I am a 65 year old male with untreated blood pressure in the 165/90 range. I regularly walk 2-3 miles 5 nights per week. Doctor prescribed beta blocker (antenolol) and then a diuretic. Blood pressure dropped to the 138/82 range. The beta blocker caused no noticeable side affects, but adding the diuretic caused me to have dizzy spells and near fainting. Went off the diuretic for a couple of weeks, then back on and had the same side-effects. I have decided not to take the diuretic. Blood pressure now in the 148/86 range. I will be seeing the doctor for a better option. Published: September 17 ::

My blood pressure was 150/90 in 2004. I was initially prescribed 50 mg of atenolol. After a year, my blood pressure was still around 150/90 and the doctor suggested increasing the dose to 100 mg. At 100 mg of atenolol, my blood pressure was around 145/90, and I lived with this for the next four years. I consulted another doctor in 2009, and he put me on 5 mg of amlodipine and 50 mg of atenolol. My blood pressure dipped to 125/82! I have always been physically active and careful with my diet, and I wondered why my blood pressure could not be lowered. Finally, I was prescribed the correct cocktail. How do I feel? As if something has been lifted off my chest! Published: September 10 ::

I've had hypertension since I was 35, and now I’m 56. In all these years, I've been on 14 different medications with little success in lowering my blood pressure. I've had numerous tests to find out why I am like this but no red flags. I have lived and still live a very stressful life and suffer with generalized anxiety disorder, which I keep telling my doctor is the reason my blood pressure can't be controlled. He now wants me to take Coreg, which will make five medications that he wants me on. I think that throwing pills at the problem is not the answer. How easy to pull out that old prescription pad and never get to the root of the problem. I have taken matters into my own hands and see a psychologist to help me deal with my stress. Hopefully, I will get a handle on my anxiety and my blood pressure. I am not overweight and actually have lost 12 pounds in the past year. I don't smoke or drink, but I am fearful of getting very active due to the anxiety. Life is such a downer anymore. Published: September 10 ::

I went for a routine gynecological exam the other day and while I was there my blood pressure was 207 over 135. They told me this was extremely dangerous. They had me sit and relax with my feet up for a while and when they took it again it was 232/139. They told me to go directly to the emergency room I was in danger of a stroke. I went to the ER where I was admitted almost immediately and put on IV blood pressure medications to lower it. It went down to 199 then 186. They had to keep increasing the doses. They gave me a CT scan in case I suffered a minor stroke. Thank goodness the scan came back fine. They gave me an EKG and put me on a cardiac monitor and I had to sleep with it so I could be monitored. The following morning I was visited by a cardiologist and put on 3 different blood pressure pills and told I had to spend another night in the hospital so they could monitor me. At that time my BP was 166, going down to 146 by night time. All my blood tests including checking enzymes for kidney problems were fine. The following day it was 136/80 and I was cleared to go home with 3 prescriptions for daily intake in hand. Here's the kicker, I had no symptoms whatsoever. I am only 42 years old. I am a non smoking vegetarian and I am not overweight. I do however have an extensive family history of high blood pressure. My parents and Uncle are all on medication for it. Genetically it was enough to land me in this position. I now have to remain on the meds and see a cardiologist regularly. VERY SCARY stuff and all without a warning. Keep my story in mind and get your pressure checked. It just might save your life!!!! Published: January 07 ::

I am a 39 year old male. My father and mother both had high blood pressure. When I was in my 20s, I was running marathons, but my blood pressure was still fluctuating between pre-hypertension and stage 1. In my 30s, life took over; I stopped running and gained weight. At age 36, I noticed more headaches, labored breathing, dizziness and nausea. I went to the hospital when I felt tingling in my arm. My blood pressure was 182/119. Luckily, the rest of me was in good shape. I was placed on medication and my BP came down to normal. I lived this way until recently, when I decided to start running again. I am trying what is called the DASH diet for high blood pressure. If possible, my goal is to get off the medication through strict diet and exercise. It may be called the silent killer, but I definitely experienced strong symptoms when I reached Stage 2. Take care of yourselves all! Published: March 16 ::

Have just come out of hospital following emergency brain surgery to bypass a brain aneurysm. This was a complete shock for me and my family. I have always had high blood pressure, apart from during pregnancy, and apart from measuring my blood pressure on a mobile unit for 6 weeks, I have had no medication for this. One of the side effects of a brain aneurysm can be bleeds on the brain, so I have since discovered! I have left hospital with very little information, and am doing my own research online! I need to talk to my GP about my experience, and sort out some treatment for my high blood pressure! Published: February 16 ::