Txsqlchick and Lydia - my gyn told me the same. She did, however, advise me to get a bp cuff and check my bp at home for several weeks to see how much was "MD syndrome"
or the fact that I had been rushing around when I got to her office, or whatever. Mine had been fine for years, and then they lowered the standards it was higher than the new standard. She eventually sent me to an internist since you're right - it's not really what a gyn does. She had also been monitoring my cholesterol for several years too, as I have a family history of high cholesterol and eventually she gave me meds for that, which the internist now monitors as well. The gyn now only does my actual gyn stuff.....
And, hmmm, Meg, we've had this HR discussion before. I'm ten years older than you (63) and according to the formula, my max HR is 157, making 90% 141. I consistently hit higher than that while doing intervals on the elliptical. I probably should get an HR monitor instead of relying on the machine's readings, eh? Maybe I'll ask for one for my birthday......