20 years old and HYPERTENSIVE.....

Oh I am so sorry to hear that you have high blood pressure at such a young age. You really have to take care of yourself to assure a long and healthy life without suffering a stroke. Please read up on diet and exercise and natural foods that help with blood pressure. Garlic and raw ginger are very good. Don’t smoke or drink much alcohol. You have to work hard to get off the medication but I think you can do it.
I am 69 years old and have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure and put on medication. However, now a friend and I have started to walk. We walk every morning and then go to the drug store where they have a blood pressure measuring machine and take our blood pressure. If we walk 5km my blood pressure is down to normal, if we walk only 3km it is still on the high side. I have also started to eat more vegetables and fruits and avoid salty foods and fast foods. I also would like to get off medication.

There are many potential causes for hypertension. The elevated reading you initially had could have been "white coat hypertension," (i.e. your blood pressure went up in anticipation of your blood pressure being checked by someone you preceive as an authority figure.) I can feel my BP going up even as someone is beginning to take my blood pressure, and I'm 51 years old, and a health care professional myself! Try to check your blood pressure yourself at various times of the day in a relaxed setting.

Another possibility is metabolic syndrome. If you consume lots of carbohydrates (sugars), are overweight, and have elevated blood sugars and blood lipids, you may well have metabolic syndrome. It's pretty common in the US, although most people don't realize they have it.

Don't fret too much about the sexual side effects of metoprolol. If you have those side effects, there are many other medications that can be used for hypertension that do not cause impotence. But beware of another potential serious side effect of beta blockers (like metoprolol), depression. Depression can be more devastating than hypertension itself. By the way, I've taken a beta blocker for years with good results, and minimal side effects.

You need to work with your doctor to get control of this potentially serious health problem. Untreated, hypertension can kill you. Diet an exercise can help, but you may still require medication.