My blood pressure hits 150/90 somewhat regularly (the local gym had an automated cuff which I use to measure it). When I was about 29 I was concerned enough to ask the specialist physician who I see for an unrelated chronic condition. He was concerned enough by my readings to order a 24 hour blood pressure study. He didn't start me on any drugs when the 24 hour study showed that my BP dropped overnight. Indeed, my medical aid (Heath insurance) also has a fairly high threshold for funding BP meds as a chronic condition. I still see the doctor regularly, and although my BP has not dropped below 140/90 on any occasion that he has seen me he considers it normal (I think he regards it as "white coat hypertension").

It seems that doctors in South Africs have a fairly high threshold for prescribing medications for blood pressure to younger people. The contrast with your case in the U.S., where the doctor started you on BP meds immediately is quite striking.