Something is wrong, but l don't know what.
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (56778)
June 19, 2025 8:43am CST
I haven't had a cold or flu in little over 20 years ( l don't even remember what it feels like) . So why do l suffer from high blood pressure ( hypertension)?
I eat right, do a bit of exercise, but for some time now, my pressure is not stable.
Last week l finally went for my annual blood work. My cholesterol fine, sugar fine, but iron levels a bit low- and pressure high. I really don't know what else l should do..
Pixabay image.

22 people like this
23 responses

@snowy22315 (194567)
• United States
19 Jun
@Kandae11 That would probably be good.
3 people like this

@Beestring (15746)
• Hong Kong
19 Jun
I heard that sometimes high blood pressure is related to family history. Does any of your family like your parents or siblings has high blood pressure?
5 people like this
@snowy22315 (194567)
• United States
19 Jun
Do you get stressed easily?, maybe doing yoga or meditation would help, or even walking might have benefits. Sorry you have this going on.
3 people like this

@snowy22315 (194567)
• United States
19 Jun
@Kandae11 Yes, it can. Maybe you should stop worrying about what foods to avoid and concentrate on enjoying life more. You know enough now, and have enough self control not to overeat. Water and fluids yes, very important for BP control.
3 people like this
@Kandae11 (56778)
•
19 Jun
I know l worry over every little thing and it is easier for me to stop eating certain foods than to stop worrying.
My results also noted that l was dehydrated, and l know l do not drink enough water. I am working on that because dehydration could contribute to elevated blood pressure.
2 people like this

@Shivram59 (44874)
• India
19 Jun
Is there in your family who has the same problem??
3 people like this
@popciclecold (40088)
• United States
19 Jun
I hope you find out what the problem is.
3 people like this
@Jenaisle (16205)
• Philippines
20 Jun
It could be essential hypertension, one that is inherited, just like me.
You would need a maintenance medication to maintain a normal BP. It's dangerous not to because you can never tell when your BP spikes, which can cause a stroke or heart attack. That's why it is called the 'silent killer' because it comes like a thief in the night.
1 person likes this

@Jenaisle (16205)
• Philippines
20 Jun
@Kandae11 Yes, that's true. Stress and strenuous physical activity could aggravate it. Relax and consult your doctor for an appropriate maintenance medication.
I'm not scaring you, but my husband went to heaven because he refused to take his maintenance dose. He said he was feeling well then and that his BP was normal, but it spiked when he physically exerted himself, leading to a heart attack. 

@abhi_bangal (7603)
• Ahmednagar, India
19 Jun
Meditation should help you. Also deep breathing is something that comes in handy. Have experienced it so I can say confidently.
2 people like this

@abhi_bangal (7603)
• Ahmednagar, India
20 Jun
@Kandae11 But before trying get some information about it. That'll be helpful. You'll know the dos and don'ts.

@DaddyEvil (156670)
• United States
19 Jun
Different diseases are genetic and we only have partial control over them if we're lucky. Most of my family have high blood pressure. (Mom had low blood pressure.) The more stressful our living/working conditions are, the sooner high blood pressure rears its head in our family. I started showing signs of high blood pressure in my mid-thirties. I started taking meds for it in my early-forties... I still have high blood pressure but not as bad as it was when I was working. I still take high blood pressure meds but not as much as I used to need.
Good luck with yours.
2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (156670)
• United States
19 Jun
@Kandae11
I'd be at the beach every day if I could get there. Instead, I live in the center of the continental US... Beaches are far away from here.
I drink a gallon and a half of water every 24 hours and only have a small amount of stress now.

2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (156670)
• United States
19 Jun
@Kandae11 You won't need to drink that much and I need to recalculate how much I need to drink since I've been losing weight lately... That was calculated for when I weighed 300 lbs.
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (56778)
•
19 Jun
I see what you mean. Stress and genetics could be factors to consider. I was told that l was dehydrated as well - which also contributes to it.
I am working on drinking more liquids and also decreasing stress levels. Imagine l live five minutes away from the beach and l haven't been there in years.

