Hypertension diagnosis

[Flanny2016]

Hi everyone.

I'll jump right in. I had written another query for the same issue but on reflection it was much too detailed so here is the trimmed down version.

I was diagnosed with high blood pressure about 2 years ago after being sent to hospital following an industrial medical exam. My pulse was normally around 67 because I did exercise quite a bit and took it regularly but on the morning of the exam it was racing, possibly around twice that rate. I had also taken a LOT of water onboard, I mean an unnaturally large amount that I was forcing myself to drink because I had already been to the toilet and I knew I would have to urinate to give a sample when I got there. Needless to say this was a very stupid thing to do. My pulse remained at that elevated rate for the rest of the day and the BP readings at the clinic and hospital were very high, - like 220/110 or thereabouts.

I ended up on a prescription of 40mg of Telmisartan and 2.5mg of Nebivolol daily, and a diuretic which was cancelled by my Doctor. The Telmisartan was pared back to 20mg some time later after my readings were getting too low. My BP is around the ideal 120/80 mark and my resting pulse is normally around 50 but sometimes gets as low as 45.

I did mention the fluid intake to the attending Doctor in the emergency room but it's possible I may not have been clear enough about what I meant as I recall he said something like "don't worry about it"....or something like that. My own Doctor didn't seem to happy with the diagnosis initially but he was very reluctant to take me off the medications and changed his opinion eventually

I don't have any side effects that I'm aware of but I've always been a bit dubious of the outcome. Is is possible that I could have been misdiagnosed?

[Flanny2016]

Thanks for the reply. I did see a cardiologist,did 2 ABPM tests and they checked out ok. I also had an echocardiogram, ECG, numerous blood tests and a 24 hour urine analysis and there was no evidence of any organ damage. Where I'm from, physicians would very much err on the conservative side of things, not a criticism but it's just the way they roll and how their guidelines are so not being a doctor I'll go along with whatever their recommendations are. The ABPM tests are good but they are not perfect as I did get anxious when the cuff inflated and could feel my pulse starting to race, obviously because I wanted the BP to be normal each time. In the long term, I guess I'll have to find someone who deals with this sort of thing. If it turns out that I need to continue my prescription then that is absolutely fine but for now I'm still dubious

[tacolino]

Hi. You say the 24 hr test was ok. Were you taking meds at the time of the test. The 24 hour is a really good test. But If you were nervous when the cuff inflated, it wouldnt necessarily have pushed up your BP numbers.

[tacolino]

Hi there. Blood pressure numbers can vary depending on lots of circumstances. A lot of people (Including myself) when they get a high reading, their default answer is Its wrong or I don't have raised pressure. The numbers you got on the day in question were your numbers that day! You have to accept that. Yes there were a series  of complications. So with the things that have happened, I suggest you find a good BP specialist. Insist on a 24 Hour ABPM test. This is the gold standard test in BP measurement. The test is  a little bit annoying but is non invasive and costs little. So go and have it, that will allow you to have a proper diagnosis with a 24 hour printed out history of the recorded numbers. Then you can work with your doctor on any treatment plan or any withdrawal of meds. As regards mis diagnosis,. Im not a doctor but I do personally feel that docs are a little quick to prescribe BP meds. And that they are too offhanded when BP reviews are had, they often just say; 'Double the meds dose'