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← Return to Diastolic blood pressure
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Hello @evittan and welcome to Connect,
As @kanaazpereira has said, a second opinion is a very good idea right now.
High blood pressure as you have noted, is something you need to follow up on. If you do have a rare disease, as your cardiologist has suggested, even more of a reason to seek a second opinion at a multi-disciplined medical system like university medical school or a facility like Mayo Clinic.
Have you ever had a pulmonary stress test? This is where you walk on a treadmill (or pedal on an exercise bike) while wearing a mask over your face that registers your breathing as you walk on the treadmill. Your blood pressure and heart rate are also monitored. Here is a link to an article from the NIH regarding this procedure, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2734442/. Down on this page, there is also a picture of how the test is done.
A major heart center would be the best choice right now. If you live near one I would encourage to go there for a second opinion. Here is a U.S. News report on the major heart centers, perhaps you can find one near to you, https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery
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Thank you Teresa. The NP Pulmonologist suggested a cardio pulmonary stress test (Is that the right term?), the one where I do the stress test while they draw blood. My rheumotologist, neurologist, and GP were all unfamiliar with this, and they didn't order one. They said the Pulmonologist needs to order it, but the pulmonologist (NP) said she wouldn't since there was no pulmonary problem. I will keep pursuing this.