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Exercise-induced Hypertension

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Aug 19, 2023 | Replies (48)

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@nancyjac

I am a 66 year old previously active woman who has played tennis for 55 years. I have asthma and mild to moderate emphysema. In the previous year I've had both a heart cath and nuclear stress test that were normal. Recently I have been experiencing heart issues including non-sustaining V-Tach. Lately when I walk, play tennis, golf or attempt mild exercise my chest gets tight, I have difficulty breathing and my leg/ thigh muscles feel like they are going to give out. Last week I had a treadmill stress test that was stopped because of those same symptoms. At about three minutes my HR was over 140 and my blood pressure reached 206/65. Needless to say this scared me. I've always had very low blood pressure. When I called to ask about the results I was told by the nurse that my EKG was normal and everything was fine. I asked the nurse to go back and ask the doctor why then did my blood pressure go so high etc. He told her that my high BP "could be an exaggerated response to the test." There was no further explanation. I have since found out through my own research that there is something called "exercise induced hypertension." Does anyone know what causes this so-called phenomenon? I'm scared. I can't even play golf or walk at a brisk pace without feeling like I am going to collapse. Since my doctor didn't seem to be alarmed I don't know what to think. This can't be normal.

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Replies to "I am a 66 year old previously active woman who has played tennis for 55 years...."

Thank you for sharing with me Mary. My blood pressure is normal at rest also. It used to be very low. I was put on Metoprolol to control my VTACH. It made my blood pressure way too low and my pulse was often in the 40's. They reduced the dosage of Metoprolol and added Propafenone which has worked controlling my VTACH.

I feel like they are dismissing my concerns as well. My cardiologist specializes in electrical issues of the heart. He says he does not treat "exercise induced hypertension." One person did suggest that I go to a Sports Cardiologist. We live in Florida. The only ones I've found are at the Cleveland Clinic and in North Carolina. I am seeing my Primary Care Doctor tomorrow. She is a really good doctor and I have a feeling she will not dismiss my concerns and will do her due diligence and research to figure it out.

I will keep posting and share what I'm being told. Thank you so much.

Nancy Jacobs

I would advise getting a 2nd opinion.