AboutDomenic Sica Expertise All aspects of hypertension as well as any consideration in drug therapy for the management
of hypertension.
Experience Heavily published in the area of drug therapy in hypertension and renal disease. Primary management physician for a large multi-state referral practice for diagnosis and management of complex hypertension
Organizations Multiple including the American Society of Hypertension, International Society of Hypertension, American Society of Nephrology, American Heart Association, American College of Clinical Pharmacology amongst others.
Publications Over 250 publications (see PubMed)
Education/Credentials Board certified in internal medicine, nephrology, clinical pharmacology, and hypertension
Awards and Honors Multiple awards as clinical and/or teacher of the year.
Question I am 20 years old and have been consistently getting high blood pressure readings for the past 2 years. I am not overweight, I am on a college sports team l so i get plenty of exercise and i eat a pretty normal diet but my blood pressure has been around 170/112. Every time i go to the doctor they make some remark about how high my blood pressure is and how odd it is for someone as young and athletic as me to have it. They all come to the conclusion that i am just nervous and have "white coat" hypertension. I believed that for a while but i have started checking my bp at the pharmacy when ever i go the store and they all usually give a similar reading of 165ish/115ish. I am just curious what could be the causes and treatments for this because i know bp this high is abnormal and dangerous.
Answer This does not sound like white-coat hypertension. You probably should have this formally evaluated by your regular treating physician. The causes could be that it is inherited, relating to renal or cardiac disease, or due to one of several different hormonal abnormalities. Another thought for you is that based on the type of athletic activity your blood pressure may go even higher when you are active; thus, another reason to have it checked out.
