Is bp too low for secondary hypertension? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Joanna2007 · 09-13-2005, 07:50 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

crabbyroad · 09-13-2005, 09:22 PM

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.

Lenin · 09-14-2005, 06:49 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.

toy-boat · 09-14-2005, 11:06 AM

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.

Joanna2007 · 09-14-2005, 02:28 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?