Secondary Hypertension and Rare Causes of Hypertension.

Hi.

I'm 20 yrs old, have a BMI of about 21+, and am a regular blood donor every 3 months (Bp during donation: 110/70-120/80). During a routine check, I was noted to have high bp (140/90)...I was put on an ABPM, and my readings fluctuated throughout the day, although I didn't do anything strenuous. The lowest reading was 109/60, and the highest was 166/128.

Even when I was asleep (ABPM readings), I had a diastolic pressure hitting 100 (But not on all readings).

Pulse is also sometime erratic, hitting 160 when I am sitting doing nothing.

My blood profile is clear except for borderline LDL levels. I was suspected to have Thyrotoxicosis because I always sweat excessively, have sweaty palms, and my weight is erratic. I have problem reading continuously because if I do, my entire vision 'disappears' (Like what you see on tv when trasmission is disturbed, that's what I see). I also have tremors, a systolic murmur, and there is a nipping in my eyes. I was also noted to have trivial mitral regurgitation.

Tests show I don't have end-organ damage (kidney, heart). No hypertensive retinopathy and Takayesu's Arteritis.

Lately, I also seem to tire easily with headaches(not frequent) on one side of the head.

My parents have borderline hypertension, but they got it past 45.

My doc and all my doc frens (I volunteer 5 days a week in the government hospital) are pretty sure it isn't essential hypertension because I am not overweight, and I dont lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Please advise on possible rare causes of hypertension.

Thank you very much for your time.

[Cleveland Clinic]

bsb,

I would have to see the actual numbers, some of what you are describing such as the vision disturbances dont really coincide with physiologic symptoms, so Im not sure what to make of that.

When I see episodic changed in the blood pressures and spells I generally think of things like a pheochromocytoma which is a tumor of the adrenal gland, or a carcinoid tumor which secretes hormones that can cause blood pressure changes. The thyroid is not a bad place to look either.

I would keep an exact log of your symptoms and blood pressure readins and share it with your physician.

good luck