New here - high BP, and other questions

[Ghosthunter]

Hi all,

I know Ross from another site, and when I posted with some of the issues I have been having he recommended here. I have read some of the threads here and to be honest i dont quite understand all the terminology.

I just recently turned 30 years old, and have had high blood pressure for a number of years, since aroudn 25 or so. No one else in my family has high blood pressure, though we do have many heart and stroke problems. When I was not on medicine my blood pressure was roughly from what I recall 150/110. Top number not sure about but I do know bottom was 110, because doc seemed very concercned about that. I have been taking atenlol 50mg since then, while it has helped my doc says it was not good enough last week, because my BP was 140/90. So he put me on altace 2.5 mg, and after first day I took it, it did not make me feel right at all..i got dizzy and light headed, and actually fell down a flight of stairs and was taken to ER, luckily I did not do any major damage...just lots of bumps and burises and some pain, but recovering quite well. My PCP is very concerned that since I have had high BP for a while now at such a young age, he is worried about internal damage to my heart with the valves. So he referred me to a cardiologist.

I saw the cardiologist last night, and he gave me a very good thorough checkup. Spent abut 45 minutes with me, listening to my heart, and gave me an EKG. He said my BP is still high, in the office it was 135/95 and was really concerened about the lower number, but he did say everything he heard was prefect normal healthy heart. Nothing abnormal at all. He did schedule me for a stress test and echocardiogram tomorrow night, he say to just make sure nothing else is going on, because i do get chest pain from time to time (i usually ingore figuring it a musle or gas since I figure i am too young to have heart problems), as well as feeling my heart racing and beating hard.


I guess my question is if i do stress test and ecocardiogram tomorrow and he says everyhing is normal, is there any other test I should push? go for a second opnion? He also said after the results he will then work with me to find out what best BP medicine i should take to get my BP lower.

Thanks

 

[Ross]

Hi GH! Glad to see you decided to stop in.

Sounds like your Cardiologist is doing the right things. Many of them just dismiss what you tell them. What is happening is your entering a beginners phase. During that, they'll do the stress and echo and if anything should turn up between those two, they'll decide if a Catheterization is warranted. In your case, most likely not. They'll most likely have to play around with a combo of drugs to find what works for you. For me, it took Diovan HCT and Atenolol to get me down to acceptable numbers. I'm now running a pretty consistent 110/70. Before, I was like you. Way up there and then my aneurysm blew. I sure don't want to see you ever have to experience anything like that. No one should have too! I was 33 at that time. The big thing is to get it under control. If left untreated, it's killing your heart and kidneys, but your heart is the one that takes the most abuse.

I'm sure others will add to this, so sit back, enjoy the forum and welcome to my other world.

 

[RCB]

Too young?

Too young?

Hi all,



I just recently turned 30 years old, and have had high blood pressure for a number of years, since aroudn 25 or so.

(i usually ingore figuring it a musle or gas since I figure i am too young to have heart problems), as well as feeling my heart racing and beating hard.


Thanks

I had a high school class mate drop dead from a heart attack when he was ONLY 30 - no warning!

I might suggest an echo of the kidneys, but that is only a guess. If your dr. can't figure out the problem, you may want to seek an opinion from one of the well known medical centers like Mayo or Hopkins.
Good luck to you.

 

[Ghosthunter]

RCB and Ross,

thanks for the answers.

If I had the anueryism you had Ross, would the echo pick that up? Or would another test be needed?


RCB,

when you say your friend died at such young age, which is sad to hear, did he knew he had a codition?

I guess what I am trying to get at, if I get a total clean bill of health except for High BP, I should not worry as much except for getting my BP down?




Also forgot to add he also checked my eyes dialation, which I had no idea this but he says high blood pressure can damage the eyes over time..that is scary...but he said my eyes are great, becuase they dilated very nicely.

One other thing he did that i was very impressed, he did not take my BP until he was almsot done with my exam, after he said good things about my heart, and he did it in both arms. He said he does that because he finds many people have high BP from being anxious and nervous finding out and likes to relax the patient first. He really impressed me I have to say.

 

[Ross]

An echo should pick up something of that magnitude, but it didn't mine. They found mine on a CATSCAN.

 

[Ghosthunter]

An echo should pick up something of that magnitude, but it didn't mine. They found mine on a CATSCAN.

oh that is bad..i doubt i be able to push for a catscan. I might make that suggestion after all test results. Thanks

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome GH,

It sounds to me like your cardiologist is taking your condition seriously and doing the appropriate tests. Try not to get too worked up until you complete the tests and see where it goes from there. Not everyone is so lucky to have such a thorough and concerned cardiologist. Stay on his good side!

