I was diagnosed with HBP when I was 42. It has been well managed with atenolol, 25mg, diet and exercise. Now, 15 years later, it has not been well managed with atenolol. Still eating well and exercising, it shot uo to 160/110 (was consistently 120/80).

We doubled the dose to 50 mg, no change. My PCP ordered a stress test which i passed with a "nothing remarkable" comment from the physiologist in charge of the test.

Since then, we have changed the meds to cozaar (sp?) and hydrochlorathizide which seems to help.

I did go to a cardiologist for a consult and he basically told me to change to those meds and lose 10 pounds.

Here's my concern. Whenever I do anything "cardio" whether it be treadmill, elliptical machine or just walking up more than one flight of stairs, I get dizzy and my heart rate races. Yesterday, I had a needle biopsy of my prostate and despite taking my meds religiously, my BP going in was 158/110. After the procedure, it went up to 162/108...rested and it stayed at 160/110. Rested longer, a half hour, and it finally came down to 155/100.

My question is, I guess, what could have happened to cause my problems in the first place, since I was doing so well for so long? I believe that since I look so healthy, that I work out when I feel up to it, that my doctors aren't looking for "something else" that could be causing the light-headedness/dizzyness that occurs whenever I increase my heart rate with cardio exercise.

My PCP is out on medical leave, so I don't have someone who knows my history to talk to about this....I get the bums rush, you look healthy, take you meds, your time is up when I talk to the other doctors.

So....whaddyagot for me?