flowergirl2day

Hi Jezza,

you are dealing with several issues.
high blood pressure
microalbuminuria or proteinuria
family history of diabetes

They all go hand in hand.
Proteinuria or microalbuminuria happens when protein leaks into the urine. The reason it leaks is usually because the filters in the kidneys called glomeruli are damaged. Many diseases cause inflammation of these "filters" which in turn causes small amounts of albumin - the main one of the proteins-to leak. The conditions that can damage the glomeruli include hypertension, diabetes, some kidney diseases and many others. Proteinuria in hypertension is often a sign of a reduced kidney function. You should have another test to ascertain the accuracy of the first one. Your kidney function should be tested and assessed.
Your first priority should be to get your blood pressure under control. It should be at 130/80 or less if you can manage it. Another thing you can do is to control your glucose (which is good by the way). You must start eating a healthy diet and should reduce your salt and protein intake if instructed to do so by your doctor.
If your doctor diagnoses either microalbuminaria or proteinuria (the difference between the two being the amounts and types of protein in the urine), do not panic. The two medications proven helpful in protenuria are ACE inhibitors and ARBs. Either of the two meds helps protect the kidneys and slow down the progression of kidney disease.
ACE inhibitor is also used to help PREVENT kidney damage in high-risk people, such as diabetics. My husband, a diabetic, has been on Ramipril for years.
The usual maintenance dose of Perindopril is 4-8mg daily. At your current 4mg per day, yours is not such a high dose. Normally, if BP control is not achieved with Perindopril alone, a diuretic is added. Your doctor has decided to add a calcium channel blocker. I just read an interesting chapter about the CCBs in my new book so will review it and see if the CCBs relate to renal issues in any way. Most likely you are on the calcium channel blocker for blood pressure control.
My kidney disease (still undiagnosed) was either caused by hypertension or vice versa. I have either proteinuria or microalbuminuria, I forget which. Microalbuminaria progresses to proteinuria as the amount of protein increases. You can tell when the protein in urine is high. The urine looks foamy and your hands, feet, abdomen or face swell. This only happens with high amounts of protein leaking into the urine. There are no symptoms with lower amounts. Keep in mind that these are just my thoughts and don't mean anything. In other words, do your own research and listen to your doctor. Sounds like he's been taking good care of you. You must do your part though. Eat a healthy diet, try to get MORE sleep. Bring that blood pressure down to a safe level. Your cholesterol levels are not too bad I think. Of course, they could be better. Do you take a cholesterol medication? Has your doctor suggested changing your diet? Glad to hear you get plenty of exercise!

i hope this helps a little.
good luck,
flowergirl