Q: I am a 45-year-old non-vegetarian. I was diagnosed with hypertension ten years back. My blood pressure was in the range of 100/135. All tests like ECG, Stress ECG, echocardiography and tread mill were found to be nwithin normal range. The doctor prescribed Amlace (5 mg amplopidine + Lisinopril 5 mg) to be taken daily which I am taking for the past 10 years. For the past few months, I am facing a minor pain in the leg muscles and in the left hand muscle while initial walking. The desire for sex has also reduced drastically and I am facing problems in erection. My family doctor advised me a TMT test. Lipid profile and ECG are normal. Is there a possibility of artery blockage?

A:The possibility of the blockages of the arteries of the heart exists with anyone and everyone specially in our subcontinent, as we cross the age of 40 years and as the risk factors increase. I do not have all the information, but at least high blood pressure is an important risk factor in you. Smoking, high levels of cholesterol, physical inactivity, stress etc. are all causes for blockages of the arteries of the heart. As a routine, we advise that one should undergo an executive health check beyond the age of 35 years, even if one is totally asymptomatic. In your case, you are hypertensive and have some sort of discomfort in the hand and therefore, I think, it is prudent for you to undergo TMT test, lipid profile and other tests as advised by your cardiologist.