Back in 1985, when 33 years of age, I was offered a job as a clerk by a brewery on condition I passed a medical conducted by the company doctor. I was sent home and asked to return the following day for a second blood pressure check as I was diagnosed as suffering from hypertension. The second blood pressure check turned out to be as detrimental as the first! I was instructed to see my GP at once. I did not do so. I was relieved to get the job and was placed on 3 months' probation for work performance. I never saw a GP until 1993, when I had to change my GP due to moving house approx 50 miles. I was found to have high blood pressure, put on an ECG, and prescribed a beta blocker. I was unemployed at that time. I took a medical for China in mid 1994. as I had been offered a teaching post there. Again hypertension was diagnosed, and was recorded on the Chinese health check form by my GP, despite my having taken the beta blocker regularly.

Now I have given up taking beta blockers, though I take 1 aspirin/day - this is supposed to thin the blood. I still smoke and drink beer, but I'm fatter now as I am retired and walk much less!

Doctors don't know everything!