Looking back on it :
Ten years ago, my blood pressure went up. Oh, by the way, around that time I also got a "fungus" under my toenails. Andrew just posted a link to this:
http://news.health.com/2011/05/20/psoriasis-high-blood-pressure-may-be-linked/
Almost two years ago, at my annual physical (including bloodwork), my family doc pronounced that I had "metabolic syndrome". The NIH definition:
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that put you at risk for heart disease anddiabetes. These conditions are
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar levels
- High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood
- Low levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, in your blood
- Too much fat around your waist
And, by the way, at the same time that my PCP pointed this out to me, I complained about sore feet. She suggested new orthotics, which I got. Still my feet got worse. Oh, and my fingernails joined in on the "fungal" fun.
Last month (very long story short) the "fungus" was identified as psoriasis, and I was diagnosed with PsA. Now I read this:
http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/about_us/arthritis_news/articles/psoriatic_arthritis_linked.aspx
The blood pressure, the "fungus", and the conditions for metabolic syndrome are all connected. I'm not saying that one caused the other, but it's a package. I'm sure of it. Hindsight's great, isn't it? ;-) So ...
How many others here have "Metabolic Syndrome" ?
(Thanks to Tighefan for bringing up the subject of high blood pressure!)