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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