The Testimonials

My experience with high blood pressure began in my early 50s.

Being overweight and experiencing periods of stress, I began to experience rapid heartbeats while resting. Since I had a blood pressure monitor at home, I started recording my blood pressure readings. The numbers were higher than normal, but I didn't worry too much, thinking that with a little rest and trying to reduce stress, they would gradually decrease. Although I tried hard to bring them down, the numbers only increased over time, to the point where I called the pharmacy for fear of going to the hospital. I was recommended to contact my doctor as soon as possible.

I was prescribed blood pressure medication which I reluctantly agreed to take. I felt like a failure because I had to take this pill. I felt like I hadn't taken care of my health by gaining weight and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

I started making small changes, walking every day, paying more attention to what I ate, etc. After a year, I lost about twenty pounds, which allowed me to reduce the amount of medication I needed. I continue to take my medication. My blood pressure is now well controlled and I feel good.

My story of high blood pressure began during my first pregnancy.

It was during an obstetrics appointment, for my pregnancy follow-up, that the doctor suspected something abnormal in my blood pressure. At 32 weeks, my pressure being high, I was sent for slightly more precise tests at the CHUS de Fleurimont, in Sherbrooke.

I was then diagnosed with preeclampsia. Anxious, and waiting for information, I had explanations from 5 or 6 doctors before understanding exactly what it was. My blood pressure was quite high, so I was hospitalized at 34 weeks, for a total of 2 weeks, including my delivery. I had daily monitoring to check my state of health, as well as that of my baby, accompanied by a group of professionals (nurses, medical interns and doctors) who were attentive and incredibly kind. I was given medication during my hospital stay to control my high blood pressure and continued this medication for a few days after returning home. Everything came back to normal afterwards.

After leaving the hospital, I talked to people around me and learned that more people than you think experience preeclampsia. Some have experienced it or others have known people around them, but it’s not something you hear a lot about. Which can be worrying when we learn that we have it, especially during a first pregnancy.

My daughter is in perfect health, full of curiosity and smiles, we couldn't wish for better! Our little family is not finished, we would like to have other children eventually. We don't know what the next pregnancy will bring, which can be worrying given that I'm more at risk of experiencing some of the same kind of situation again. We have more information now and we will continue to stay informed to keep our family healthy!

High blood pressure came into my life around the age of 43. First associated with family history, a sign of menopause or stress, so I took medication to control my hypertension for about 13 years.

It was during an x-ray for another medical situation that the radiologist noticed an abnormality on one of my adrenal glands, which turned out to be an adenoma. It was at this time, in 2018, that I was taken care of by a team from the Sacré-Cœur hospital in Montreal. My potassium was below normal.

I was then diagnosed with hyperaldosteronemia or Conn syndrome which was causing my hypertension. So I had several tests and was followed by nephrology to come to the conclusion that it would be preferable to proceed with a unilateral adrenalectomy.

At the beginning, I admit that the operation wasn't on my list of options.

However, after discussing my fears with the nephrologist, I made the decision to proceed with the operation in 2019. Less than two weeks after the operation, I was no longer taking medication and am now in the normal range of blood pressure... except when I go to my medical appointments. The famous white coat syndrome!

Primary hyperaldosteronism is a relatively common (up to 20%) adrenal gland disease that causes high blood pressure. In some people, it is possible to cure the disease, and the high blood pressure, with surgery.