Joanna2007
09-13-2005, 10:50 PM
My bp has consistently been around 150/10. I am a 28 yr old female weighing 135. My dr. tells me it is essential hypertension and that if it was caused by another health \prob. it would be a lot higher than that. Is that true? Do thyroid disorders and other medical conditions that cause high bp only apply if bp is sky high?
Also, I have been on the water pill for 4 days and bp hasn't changed. Has it been long enough for it to change if it was going to?
TIA.
Emily
Also, I have been on the water pill for 4 days and bp hasn't changed. Has it been long enough for it to change if it was going to?
TIA.
Emily
Sponsor
crabbyroad
09-14-2005, 12:22 AM
Emily,
Yes, assuming your doctor did basic blood work to rule out kidneys, etc. when nothing is found, is just the "unexplained" hypertension. It could come from genetics, weight, lifestyle (smoker? drinker? active in exercising?). You won't notice a change in 4 days albeit maybe a couple of points, but a diuretic is the quickest way to see a change with among the medications available, the least to have side effects. You will find yourself going to the bathroom more. You should see some results in next week or so, if the numbers havent dropped enough, the doctor will probably up your dosage, very common. Start lower dosages, as alot of hypertension at younger ages with no found problems, family history, etc, can be caused from stress, anxiety, dietary habits.
Yes, assuming your doctor did basic blood work to rule out kidneys, etc. when nothing is found, is just the "unexplained" hypertension. It could come from genetics, weight, lifestyle (smoker? drinker? active in exercising?). You won't notice a change in 4 days albeit maybe a couple of points, but a diuretic is the quickest way to see a change with among the medications available, the least to have side effects. You will find yourself going to the bathroom more. You should see some results in next week or so, if the numbers havent dropped enough, the doctor will probably up your dosage, very common. Start lower dosages, as alot of hypertension at younger ages with no found problems, family history, etc, can be caused from stress, anxiety, dietary habits.
Lenin
09-14-2005, 09:49 AM
emily,
I think MANY, if not MOST, cases diagnosed as "essential" have a cause, after all "essential" just means "the doctor doesn't know the cause."
Every case of secondary hypertension probably has an early stage where the effect is small except for a congenital defect.
But if your doctor says, "essential" then he certainly isn't going to look any further than his prescription pad.
I think MANY, if not MOST, cases diagnosed as "essential" have a cause, after all "essential" just means "the doctor doesn't know the cause."
Every case of secondary hypertension probably has an early stage where the effect is small except for a congenital defect.
But if your doctor says, "essential" then he certainly isn't going to look any further than his prescription pad.
toy-boat
09-14-2005, 02:06 PM
I'd go even further in that "essential" hypertension has known causes but doctor and patient are ignorant (or lazy) to make/recommend the necessary changes (diet, nutrient-intake, weight, salt, caffiene, exercise, etc.), while prescribing pills is easier.
And then there's the doctor/drug-company relationship which needs nurturing.
And then there's the doctor/drug-company relationship which needs nurturing.
Joanna2007
09-14-2005, 05:28 PM
OK, I guess I left a few things out. The doctor didn't run any tests. She just said from my numbers that they were too low to be caused by anything else.
I exercise 3 or 4 times a week, don't smoke, drink occasionally, and don't add salt to anything.
Ideas?
I exercise 3 or 4 times a week, don't smoke, drink occasionally, and don't add salt to anything.
Ideas?
crabbyroad
09-15-2005, 12:50 AM
Ok Im confused, In your first post I assumed that was a typo error meaning to say 150/100 not 10. If your # is 10 and your doctor says this isnt caused by anything, they are wrong, Second if the reading was 150/100 and NO blood work was done, run to another GP. Blood work needs to be done with every hypertension patient for kidney problems, thyroid, etc. Please elaborate further on your reading, and see a new doctor.
Uff-Da!
09-15-2005, 02:27 AM
Though 95% of patients have essential hypertension (no known cause), there is a greater than 5% chance among younger patients that high blood pressure could be due to some secondary cause. Like Lenin said, in many cases there is likely to be an inital stage of that problem where BP is not sky high. Your doctor should have done some tests to rule out secondary causes. If it were me, I'd look for another doctor.
Lenin
09-15-2005, 10:24 AM
As I recall, two tests that were done on me back during the Civil War when my hypertension was diagnosed :D:D were 24-hour urine tests (fill the jug at home) for two things: vanillamandelic acid and 5-HIAA (I THINK the latter is correct)...one is looking for a tumor called pheochromocytoma which exusdes adrenaline and noradrenaline and the other looks for an adrenal tumor that exudes serotonin (a vasoconstrictor).
It seems these are the usual causes of secondary hyper.
It seems these are the usual causes of secondary hyper.
Joanna2007
09-15-2005, 04:57 PM
Sorry, I did mean 150/100. Since then, I called another dr. and had them order bloodwork. They did a thyroid test and a think what they called a metobolic panel that tested for diabetes and maybe something else. What else should I do. My bp today was 138/98. I am still taking the diuretic at the same dose.
Doug46D
09-15-2005, 05:37 PM
Emalee94,
I would wait for the blood work. It sounds like you have found a new doctor and they are interested in your case.
But, I would not worry much, as the doctor will get to the bottom of the problem.
Doug
I would wait for the blood work. It sounds like you have found a new doctor and they are interested in your case.
But, I would not worry much, as the doctor will get to the bottom of the problem.
Doug
Joanna2007
09-15-2005, 08:01 PM
I got the results of the bloodwork and they were normal. The doctor didn't recommend anything else. Ideas?
crabbyroad
09-15-2005, 11:22 PM
A urinalysis should be done also. At least since you have been on it what 5-6 days? Your number has dropped 12 points on systolic and 2 pts on the other. Normally, a doctor will wait a week or two to see how well the medicine is working for you, before prescribing a higher dosage or change to a different medication.