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (87995)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Jun
Take a look at this link maybe it can help
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20046974
1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (87995)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Jun
@Kandae11 I hope it might help
1 person likes this

@arunima25 (91985)
• Bangalore, India
20 Jun
It might be genetic. Even if no one in your family has it, you might be the first one to express the genes. I had the same question when I was diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes ( insulin dependent) at young age of 21, despite being an athlete and health conscious youth. No one in my family ever had diabetes before age of 60( type 2). But then you have to accept it, stay positive and live through managing it. Take care



1 person likes this
@arunima25 (91985)
• Bangalore, India
20 Jun
@Kandae11 Genetics most of the time overpower good healthy lifestyle. Sad but true. Good part is that if you are having healthy lifestyle, you can manage it well.
Please take care of yourself. Stay hydrated.
1 person likes this

@MarieCoyle (47265)
•
19 Jun
Sometimes the reason for high BP just isn't clear. My oldest son is lean and very fit, works out, he's active. He has had high BP since he was 20 years old. He takes a pill every day for it, and it helps him a lot. Will the doctor give you a prescription? It is way less of a risk to take the BP meds than it is to have high BP constantly. I hope you can find a solution!
2 people like this

@Kandae11 (56778)
•
20 Jun
@MarieCoyle l'll see what else l can do. Sometimes l get tired of trying so hard.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (56778)
•
19 Jun
Yes l am on BP meds, but l don't like taking them because l read they can cause kidney problems down the road. I also felt that eating the way l do should be enough. Unfortunately no, l probably have to worry less , drink more water and stick to the meds - for now.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (47265)
•
20 Jun
@Kandae11
Sometimes, it just doesn't go away by doing all the right things. It's nothing you are doing wrong. The alternative of not taking it and having high BP isn't good, either. Yes, it can have side effects, but the side effects of high BP can be a heart attack or stroke. It's a hard call, I know.
1 person likes this

@ogbenishyna44 (717)
•
22 Jun
Hope you dont eat much salt. You may also want to increase your magnesium and potassium intake, they help a lot with blood pressure.
1 person likes this

@Kandae11 (56778)
•
22 Jun
@ogbenishyna44 l know water helps the blood to flow more freely. I suppose two much salt could cause a problem. The thing is - too much of anything is not good - there should be a balance.
1 person likes this
@ogbenishyna44 (717)
•
22 Jun
@Kandae11 That's true. Do you know salt binds to water and increase blood volume, causing high blood pressure.
1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (165365)
• United States
19 Jun
If your doctor is not concerned, maybe it is "white coat syndrome". Your blood pressure is higher when you have to take it for a medical professional. A lot of people have that problem.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (151707)
• India
19 Jun
Now that you have it you should deal with it Having blood preasure is quite common.
1 person likes this

@allknowing (151707)
• India
20 Jun
@Kandae11 The doctor will give you a tablet which you need to take every day without fail. I have been having it for years.
1 person likes this

@luisadannointed (8154)
• Philippines
11 Aug
If you're not experiencing cold or flu, then there is something wrong. Try to go to a doctor, there might something wrong with your immune system.
Doctors said, it is okay to get sick once in awhile in a year, because it shows that your immune system is fighting and active. I don't want to scare you, but all I want you to do is to get a health check to a different doctor.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (56778)
•
11 Aug
I think l found out why my pressure is high. I know l am guilty of not drinking enough water - the doctor said l am dehydrated - which contributes to hypertension. I have started drinking more liquids. He also said that my uric acid levels are a bit high - that also causes high blood pressure. So now l must cut back on foods l have been eating for years - like lentils, beans, peas, fatty fish like sardines , mackerel, tuna - all are high in purines which contribute to uric acid.
@sw8sincere (5963)
• Philippines
20 Jun
You’re doing the right things don’t give up!
1 person likes this
