I went three weeks ago to for an annual specialist f/u doc appt, and happen to have my blood pressure checked during the visit on par with routine; though normally I have really low blood pressure, for forever, it was sky high. I had to go to my GP for a shot the following week, which is no big deal for me, asked them to check it then for a follow up, it was sky high as well. The nurse called me later that day after talking with my doctor, and the doc asked me to check my BP twice a day over the course of this last week and will give them the numbers on Monday.

The numbers all week have been bad, even the resting one in the morning when I wake up. I am really concerned. I know have been under a lot of stress with this new job that will not be going away anytime soon, stressful job and situation. High BP runs in the family but shows up in the teens not this late in life, perhaps I have been lucky. A few months ago, my BP before this job was fine, really low in fact; is it really this job or what else could have caused the change so dramatically, or just a time bomb with all the stresses over the course of the last year, or just genetic?!

I am really worried though and wondering if the symptoms I am experiencing can be attributed to it (?); need to research it today because I do not feel like myself plus dizziness and tightness in my chest. Not real thrilled at the possibility of starting another medication and wondering what else can do to help it. I guess I will be doing a lot of research today now that I have the weekend off.

What did your doc do when discovered you had high blood pressure? Are there more tests that get done? At what point might they consider medication? What do I need to know about the meds for treating it, if this is the decision? Are there things that can be done to help it without medication?

Thanks in advance for your insight and help!