Secondary hypertension and what are the symptoms?

  Thank you for the advice on my last message.  I have been taking Advil and
  Motrin the past few years because that is what the Navy doctors gave me to
  take for headaches and pain associated with my surgeries.  I also take prevacid
  60 mg daily for GERD and vancenase AQ for hayfever and allergies.  I have
  taken salt away from my diet and I am a non-smoker and don't drink at all.  
  I would like to know what is secondary hypertension and what are the symptoms
  that can bring it on?  I have been taking extra strenght tylenol for my
  headaches and tylenol pm to sleep at night.  I was told it was ok to use tylenol
  for a long time to help with headaches and sleeplessness.  I was hoping I would not
  need a fourth med to take and no more surgeries.  What other kind of test
  would be helpful in solving my hypertension problem? My hypertension is
  constantly high.  I do monitor it daily and both arms are registering the
  same readings. Also, my twin sister is having the same hypertension problems and
  she is worried about it too.  Thank you for your advice and suggestions.
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Dear  Maria,
Q:I would like to know what is secondary hypertension and what are the symptoms
that can bring it on?
A: Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that is due to an identifiable  cause.  These include renal artery stenosis (blockage), pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor) and other causes (i.e. licorice overdose).  The symptoms are the same as primary hypertension (which is high blood pressure with no identifiable cause)
Q: What other kind of test would be helpful in solving my hypertension problem?
A: The majority of hypertension is primary and the only test is what you are doing by checking blood pressures.  Treatment can often take quite a bit of adjusting of medications and you will need to work closely with your doctor as well as adopting major lifestyle changes of your own.  Good luck.

Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist.