Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

[goldberry]

My closest friend has been having blood pressure problems for about six months and nothing seems to control it.  She has been in the hospital 3 times in the last month.

 

She is 49 but is in great shape.  Not overweight at all, exercises, eats pretty much exactly the diet recommended by the doctor.  She does have a lot of stress...  but what the heck?

 

None of the medicines they keep trying are working.  Anyone with any experience of this?  I'm starting to get really worried!

[kbutton]

Have they looked into genetic causes such as kidney disease? Has this been going on for some time undetected? I have no real answers, but those are two things I'd be asking--if it's been going on a for a while, I would want to know if that's contributing to the time it's taking to get it under control, or if it did some kind of permanent damage.

 

I would ask about nutrient deficiencies as well--vitamins and minerals. 

 

I hope she has some success with treatment soon--high blood pressure is very damaging.

[3 ladybugs]

My grandfather was ordered to stop working or die because of his high blood pressure. He hated not working (especially with how he stopped) but he did end up living another 10+ years. 

 

I don't know what the cause of your friend's stress, but she needs to address that even if it is something as dramatic as stopping work. 

 

I would also see if they could get a consult to one of the top hospitals in the country. They normally see it all and can help her with this issue. That is not to say they could fix it, but it is worth a try. 

[magic]

My husband is on 3 medications to keep his blood pressure under control,  He takes at least one bp reading each day.  He is in good shape and eats healthy but high blood pressure is hereditary in his family.  It took almost 2 years for the doctor's to find the right combination of medication that works for him.  He had to start on medication in his early 30s.

[Reefgazer]

Some people are genetically prone to HBP and need medication.  Often, those people need 2 or more meds to control that condition.  I have an aunt who has weighed under 100 pounds and been in great shape her whole life, but without meds, or her head would pop off with a stroke. 

My closest friend has been having blood pressure problems for about six months and nothing seems to control it.  She has been in the hospital 3 times in the last month.

 

She is 49 but is in great shape.  Not overweight at all, exercises, eats pretty much exactly the diet recommended by the doctor.  She does have a lot of stress...  but what the heck?

 

None of the medicines they keep trying are working.  Anyone with any experience of this?  I'm starting to get really worried!

 

[brehon]

Everyone is correct. HTN simply isn't a lifestyle issue; genetics plays a large role. The best thing your friend can do is minimize her stress as best she's able and realize that she probably needs to take more than one BP med. I've had patients who have taken two BP meds (usually a beta-blocker & an ACE-inhibitor) along with a diuretic.

[dancer67]

Have her Dr check her Potassium levels, and test for this:

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/primary-aldosteronism/basics/symptoms/CON-20030194

 

Some people have this condition, and need specified BP meds.

 

I had trouble with my BP meds. Now I am on 3 and it works. But for a while,. I thought I had this.