Elevated blood pressure

I take medication for hypertension, Catapress patch .2mg and Lotrel. Recently my bp elevated and has become difficult to control. It now averages 140/100. I had two echo cardiograms, one in the hospital and 1 in the doctors office; 1 showed mild hypotrophy of the left ventrical, the other showed the same but also stated that the arterial valve was sclerosed but still opening well. During the stress test my bp started at 150/95; within a minute it went to 160/110, after 4 minutes it went to 220/118. Just a short walk of a few steps causes my bp to elevate 10-15 pts. Could both of the echo tests by right? Is it safe to start an exercise program with my bp? I lead a pretty sedentary lifestyle now. Thanks

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Mike,
Yes, both echos could be the same.  If the aortic sclerosis was mild the person reading the one test may not have commented on it. Your doctor will have to clear you for your exercise program because there are other factors to consider besides blood pressure.  In the meantime you need to do everything you can to help lower your blood pressure such as weight loss and strict diet.  There are many different medications and your doctor should be able to find a good combination that can help you.