Question:

I am 42 6` 0″ weight 203; workout regularly 4 days week 30 minutes each time. My blood pressure is 136 over 73. Is that high. Should I be concerned.

Answer:

Unless you have diabetes or kidney disease, you do not require medications to lower your blood pressure below its current level. However, you would be classified as “pre-hypertensive” meaning that you are very high (~90% over 20 years) to have your blood pressure increase to the hypertensive range (greater than 140/90) where drug therapy would be recommended.

Recommendation for someone with your blood pressure is aggressive life style changes including:

• calorie reduction
• elimination of salt in your diet
• increase in fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products
• moderation of alcohol intake
• elimination of cigarettes if you smoke
• the aerobic exercise you appear to be doing

Your height and weight place your body mass index in the overweight category. Thus, you certainly have room to reduce calories further.

For more information:

Go to the High Blood Pressure health topic.