In December 2007, University student Eric Sweeney went to the University Health Center seeking a prescription for a cold but was instead greeted with a huge surprise.
“At the health center, I went through the normal routine — check in at the front desk, get called by a nurse, have my blood pressure and temperature checked, and then be put in a room,” Sweeney said. “As soon as Dr. Kathleen Wiley entered the room, she asked me, ‘Do you have a history of high blood pressure?’”
Sweeney’s blood pressure was 160/85, abnormally high for his age. Sweeney was stunned, as he was never aware of his blood pressure level and knew his family didn’t have a history of hypertension. Wiley asked him to return to the health center the next week for a follow-up.
Sweeney said his blood pressure wasn’t expected to remain as high as it was, but in one week, his blood pressure rose even higher to about 170/90. This was a sign he had a more serious condition. Further tests determined that Sweeney’s level of creatinine in the bloodstream was three times the normal amount, an indication that something was wrong with his kidneys.
After visiting a nephrologist, Sweeney discovered he had kidney disease. Because Wiley detected the symptoms of kidney disease in its early stages, the treatment process has been much easier for Sweeney.
“I am extremely grateful to Dr. Wiley and the health center for catching my high blood pressure when they did. Their watchfulness and concern bought me two more years before I would need a kidney transplant,” Sweeney said. “Most people with kidney disease find out they have the disease when their kidneys have already failed and need to go right away on dialysis. I never had to go on dialysis because I was able to plan ahead for my transplant, a rare and wonderful luxury.”
After his experiences, Sweeney proposed the idea of a “blood pressure drive” to the Student Health Advisory Committee.
“I really wanted to create an opportunity for students to know their blood pressure. It is what saved my life, and I hope we can raise awareness about blood pressure,” Sweeney said.
Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. students can come to the EMU Fishbowl to get their blood pressure measured. The event, dubbed “Under Pressure,” is hosted by the University Health Center, Student Health Advisory Committee and Peer Health Education.
“A lot of students don’t know if they might have high blood pressure because it’s one of those things that you don’t really show symptoms for, but it can be a sign that another condition is present,” University health educator Ramah Leith said.
According to Dr. Jennifer Soyke, a local family practitioner, hypertension is caused by factors such as obesity, dietary imbalance, stress and more severe issues such as heart disease and kidney disease, as seen in Sweeney’s case.
“(Hypertension) is harmful regardless of age and always needs to be addressed,” Soyke said. “However, HTN (hypertension) in a young person can be an indication of a serious underlying problem which, if treated early, can significantly improve health and life expectancy.”
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