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a one time high doesn't mean you have hypertension. It means you had a hypertensive episode. Before starting meds, most doctors will want a minimum of three consecutive high readings. I'm surprised they want to wait 6 weeks before re-checking you.
Being overweight isn't healthy, but it doesn't always make you hypertensive, either. I have had plenty of overweight patients who have ideal, if not low, blood pressures.
Stress will raise your blood pressure. Eating too much sodium will raise your blood pressure, as will being in pain. Not to mention "white coat syndrome", which has given more episodic highs than you could shake a stick at (that is when a person gets nervous about seeing the doctor, they get all worked up, and it shoots their BP up..as soon as they relax and calm down, their pressure settles to a nice, normal range)
Using the wrong size BP cuff will give false high readings as well. If you are on the large size, make sure the tech uses the 'big boy' cuff.
I'm not in any way suggesting that you take this lightly. You have areas of concern that need to be addressed. Deal with the stressors, take on some exercise (a nice walk after dinner is an easy way to start), avoid high sodium foods, etc.
A one time high is just that. A one time high. Think of it as a warning of what could be, if you don't address your known issues. As Barney Fife would say, "Nip it...nip it, nip it, nip it!"
Oh, and don't use those BP machines at the grocery store...the cuff is probably going to be too small if you are on the large side, and give false highs. If you want to keep track over the next few weeks until you see the doctor again, check into an over the counter BP machine, one of the electric ones unless you know someone who can take it manually. Just make sure to use the right size cuff.
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