I have to admit I am suspecting the same thing myself. I am in the same boat as you are, only just 53 years old and my platelet count was 1700. Healthy, exercise, eat very well. I also suspected being on multiple blood pressure medications starting in my 20's. Several in my family have that problem though, and no one else has developed ET. I'm told to not travel for work until the platelets drop below 1000. They are on the way down, but not there yet. I'm just a month into this taking Hydroxyurea and, cross my fingers, no side effects yet. The Hema. Dr. told me I can continue bicycling, but make sure I stay hydrated all the time. I'm afraid to go out alone in fear of being away from everyone and having a stroke, so I stick with the basement spinner bike now and weights.