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Doctor cannot figure out blood pressure problem

Hi, this question is actually for my girlfriend.  She's very stubborn and won't seek help anywhere else than her Dr. but its been almost 3 months and he hasn't figured out her blood pressure.  She is 29, she exercises regularly and is in great shape.  She runs, and does yoga as well as pilates.  She eats normally eats healthy with the exception of chips or snack now and then.  Overall she's in great shape and hasn't had any problems before.

Her blood pressure readings have been very high (165/125).  The Dr. has had get go for many different blood tests and he has tried her on medication.  He has tried different dosages and couldn't control it because it was going too low when on it so he took her off the medication and it went back up again.  She drinks plenty of water.  Always has a water bottle with her.  She also gets headaches a lot it seems.  She sleeps well for the most part.  Goes to bed early.  Usually sleeps through the night.  I am very nervous for her.  
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Avatar universal
BP can be tricky to get under control.  Luckily there are a TON of medications out there to try.  It can take months of tweaking dosages/different meds to get it right.  

Not doing anything at all is a very BAD idea.  BP in the range you posted could cause a stroke; she could lose her speech, ability to walk, even her life.  

For many years people died or became horribly disbabled due to stroke induced high BP.  Thank GOD we have such effective meds.   I'm glad she is healthy, but sometimes, you can be the most elite athlete in the world and STILL have high blood pressure...caused by genetics.  

I hope she uses her stubborn nature to NOT give up searching for the exact right combo of meds to get her pressure under control.  Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Most specialists and even your normal Doctor, would request a 24 monitor to get the averages. Also to see if there is a dip at night.
Request a 24 hr monitor. You could even get it at some pharmacies.
Put it this way; you have 2 choices, do nothing and pretend all is ok, while you will be sub consciously worrying about it a lot of the time.
Option 2 would be to take action. Stubborn or not she needs to take action
you need to be in posession of the full facts of whats going on before you can look at flying. You would presume it would be fine. . . . but
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply.  She was on meds for about a month.  He would try one dosage for up to a week and then try another. He actually had I right I believe and sent her to get blood work done to see something.  Then said it doesn't make sense she shouldn't be on meds and took her off again.  Its been confusing haha.  He definitely has sent here for many blood tests and tested her heart with a dye test all was well with her heart thankfully.  He hasn't mentioned her getting a blood pressure monitor for home which I thought was odd since it is so high.  She doesn't want one anyway (again very stubborn!).  I figure maybe she will get a different reading when she's home and relaxed.  

Another question about her blood pressure.  Is it ok to fly with her blood pressure like that?  Any suggestions on what she can do in order to fly?
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Avatar universal
Hi there. The numbers are quit high alright, considering her fit state and good diet. Its usually a fairly slow process to tweek the BP meds to get them right.
You will need to be a little patient. I would suggest that it may be worth while thoroughly investigating secondary causes of the high BP. There are a number of hormone issues that can cause it to shoot up, Thoroyid issues and adrenal problems and Kidney issues. Be sure its fully investigated. Some docs tend to just go straight for the BP meds and then go up with doses too. Its a little strange that the doc took her off the meds so quick? usually they are just happy the bp is  down when they get low readings. Investigate all avenues. Hope things work out, its a worry, but dont let it take your headspace over!
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