Throughout my early and mid 20s my blood pressure was around 130/80 to 145/80. I was put on blood pressure medication at 27 because my blood pressure was going to 180/80 and 190/90, and similar high readings.

I am not fat, I am 178 cm (5'10") and weigh around 75 kg (165 lb or 11 st 11 lb), and have a lean/slim build. My doctor said that whilst my parents' history of getting hypertension in their 30s plus my inheriting heart disease from both sides of my family, most of my hypertension is caused by stress. When I was trying to get my blood pressure down, I did at least an hour of intensive aerobic exercise per day, plus cut down on sodium and fatty foods. My blood pressure was still high.

Does anyone have this problem or is in a similar situation? My doctor said that I probably will have to be on blood prsesure medicine for life, and that no matter how much I exercise and eat well that family history plus severe stress is going to drive my blood pressure up.