of constant discomfort with no solution in sight, and it is driving me to my wit’s end. My academic performance is suffering, and I can hardly think straight due to the illness I am enduring. Despite consulting my primary care physician, a complex care clinic, a neurology practice, two pain management centers, and a psychiatrist — only to be turned away twice from a comprehensive spine clinic because of my Ehlers Danlos diagnosis — there has been no success. All these appointments involved long waits and ultimately yielded no assistance. If anyone has advice or can connect me with resources that may alleviate my suffering, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you deeply for your help!
Intense Leg Itching When Walking or Running – Should I Consult a Physician?
Hello Everyone, I’m an 18-year-old female, standing at 5’3” and weighing 99 pounds, and I’ve been experiencing an extremely bothersome issue with my legs. Every time I engage in walking or running, my legs start to itch intensely, making it nearly impossible for me to continue the activity. I’ve noticed that my legs turn quite red, yet I do not scratch them at all. This reaction occurs regardless of the weather conditions—be it hot, cold, humid, or dry. Unfortunately, scratching only exacerbates the situation, and even after halting my movement, the itching persists for quite a while. This limitation is quite frustrating; I struggle to walk or run without triggering this discomfort, and it’s significantly impacting my everyday life. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experienced something similar or knows if I should seek advice from a healthcare professional regarding this issue. It’s becoming quite debilitating, and I feel uncertain about how to find relief.
Sore Throat Concerns After Taking a Gel Cap
Hello. For the past few days, I’ve been dealing with a sore throat, and nearly 24 hours ago, I took a Buckley’s gel cap. Almost immediately afterward, I felt as if it became lodged in my chest and throat. Since then, I have been plagued by a persistent feeling of a "lump" that seems to shift or spasm within me. Tonight, the pain during swallowing has intensified, despite having a sore throat to begin with, although I managed to eat solid food today. While I’m not experiencing breathing difficulties, I can’t shake off the concern of possibly suffering from a chemical burn or scratch. The increasing pain is also preventing me from getting any sleep. I’m left wondering if it’s possible for the gel cap to still be physically causing issues after a day of eating, or if what I’m feeling is more likely due to severe inflammation or ulceration caused by the pill itself. I’ve discussed this with my family, and they believe it’s simply a matter of having hurt my throat. Thank you for your insights.
Persistent Dizziness with No Clear Diagnosis
A 27-year-old woman reports experiencing prolonged episodes of dizziness and lightheadedness, which have became more frequent, occurring once or twice daily for spans of 2 to 3 hours. During these episodes, she feels faint, experiences breathlessness, minor foot discomfort (with slight swelling), cramps, headaches, and nausea, leading to a sense of disorientation. She finds relief by wearing compression socks and elevating her legs. Medical testing, including a complete blood count (CBC), thyroid levels, and ferritin, revealed that her creatinine is slightly below the typical range and her thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are at the low end of normal. An electrocardiogram (EKG) showed normal results. During these episodes, her blood pressure measures around 110/70, which is higher than her usual readings, but there is no orthostatic hypotension. Home checks confirm consistent results. Her pulse oximetry readings are normal, and glucose levels were within normal limits during a doctor’s visit. Symptoms do not correlate with dietary factors such as food intake, salt, or caffeine consumption. The situation worsens during physical exertion or following hot showers. This differs from her previous experience with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Although she has a history of managing panic attacks and anxiety, these episodes feel distinct from those past experiences. Following a vegetarian diet, she admits to occasionally being very particular about her food choices; however, she maintains a healthy lifestyle involving yoga and walking. The increasing severity and frequency of her dizziness have led to greater difficulties with balance, causing her to stumble and trip more often. Her doctor has scheduled a follow-up appointment in a month to reassess the situation, but she finds this progress too slow, especially as it significantly hampers her ability to remain active. She is eager to understand any remaining tests that could provide insight, as her physician suspects potential malnutrition without pinpointing a specific cause. The more severe episodes have been quite frightening, and she worries about the risk of injury from falling or fainting if the situation continues to deteriorate.
Seeking Insights on My Recent Diagnosis of Shingles
I've just been informed by my doctor that I have shingles, and I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Lately, I've been experiencing intense pain throughout my entire back, which feels like a severe ache. Here’s a bit about my background: I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 93 kilograms. Any advice or shared experiences would be invaluable as I navigate this situation.