What causes high BP?
Patient: Hello Doctor, I am 34 years old, and have had a high BP since having my first child in 2000. It has been controlled with medication and once i am exercising regularly, i come off the medication. Recently it has been different, remaining high at 140/90 even with medication and daily aerobics exercise for 25 mins. what can be the probem Doctor: Hello,  Regarding your concern, I would explain that high blood pressure is really uncommon at your age.   For this reason, I would recommend performing some tests in order to investigate secondary causes underlying high blood pressure values:   - complete blood count, PCR, ESR for inflammation - thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid gland dysfunction - blood electrolytes for possible imbalance - kidney and liver function tests - a Doppler ultrasound of the renal arteries in order to investigate for possible narrowing - cortisol and aldosterone plasma levels for possible adrenal gland dysfunction.   If all the above tests result normal, you should consider increasing the dose of the anti-hypertensive drugs that you are taking.   Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  Take care  Regards, Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist