high blood pressure

I have been having issues with my blood pressure for a while now. The dr I see just wrote a prescription and told me to come back in in a week to have it checked. It was normal. Only the medication made me really sleepy where I would sleep for hours after taking it. So Id take it at night and not get out of bed til 11 or 12 in the afternoon because I was so tired and id drag all day so I quit taking it for like two weeks until I got back in to the dr to talk about switching to something else. Well he prescribed a different one this time and I went back in today and had my BP checked. It was 133/90 with a heartrate of 103. He said it should still be a little lower but its way better then it was last week which was 160/112 I think. Well I stopped by my in-laws house to get a blood pressure machine from my FIL and he asked about whether he was running any other tests or if he had mentioned anything else. No he has not. My FIL said that with my BP being so high and my father died at 44 of a heart attack that he should be running tests. I asked the doctor that and he said no that I am young and it is not such a concern right now if we can control it with the medication. So now Im wondering should I really be pushing him to run more tests now? I dont want to end up like my dad and have a heart attack so young. This runs in my family and I alreAdy told my dr this and he did not seem at all concerned.

well..... it is my opinion.. that you are the patient and if you want more tests run you push for them. you have valid concerns imo. maybe just ask for a referral to a cardiologist because you have concerns that aren't being addressed?

Yea Im honestly thinking of switching dr's right now because he does not seem concerned about it at all. Other then monitoring the BP and taking the medication. I honestly did not know how much damage it can do til I did a little research. I figured just taking the medicine would be ok too. Then when I brought up further testing he just dismissed it as unnecasary.

lauren grier said:

well..... it is my opinion.. that you are the patient and if you want more tests run you push for them. you have valid concerns imo. maybe just ask for a referral to a cardiologist because you have concerns that aren't being addressed?

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I JUST went to the dr. yesterday for BP issues. And, like you, have family history of BP/cardiac issues.

I would find a new doctor, or at the very least, get a second opinion. BP/heart issues are not something to mess around with - and while I hope that your dr is right about it not being a concern at your age, my motto is always better safe than sorry!

Has your Dr recommended any lifestyle changes? I would be worried if all he did was prescribe some drugs and not attempt a more holistic approach. I personally would be seeking a second opinion or changing Drs.

A good friend of mine just had a massive heart attack this summer...she is 40 with a family history of heart problems. So the bit about your being young...you're never too young to have heart problems. Better to get it checked out (if only for your own peace of mind)

jacinda said:

Has your Dr recommended any lifestyle changes? I would be worried if all he did was prescribe some drugs and not attempt a more holistic approach. I personally would be seeking a second opinion or changing Drs.

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Everything Jacinda said! Andrew has high BP with family history. His doctor didn't go to medication until diet/exercise changes didn't work enough to change things for the better. Now, Andrew's got meds, diet changes, exercise AND his CPAP and he's at the low end of normal for BP. So, I agree. Insist on the testing, insist on a second opinion. If they won't do it--find a new doc, right away. Heart disease really is the #1 killer of women in this country in part because doctors tend to brush off symptoms of it in women. So fight for your health!

I think you should get a second opinion as well. My BP has been 135/90 and my doctor was quite concerned and has been monitoring it. Seems like your doctor isn't too concerned!