Young hypertension - and Now it's KM's Story.

Following my extensive history taking of YM's high blood pressure case, I managed to persuade her live siblings, a sister and a younger brother to come to my clinic for screening and investigations. Attend the clinic they did.

Her younger sister MM had normal Blood pressure but was advised to return in six months for another check-up and unfortunately her younger brother, 30-year old KM was found to have high blood pressure. So high at 190/120 that an instant blood pressure lowering drug had to be given on the spot!

Actually following the death of his  elder brother at the age of 29 due to a stroke the year before had made KM visit a government clinic early this year. He was investigated under a protocol of young hypertension where a kidney and hormone profile were studied for any curable abnormalities. An ultrasound investigation was performed and the radiologist reported that it was normal. So the referring primary care doctor informed KM that the investigation was normal as well.

And so KM thought that as his kidneys and relevant hormone level were normal,  he did not need the medication given to him earlier by the doctor. He stopped taking the medications for the last three months and had been suffering from headaches and tiredness since then. He did not return to the clinic. Instead he came to mine because his sister YM persuaded him to.

I could see that KM requires more education on his medical condition. Not only education but motivation and support as well. Now,  here is a young man who has this chronic disease and is supposed to take lifelong medication. He obviously does not understand it and greatly resents the thought that he needs daily medication. His job as a tourists' guide also makes taking and remembering to take daily medication a chore. Disease and medication counseling are essential in his case.

It is critical for him to accept his condition and be on lifelong treatment. I gently told him that we all could not choose our parents and hence our genetic make-up.

He defaulted treatment earlier because he did not understand his disease condition, its complications and prognosis. I have focused on disease advocacy, explaining his conditions and the medications and blood monitoring that he needs. So far KM has been responsive and I hope he continues to be so for his sake. Currently his blood pressure is stable and his organs such as the liver and kidneys are showing parameters that are within normal limits. And so far he has kept all his appointments with me.

I pray for all the KMs of this world.