High blood pressure symptoms?

[funkynina]

My grandfather on my mother's side has high blood pressure and my mother just got diagnosed with HBP about 6mo. ago and high cholest.My question is in regard to my brother.In the past 2 years he has been maybe showing signs of HBP.I just saw him last night for the first time since christmas.He looked very "blown up" and puffy.  I also noticed the white part of his eyes looked a little yellow to me.I know he wears contacts, but is this normal?Does HBP affect the liver?He refuses to take medicine - it must be a man thing.I have known of him to have headaches too.  He has a very stressful job and makes his home life stressful too.I guess we both get that from our father.I just wandered if somebody knew what this problem affects the most ie: kidney, heart, or liver.How long could he go without taking meds.and what could be the final breaking point for him to realize he may need medication for HBP?What could be some real danger signs of problems? thanks-from a concerned sister.

[ilogik]

Yellow eyes are indicative of liver problems, most likely  cirrhosis. Also the puffly swollen look is most likely due to portal hypertension.  Because of cirrhosis the blood cannot pass through the liver easyly and the person retains water, it mostly collects in the abdominal cavity and you would see a swollen belly, it would look like a beer belly to you.  I really hope I am wrong because those are irreversible things and he will have to get treatment for it or risk liver failure and alcoholics dont qualify for liver transplants so you know what that means.

[funkynina]

Soooo sorry!!! I should not have just assumed it. It was just the way you wrote what you did! Sorry-hope we're still friends!

[JoAnnaRF]

oceans3 has a great idea of using the posts to let him know that you are worrying over him and that there is GOOD reason to be worried. I also find it a LOT easier to just sit and write what I am feeling. You tend to not hold back when you aren't looking them in the eye or have to worry about an immediate rebuttal. You get to say what you want without interruption. I know it must be hard to try to help him long distance, but at least you are trying. Is there anyone that lives close by him that you could sort of team up with? Someone that also cares about him.
However you choose to approach him, I wish you luck. Let us know how it goes.
--J

[funkynina]

Thank you guys! I was so excited to read what you guys wrote! I will try what you have said! I hope it doesn't **** him off!!LOL!!! But atleast it may make him think!! You guys have a wonderful week. P.S.: Oceans3 you must be a man!!LOL!!

[funkynina]

Thank you so much for your helpful information. I had actually forgotten that he does drink a lot. I think he drinks some beer during the week maybe 1 to 2 a day? I do think he drinks some more on the weekends. Mostly Jack Daniels. Liquior is what I think he likes. I don't know why because our parents do not drink and in all of my 30 years I have never seen them drink. He is an engineer and has that typical personality, and of course a man so he is very stubborn. I will try to find a way to speak to him about going to the doctor. He lives in North Carolina so I'm not sure if he has a m.d. or not? Maybe I will try to e-mail him. For some reason it is a lot easier to say what you mean that way!! I have been a dental assistant for over 10 years and I couldn't even get him to get his teeth cleaned. It was over 7 years since his last cleaning! Maybe he will consider his organs with a little bit more of a high regard!! Thank you so much.

[JoAnnaRF]

HBP is asymptomatic according to my Doc. I however, have had HBP on and off since giving birth to my 3rd child and now with chronic pain issues which can cause HBP. And I can feel my hands and feet swell, and also can hear the rushing noise in my ears when it is really high. I use my medication for months at a time, but am able to go off meds also for months at a time with no problems. The BIGGEST concern with HBP is the risk for a Stroke. Does your brother have a drinking problem? The yellow (jaundiced) eyes sound like a Liver problem and he should get that checked out ASAP. Not to say that he has to have a drinking problem for his Liver to have problems. I recently had a friend undergo a Liver transplant due to the over use of Tylenol. But did lose my mother due to Liver failure from Alcoholizm. The Liver is nothing to mess with. And neither is HBP. I hope he will go see a Doc soon. Only a Physician can diagnose what is going on.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help. It is really sweet of you to worry over him, probably way more than he is worrying over his own self. Men can be stubborn that way.
Much Luck in getting him checked out!
--J