I have been suffering from very high blood pressure. In 2007 when i was 27 i was diagnosed with very high blood pressure 180/120, although this was brought under control and also have diabetes. I am concerned about what problems this will cause me in the long run.
Ideally, I would like to see a specialist who can determine how bad my heart and vascaular systems is and provide the properly treatment. my GP won't refer me to a specialist and believes i am panicing for no reason.
any suggestions about how i can get referred. I don't want to be referr after its too late.
Is it possible to change your doctor?
How high is your BP now?
Do you get an annual diabetes check up at your surgery as you are supposed to and they are paid extra to do. At that check up a BP and blood glucose target level should be given that they should then try to get your levels down to. Surgeries should also run BP Clinics.... of sorts:-)
You shoild change GPs. It costs your GP $ if he refers you. He is very unethical. In the meantime, take pottasium and vitamin to along with your prescription meds to keep BP down. id you know that the best test of Dr. to go to for blood pressure os a kidnet doctor. It is true. That's what I do.
George
If he has cut down on salt he should not need extra potassium in his diet. Mylast lot of blood tests showed low sodium levels.
There is an acceptable range for each electrolyte. Only take pottasium if your test results are low in pottasium.
From NICE guidelines:
For people aged under 40 years with stage 1 hypertension and no
evidence of target organ damage, cardiovascular disease, renal disease or
diabetes, consider seeking specialist evaluation of secondary causes of
hypertension and a more detailed assessment of potential target organ
damage. This is because 10-year cardiovascular risk assessments can
underestimate the lifetime risk of cardiovascular events in these people
Is there any type of specialist or consultant my GP should refer me to? I have high blood pressure and also diabetes.
My bp now is 133/85 (ish) and I have an annual diabetes check up.
My BP target is 140/80. I am 73 and also have T2D. So, if that is your target also, you are in the zone!! As I said below, a kidney doctor (nephrologist) is the best type to help you with meds to lower BP. Mine has found the best combination of meds of all of the others combined. If you live near Pittsburgh, look up Dr. Krull.
This is UK Health so we are in the main Brits and under the thumb of the NHS:-)
I doubt with your controlled BP if you will get a referral to a specialist.
Which area do you live in?
Google Hypertension Referral Centres and see if there is one near you.
They are thin on the ground and don't operate on a daily basis. It has taken me 14 years to be referred to one and my BP is miles higher that yours was initially. I had my first appointment last week and was seen by a nephrologist. I had kidney tests a couple of years ago that were normal. He is doing more thorough ones and he said that one test does not always show up a problem and he does some of them three times.
Two things I told him that had not been thought relevant by the cardiology team were possible pointers to him.
If you are really concerned pay the the money and ask your GP to get you seen privately. Of course it will be the same person you would see at an NHS hospital but without his stop watch and with his listening hat on.
You have a right to a second opinion. Having both diabetes and high BP does put you at additional risk of cardiovascular disease in the long run. Find out who the head of your GP practice is - and request a referral to a cardiologist. If your GP is head of the practice ring NHS helpline and ask for a transfer to another practice. You are too young to be saddled with an unsupportive GP.
The good news is that because you are young there is little worry about damage yet.
What is your current BP? and what meds have you been given? Is your cholesterol OK - and do you have Type I or II diabetes?
Hope things improve.