I turned 13 a few days ago, and my father, an EMT took my blood pressure today, it read 124/74. I went to a pediactric cardiologist a few weeks ago, and it was 168/80 or something like that. I was nervous then.
I am 133 pounds, and 5′4 1/2″. Is this normal? If not, is there anything besides cutting out salt that will help?
It was 168/80 because I thought they were going to tell me I needed heart surgery or something. I overreact. But any ways it is down now. Is the 124/74 normal? Or high?
The Thing is, the cardiologist said that the hole in my heart closed and the only reason I would need to see her is if we didnt have a family doctor to check my blood pressure…(We just moved).
She said it was high at 168/80 or whatever….but it was because I was nervous because it is 124/74, I just want to know if 124/74 is high for my age, height, weight.
What is considered “high blood pressure” for a 13 year old?
12
Jul
Aimee
July 12, 2010 at 6:16 am
168/80 is way too high for a 13 year old with your weight, I would think your “cardiologist” would’ve said something about it, Have your dad check it again, or go to walmart pharmacy and check it there….High BP is nothing to play around with. Good luck to you!!
Oh and nerves can cause “white coat hypertension” that’s when your blood pressure elevates around medical personnel. Cutting back on salt can help..but if you have true hypertension you may need medication.
smith's apple girl
July 12, 2010 at 6:23 am
go to the doctor none of us know about it for real
Tara
July 12, 2010 at 7:14 am
Google should have a few answers, but if none of them appeal to you, ask your cardiologist. S/he should know.
pastorart1974
July 12, 2010 at 8:05 am
Textbook perfect is 120/80 or less.
Considering your age and height, you could stand to lose a few pounds, like 15 or 20. No more than that.
My blood pressure also goes up when I’m in a the doctor’s office too.
D G
July 12, 2010 at 9:01 am
Nervousness definitely causes a person’s blood pressure to go up. The ideal blood pressure is 120/80 or under. The higher/1st number given (systolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is beating. The lower/2nd number given (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. A onetime high blood pressure reading isn’t enough to worry about high blood pressure. Readings that tend to be 120-139/80-89 regularly are an indicator of prehypertension and readings that stay above 140/90 indicate high blood pressure (hypertension). If your doctor is concerned about your blood pressure, he/she will ask you to come in several times to be checked before they diagnose high blood pressure.
From what I can tell according the chart “Blood Pressure Levels for Girls by Age and Height Percentile” at the National Institutes of Health webpage http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/child_tbl.htm it looks like 124/74 is in the normal range for you.
I put your age, weight, height into the BMI calculator here http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx and got the following results:
Age: 13 years
Sex: Girl
Height: 5 feet 4–1/2 inch(es)
Weight: 133 pounds
Results : Based on the height and weight entered, the BMI is 22.5, placing the BMI-for-age at the 84th percentile for girls aged 13 years. This teen has a healthy weight.
Don’t worry, you seem fine and normal. The best way to stay in good health is simply to eat well, get some aerobic type exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week, relax and have a good laugh!