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.

[barry1010]

Not always, OG. My oldster has mitral valve regurgitation and he never had any symptoms.  His heart rate was reading extremely low which led to the tests. 

[Canary42]

I don't recommend waiting for the symptoms. In my case the symptom was identified at an optometric checkup, resulting in referral to Cardiology who discovered a blood clot on my brain as a result of a TIA (mini-stroke).  So now I can no longer drive and am on 3 lots of lifelong medication. Perhaps regular blood pressure checks would have recognised this earlier and suitable medication prevented the TIA.

[barry1010]

I'm in favour of regular check ups and self care, where practical. Home blood pressure monitors are cheap and easy to use. Oximeters for those with lung disease.

The NHS no longer routinely fund glucose monitors for Type 2 diabetics but I would not have been able to reverse the condition without it.

 

[vulcan42]

Regular check ups are of course the answer but what can you do when your doctor cancelled them at the beginning of covid and has not reintroduced them. Prior to 2019  I had a checkup every year, since then not one.

[DDIL]

Before yesterday when was the last time you had it checked?

Your title is a bit misleading as it suggests negligence.

Calm down stopped getting stressed over minor things beyond your control and reduce your salt intake.

My BP is consistently higher than yours and despite following all the rules and instructions it does not reduce.

So I have gone back to enjoying my coffee and the little salt that I had and await the outcome.

[davebro3]

Exercise is beneficial if you can manage it. I have recently taken up swimming again after a break of several years. Don't always feel like going, but always feel better after.

[barry1010]

Vulcan, have you tried to book a check up?

[ladybirder]

Rene thank you for BA.

Have a look at this BP chart in my link it's very useful.  Scroll down a little and you get to the interesting bit.

https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/understanding-your-blood-pressure/what-do-the-numbers-mean/

 

[vulcan42]

Barry,yes I have to no avail. It's impossible to get pass the receptionist who won't accept a check up and won't book a call back from the doctor unless it's a specific problem. Even a callback is useless, a friend was told by the doctor to hold his phone to his chest,  the doctor diagnosed COPD and as it turned out, incorrectly. On another occasion the same friends wife had a call back from a locum, who after listening to her symptoms said I'm not sure what do you think it is?.

I've come to the conclusion that the NHS should now be NHSP, Non Helpful Strategic Planning. The only time I'll see a doctor, unless it's extremely serious is when I get the flu and covid jabs. He's very keen on those because he gets paid extra for every injection.

[barry1010]

Vulcan, time to change GP.

[vulcan42]

barry, there is a rumour going round the area and I stress it's only a rumour, that when anybody tries to change, the other GP's won't accept them. The doctors have become mini dictators, only interested in making more money and less inconvenience for themselves. The first sentence on their answerphone, recorded by the doctor is " If you think it's an emergency, phone for an ambulance". In other words, don't bother me.

[naomi24]

Our GP service is like Vulcan's - abysmal.   The first message on their answeering service tells the caller they won't tolerate abuse - something I imagine they get plenty of.  Changing surgeries isn't an option.  From what I understand the others are just as bad.  Most of the doctors seem to be working from home as they did during Covid.  The last time I needed a doctor for something that couldn't wait I was obliged to pay privately.

 

As for the OP, as has been said this may not have been going on for years.

[barry1010]

Must be worth a try, Vulcan.

I get the same message when I call my GP too, re emergency.  I think that's fair, that's what 999 is for.