I recently started seeing a new General Practitioner who came very highly recommended by family and friends. I love her, she's a hippie who went to medical school. As a rule her staff said it would be in my best interest to begin with a physical, to which I agreed. Full labs, CBC, EKG, EEG (unusual for a GP), and blood pressure, etc. She was quite alarmed by my blood pressure, and she detected AFib. I proceeded to inform her that the AFIb is news to me. But, my whole medical life my blood pressure has always been what medical professionals would consider high. Even when I was a kid I remember the Pediatrician closely monitoring it and chalking it up to genetics and pediatric hypertension. We're talking anywhere from 150/90 to 200/110. It can be 120/80, also. I never, ever had any side effects whatsoever. I'm 6'1" and 150lbs, healthy, non-smoker, cannot tolerate stimulants of any kind, and a rare alcohol user. Throughout my teens and early adulthood I've been referred to Cardiologists who have done long term holter monitor tests, event monitor, stress tests, echocardiograms, and several electrophysiology studies. Endocrinologists to determine if there is anything amiss with my adrenals and endocrine system. Every time everything came back completely normal. I do have very severe panic disorder for which I take Xanax PRN. I've always considered my hypertension to be my unique flaw. Its never held me back nor have I ever felt; "Well, I shouldn't do this activity or I should take it easy..." I don't even think about it. My point is my new GP is very alarmed. She gave me a clean bill of health as long as I promised to comply with Propranolol 40mg taken at bedtime, Pradaxa 75mg twice daily, and she increased my Xanax, but insisted that I keep it a PRN "as needed drug". She explained the benefits of Propranolol for anxiety and panic disorder and indeed warned me never to take the two drugs together, i.e. don't take your propranolol and Xanax before bed. My ultimate question is this really necessary? Isn't this much ado about nothing? It is quite clear she is caring and is coming from a great place. I feel that she is starting me on a prophylactic drug regimen which will grow as the years go on due to a fear unfounded or not that I may have a severe cardiac event. She has recommended an Electrophysiologist for which she personally called to get me scheduled ASAP. If I had all of these tests in my teens and early twenties and nothing has changed, what gives? Also, my old GP did not seem phased by it as he examined my medical records and I saw him 3 months before switching GP's and he said everything is stellar and told me to enjoy my elliptical trainer. Sorry for the long post, any input would be great. I don't want to be 30 and have to take a drug to get up, get it up, use the restroom, eat food, exercise, etc. Thanks in advance!