What could be the underlying cause?

[Shellieo]

Hello I was Just looking for some advice. I have been getting treated for high blood pressure on average when it’s at its highest it can be 131/147 . I have a diastolic pressure at resting. I am 37 and there is a strong family history of heart attacks at 40. I take lipinsol and also atorvastain as my cholesterol level went from 4.2 to 7.4 in the space of weeks. I don’t eat an unhealthy diet as I have teenagers so provide them with a healthy diet too. I am not overweight either. I had a recent abdominal ultrasound with has indicated I have something called fatty liver. I do not drink alcohol. I am going into hospital to have my varicose veins done as it became very quickly and prominent and they said I had signs of chronic vascular hypertension or something due to a corn beef like appearance on my skin. I had no issues with my other leg but now that also has veins showing and displays the darker coloured rash. I was just wondering if anyone else had. These Symptoms or a diagnosis for the all the conditions as one disorder? Or if any operations would be needed in the future. Any advice would be extremely helpful because the rheumatologist thinks I have fibromyalgia as I have lost quite a but muscle mass and padding in my feet. And have been prescribed codine for this. My dad had 3 triple heart bypasses and died at 57 so have no way of finding out what caused his. Also I get tired and out of breath quite often every day for the last few weeks. Even hoovering and mopping the floors requires a sit down after. Once again thank you for any reply.

[Chappychap]

"I am not overweight either. I had a recent abdominal ultrasound with has indicated I have something called fatty liver."

When you had the ultrasound did they describe this as visceral fat?

I'm not a doctor so I'm not qualified to offer a diagnosis, however the major concern with obesity isn't the fat on the outside, it's the fat deep inside the abdominal cavity that wraps around the organs like a blanket. This so called "visceral fat" is the real risk factor.

There is a small percentage of fat people who don't actually have visceral fat (even if they carry their fat around their middle), and a small percentage of slim people who do have visceral fat. Maybe you fall into this second category? In any case, with your family history it's worth checking it out.

Are you saying your systolic blood pressure is in the range 131-147? Mine was similar and during my annual company medicals I got the feedback that this was a bit high, but not all that terrible. What I now realise (after a triple bypass!) is that anything over 120/80 is in the danger zone and needs attention, be that medication, salt reduction, better diet, aerobic exercise, or other initiatives.

[Shellieo in reply to Chappychap]

Sorry for the late reply I wasn’t given any explanation or indication of the radiographer just to call the doctors in a week to discuss the results. The doctor didn’t explain either just printed off some information from a hospital website and told me as with my blood pressure and cholesterol it wasn’t my fault or could be helped just to take the medication. Sorry if I was not clear about bp readings, my bottom number diastolic is never less that a 104 and has been at points 121 the top number systolic is always 141 or above. I think they said at Resting my arteries can’t cope with high pressure, and that’s why the circulation is an issue ? Not 100% I am going to be asked to be transferred to the vascular department at a hospital so I can be hopefully investigated .

[Ianc2]

I recently had a chat with the practice nurse as she was doing my blood pressure. "What's the most effective medicine for blood pressure". She didn't hesitate for a single second "lose weight" she said. "I am inside my BMI - just", I said, She smiled and said "lose another stone - how much did you weigh when you were 20"?

So I have bought an all singing, all dancing, weighing machine, a wonderful new toy that seems to be having the desired effect, It even has social benefits. When my overweight sons come round to eat me out of house and home, I can now say have you tried the new weighing machine? Its amazing how many urgent tasks they suddenly remember.

[Shellieo in reply to Ianc2]

Well I’m glad it’s useful!! I have 3 teenagers a husband and a 11 month old granddaughter so keeping fit isn’t an option lol. I’m constantly on the go but now it’s a case of sitting down and having 5 mins after 20 mins ! My operations been cancelled tomorrow but my arms started getting really hot on the left hand side so looks like it’s a twin back to doctors again thank you for your reply