'AL'

 

[RCB]

RCB and Ross,

,

when you say your friend died at such young age, which is sad to hear, did he knew he had a codition?

He had no warning at all- it was a shock to all! That was over 20 years ago and today's medicine is much better at catching those things. It is good that you are paying attention to this and I hope you find out your problem.

 

[gadgetman]

Per my other postings, as far as Altace is concerned, I am sure it almost killed me. I had been suffering from High Blood Pressure for about 10 years and had been taking Oretic (sp?). After some time, along with Atenolol and Lasic, my blood pressure stablized. Then my blood sugar started going up (125 after 12 hr fast). My GP decided to change to Altace because Oretic could raise blood sugar. I didn't feel right almost immediately after taking the Altace. Although I never experienced dizzy or pass out conditions, I suddenly had dry mouth, less energy, started retaining water, and shortness of breath. My GP said he liked to stay with something for at least 6 weeks before he started making adjustments. After 6 weeks my symptoms were getting worse. My GP INCREASED the Altace saying it was not what was causing it. After spending most of the summer felling lously I took myself off Altace and went back to Oretic. I swear, within 24 hours I felt like my old self.

Discussions with Doctors during my trials (I tell them NO ALTACE) is that this drug and others related to it are the drug of choice now for high blood pressure. But each and every one of them consider my wishes and worked up another combo.

So let the games begin. I had more stress tests than I want to remember (should own stock in those treadmills), had several Echos, a Cat Scan (NO ROSS THEY DIDN'T PASS THIS TABBY OVER MY BODY!!!!!), and a couple of Caths. My heart was just wearing out. For me the last Echo, followed by a Cath to check inside, located my leaking valve and clogged arteries.

I've found it best to try to work with the Doc to come up with the right combo of pills. If you feel anything different let your Doctor know. Each person reacts differently. Another way of God keeping the Doc's honest and on their toes HA. Oh yes, watch mixing over the counter drugs in with what your Doctor ordered. Before taking anything new always consult the Doc.

Good luck on your tests and hope they come back OK. Keep us posted.

 

[Ghosthunter]

Well my PCP just called that he got the bloodwork i took last week.

he said my triglicerydes is really high 515, and my white blood cells are high.


Now he said it could have been something i ate that day to make the trigliceries go high...so he wants me to take the blood test in 2 weeks but fast before taking it. Last time I took a blood test about 3 months ago my triglicireides was a little high but nothing like this but i ddint fast...

also my white blood cells were high last time..but figured i was fighting a cold..

Now i am getting really worried...

 

[Ghosthunter]

gadgetman,


That is really scary...do you think it is the altace that caused the leaky valve?

or it just took them so long to figure it out?

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome! We won't hold it against you that you know Ross from another site. n (ah, love you Ross!)

Your body is fighting something with an elevated white count. Just keep plugging away until you get answers. It sounds like you have a good doctor. CT scans are not as big a deal with insurance companies as they used to be. I think they are finally accepting the fact that they do help a lot with early diagnosis, which translates into less expense for them, more than likely.

 

[gadgetman]

Ghosthunter,

To be honest, I really don't know. I've asked every Doctor involved and they sort of (circle the wagons) say the valve was going South for a long time and it was probably not caused by the Altace. Even my Heart Doc of 10+ years doesn't feel the Altace rushed the condition, just my time. As far as I can recall, No one every mentioned any worry about valve leakage before 2004.

I searched the web to see if anyone else had complications from Altace. Other than the shortness of breath, low energy, dizzy, and dry mouth, there was nothing I found.

Oh well. I do know that no one will every get this pill pass my lips as long as I am able to fight.............. And then they will have to deal with my wife Peggy. LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!

Danny

 

[hensylee]

My brother had a blood test and we didn't think they were testing for anything but his INR (a monthly blood test) so he had not fasted, but they did the whole lipids thing, including the triglycerides. His triglycerides were 800+ and the cardio had a fit. Well, when I found out what they had done, I did, too, because when they check your triglycerides, you are SUPPOSED to fast from midnight on. They re-tested in less than a week, and the #s were not that high. Don't know if I would get too upset about the 515 til they do a fasting blood test.

