VennaWinters
Dear Kirkland, I am not a doctor, but from what I have learned by reading and taking a class I took in nutrition, hypertension is caused by the foods you eat. High sodium foods will cause you to develop hypertension. Hypertension can also be inherited. Having a kidney trauma didn't cause hypertension. You most likely had hypertension for a while and didn't know it that is why it is called the silent killer. If you watch your diet and always exercise you will get your blood pressure under control and maybe your doctor will take you off the medications. Also, some medications can make you have migranes and you might need to change medications to see what fit well with you. Some medications are too strong and causes migraines. If you eat properly, try not to eat processed foods, that means Tv dinners, hamburger helpers,etc., because those foods have really high sodium in them. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, not canned or frozen. Frozen fruits and vegetables are okay but try to eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat plenty of greens vegetables like collars, mustards and turnips greens, broccoli, green beans and romaine lettuce only. Smoke meats are high in sodium, sausages and hot dogs are processed foods, stay away from hot dogs. To live longer you must change your diet or life will be shorten. When you are really stressed it is important to work out, go to the gym. There is more hypertension in the African American culture than any other because we like to cook with pork. I stop eating pork when I was about 25. You probably were referred to a cardiologist because hypertension can lead to heart failure and other illnesses. If you start now eating balanced meals low in sodium you can avoid your arteries clogging up causing a heart attack and dying prematurely. One other thing that a young man should now about his health, eat plenty of tomatoes at least twice a week that will reduce your chances of getting prostate cancer. And drink plenty plenty of water, try not to drink more than one glass of soda pop. Take care of yourself and I hope I was able to help you with your concerns. Let me know how things work out for you. Oh I am 39 and African American woman living in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, I am from Ohio.