How Can A Silent Killer Be Undetected For Years?

[renegadefm]

Had a bit of a shock yesterday. 

I had to have an mot at the doctor's before they would book me an appointment to see the authopedic nurse. 

The mot involves measurements of my height, weight, and blood pressure. 

So the doctor proceeded to do the blood pressure test, I didn't look at the readings as she did them, but she done 3 tests, then looked at me and said are you sure your feeling ok, to which I replied yeah I feel fine. Then she said have you ever had head aches, or feeling dizzy, pains in the chest recently, I said no none of those. 

So she went onto explain I got to give you some medicine to take when you get home, its a course of tablets because your blood pressure is high enough to trigger a stroke or heart attack. 

I think the readings on average were 172 over 93. Worse one was 163 over 100.

But it made me think how many people are walking about not realising they have high blood pressure without realising it. 

I'm not over weight or anything, I don't smoke. I only drink alcohol on my days off work. I like to think I have a balanced diet. 

 

Hopefully the tablets will bring it down, but its a shock to myself. 

[barry1010]

Best to get it under control.  Lack of symptoms doesn't always mean all is well

[davebro3]

I had my covid jab yesterday & they were offering a BP check as routine for anyone over 40 who isn't already on BP meds. (I've been taking them for years)

[barry1010]

Every time I see my GP or nurse they take my blood pressure. I get the impression my family is lucky in that we have had no problem getting face to face appointments even during lockdown.

I suspect many people have not been getting regular basic check-ups, blood pressure can't be taken over the phone or video call

[Maydup]

Your question implies high blood pressure gone undetected for years. It's possible but more likely fairly recent and detected due to the MOT. 

[barry1010]

Good point, Maydup.  When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked, renegade?

[Ellipsis]

I know a guy who got a Fitbit. He thought it might be a bit useless, or at least inaccurate, as it said his pulse was 43. When he tested his pulse himself, it was over 60. To cut a long story short, it turned out that his heart kept stopping and starting, and that's why the average pulse was 43! He has a pacemaker now ...

[Old_Geezer]

I would have thought he'd have noticed that and had it investigated way before checking blood pressure. The sinking feeling as a heart skips a beat is very obvious, at least it was to me.