As for BP, I am on Benicar and Atenolol. Before surgery, my dr told me that if I didn't get the #s down, I could have a heart attack and I did - but I am old and you are young. However, heart matters can be there at any time in your life. Search the net to find out ways to bring down your BP - like giving up most salt, for one thing. Avoid stress and anger - this is very important. You can do things for yourself besides medicine but you have to change your way of living.

My son had a high school friend who suddenly died while playing pick-up basketball at the gym after school hours- we hear of those cases often, especially in sports events. They don't usually know they even have a heart problem, tho.

Your doctors are going to find out your problem so just stick with them and when they do their homework, you will be better for it.

BTW, welcome to VR. Bet Ross told you we are really swell folks - we are.

 

[Ghosthunter]

I want to thank everyone for their advice and the kind welcome.

the interesting thing about my blood test...I msut have taken 10-15 over past few years and I dont recall ever fasting. So I just hope I ate something that day that really messed it up.


I definitely have lots of stress...between fighting with my wife..and lots of family issues...and my job...though i cannot imagine my stress any worst then anyone else. I am also taking zoloft for anxiety and depression...so you figure with that if it were from stress that would lower it?

I also do get severe migraines..on average of 3-5 a month..which my PCP referred me to a nuerologist again..already took a catscan for it..nothing showed up...but i do take something called fiorecet..though it does not work most of time..hoping neurologist can find something else...and also taking nexium for GERD...

i definitely know my eating habits arent the greatest...funny thing is i use to be a heavy smoker...quit about 10 years ago..back then i was skinny..and never had a problem..but then eating was my substitue for smoking...so i quit one bad thing to start another..LOL

 

[Ross]

If it makes you feel any better GH, I've had both the Cardiologists office and my PCP's office call today. Seems my kidneys are not doing a good job even with all the diuretics they have me on and my white count is way up too. Creatinine level is 2.0 and they are alarmed. I guess I am now too.

 

[Ghosthunter]

If it makes you feel any better GH, I've had both the Cardiologists office and my PCP's office call today. Seems my kidneys are not doing a good job even with all the diuretics they have me on and my white count is way up too. Creatinine level is 2.0 and they are alarmed. I guess I am now too.

No that doesnt make me feel good..dont want anyone else to suffer...shucks...

I dont know what is Creatinine?

how do they know your kidneys are not doing a good job? what test did you take to test that?

Also having white cell high means you have an infection right?

 

[Ross]

Creatinine

You should be tested for creatinine if you take an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, diuretic, or spironolactone (Aldactone). Measuring serum creatinine can spot kidney trouble. Creatinine is the waste product of creatine phosphate, which is found in skeletal muscle. As long as your muscle mass is pretty constant, your creatine level should be constant. Creatinine is eliminated only through the kidneys so when kidneys get weak, creatinine level goes up.
Normal creatinine range is:

Adult men: 0.6 to 1.3 mg/dl
Adult women: slightly lower than men due to less muscle mass
Children: 0.2 to 1.0 mg/dl


This is the result of a BMP and CBC/with differential or
Basic Metabolic Profile and complete blood count

I don't know what the deal is with my white count. It's been elevated on every test I've had. I hope this isn't leading to Leukemia.

 

[Ghosthunter]

Yeah I just found this web page

http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw4260.asp

Describing what everything can be...and saw leukemia

I have to stop worrying..probably making my BP even worst at this point..


I do have a sore throat started yesterday and maybe it was in my system when i took the blood test last wed...a week ago..just going to hope..take it one step at a time.

Hope it nothing serious for you...

 

[perkicar]

Yeah I just found this web page

http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw4260.asp

Describing what everything can be...and saw leukemia

I have to stop worrying..probably making my BP even worst at this point..


I do have a sore throat started yesterday and maybe it was in my system when i took the blood test last wed...a week ago..just going to hope..take it one step at a time.

Hope it nothing serious for you...

Your white count isn't as important as your differential white count (what type of white blood cells). What is your WBC? I don't know what drugs you both are on (are either of you on steroids like methyl pred or decadron) since they can elevate your white count too.
Ross, they will probably want you to do a 24 hour urine collection so they can look at your creatinine clearance (how much creatinine you are actually putting out in your urine over a 24 hour period). 2 is a little elevated but not moving into dialysis reco's. What do your other e-lytes look like? If you are having high potassium, phosphate, calcium levels then yes, your kidneys are not doing their job.
Try not to panic guys,
just keep asking questions and we'll do what we can to help!