High blood pressure (in athletes)

[Crankin]

Susan, you don't need to be training for an event to be a "serious" athlete. Your lifestyle most certainly qualifies as "serious." The same way I would put myself in this category. I do think medical people have difficulty envisioning this lifestyle, especially if they are more casual exercisers or extremely competitive.
As far as the the doctor visits, what I mentioned before is pretty much my visits to my pcp. I go to the dentist 4X a year, as both of my parents had pretty bad periodontal disease and I was going in that direction. This has helped get it under control greatly. I get a mammogram yearly, and a bone density scan, as osteoporosis is the only real "thing" I have, other than allergies/asthma. I see the endocrinologist a couple of times a year, for tx of the osteoporosis.
I spent most of 2007-2008 going to various specialists to diagnose my mysterious pain, tingling, headaches, stomach issues. Although I ended up under the care of a rheumatologist for fibromyalgia, there really was no definitive diagnosis. I may have a mild presentation of the disease, as I never had the cognitive symptoms. Because of this experience, I know my body a lot better and now know the pattern of what happens if I am over training, stressed, etc. I also don't run to the doctor as much. But, my tipping point is if I think I might have bronchitis or if my asthma is acting up because of a cold or sinus infection. My asthma is 100% better and under control than it was 20 years ago, so I do not ignore that.

[tulip]

Susan, I hope you find a resolution for your husband's high blood pressure. My ex MIL had it (but was/is obese with serious anxiety and hyperchondria) and it was very difficult her and everyone around her.

I figure I am just a normal person in the doctor-visit department, but I am very fortunate that I only go when I need to, which has been very, very rare. I don't have allergies or any other issues that would require a visit. I've never been to a dermatologist, although I would have benefited as a teenager! I have olive skin and no trouble spots as far as I can tell. I have had high cholesterol in the past, but that is under control through diet and exercise, and I was never on the high end that would require meds, just careful habits.

When I was a total stressbag a few years ago, I had back issues and hip issues and sinus issues...but those went away when I changed my situation.

So I go to a nurse practitioner for an annual exam and mammo every 18-months to 2 years, and my eye doctor every year for monitoring (no active issues for 25 years, but since I only have one good eye, I err on the side of caution for that). My glasses prescription haven't changed in about 10 years or more. I suspect that will change as I creep toward 50, though! I have good intentions about going to the dentist twice a year, but it's usually only once a year, if that, for a cleaning.

I'll count my blessings and do all I can to keep it this way!

[emily_in_nc]

I guess I am guilty of under-reporting! In addition to my yearly preventive physical with my PCP, I also go to my dermatologist once a year for a full body scan (I have lots of moles but nothing has been a problem yet), get an eye exam and new glasses yearly (seems like my Rx is forever changing), and go to the dentist twice a year for cleanings. Other than that, I did just go for my first colonoscopy since I turned 50 in April, and I also went to a pain managemant doc recently for my old cycling accident injury (fractured pelvis). He prescribed a TENS unit, which has helped a LOT. So, I don't anticipate any more doctor visits for some time to come!