LeeAnn76

I had never had high bp---about Jan of 2003 I went to my ob/gyn and my bp was 150/110 or something like that---several readings in his office----we were stunned---I was 54 yrs at the time. My ob/gyn and I didn't do anything about it.

In Feb I decided I really needed an internist/fam practice----never really had one because I was never really sick---oh I had been assigned docs through my insurance but would end up seeing a nurse practicioner--

So I chose I doctor I had known about (long story) who had his own practice, was easy to get into see---and made an appt. to get established with him and get him as my main doctor. I went to see him in Feb or March of 2003 and again, in his office, my bp was 150/105 or something like that. Freaked me out and I do tend to over-react to things---he said well check your bp at home for a few days-----and then we will talk more--
So I went to the drugstore and got a good monitor and of course being scared to death was taking my bp several times a day----- and my bp and my pulse soared to like 180/120 but of course I imagine part of it was stress----and my pulse would race, over 100.

So back to the doctor scared out of my wits because I am otherwise so healthy, so he gave me samples of Norvasc to take. And I don't remember at what point I first got atenolol.

He did a bunch of blood work and said my kidney and liver function were great----my glucose as it always has been was about 95---he said all other functions looked good---
my total cholesterol was a tad high but my HDL was like 79-----so that was good.

The Norvasc immediately gave me side effects like flushing and palpitations-----eventually a few months later he sent me to a cardiologist because I would have palpitations and he said you may have some sort of dangerous rhythm problem

Cardiologist did some tests, listened to my heart, talked to me---said you have a benign tachycardia which is not dangerous---atenolol is perfect for that, keep up with the
atenolol---and since the other doc had given me norvasc they said keep up with that.

I understand now that the first line of defense for a healthy person who has never had high bp before is something like an ace inhibitor or a beta blocker and a diuretic----but
that is not what happened.

The thing is, I NEVER had had heartburn, EVER. But a few months into taking Norvasc---and when you read about it, it does the same thing to your esophagus or whatever that it does to the inside of your veins/arteries---loosen things up---and all the literature says heartburn is a huge side effect of calcium channel blockers----same reason there is swelling of the feet and ankles---same theory----

My glucose is now down to 92, I eat a very low glycemic diet because that is what appeals to me, have never had any symptoms of insulin resistance, I get lots of exercise.

I just seem to have a problem with side effects from meds.

My blood pressure was always very well controlled with the Norvasc and atenolol------
118/76 things like that.
But I finally got tired of the numbness in my feet which coincided and got worse the longer I was on the norvasc---if I can find the link I will send it to you.

And my new doctor said he much preferred ace inhibitors to calcium channel blockers---they have a protective effect on the kidneys, a slight diuretic effect, he likes them very much------

But to answer your question, my doctor diagnosed my hypertension over a few weeks--and also decided I was nuts because indeed I was scared to death---I do tend to have a type A and anxious personality----
I did have pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy years ago, which he says is a sign of future hypertension------
my father had high bp and heart disease although he lived to be 89 years old after having a heart bypass 23 years before that-----
his mother, my grandmother, was a Christian Scientist and no doubt had heart disease etc for a long time but didn't treat it until it was way too late and she died at age 67----I really never knew her.
And it seems to be very common for women in their 50's to develop hypertension.
I believe mine is partly genetic. My mother died of enphysema because she smoked---at age 70---her mother lived to be 89.

Anyway, way more information than you needed