Diagnostic tests for hypertension

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Diagnostic tests for hypertension

Primary hypertension is usually asymptomatic. Elevation in blood pressure after repeated measurement at a different interval is the most useful way to diagnose hypertension.

Diagnostics for secondary hypertension

Causes Physical examination Laboratory findings Tests
Renal parenchymal disease Mass in abdomen Presence of protein, erythrocytes, or leucocytes in the urine
Decreased Glomerular Filteration Rate		 Renal ultrasound
All laboratory tests related to kidney
Renal artery stenosis Abnormal sound (bruit) in the abdomen Difference of >1.5 cm in length between the two kidneys
Decrease in renal function		 Renal doppler ultrasound,
Magnetic resonance angiography,
Spiral computed tomography
Primary aldosteronism Arrhythmias Hypokalemia, presence of adrenal masses Estimation of aldosterone and renin ratio, oral sodium loading, Captopril tests, Adrenal CT scan.
Pheochromocytoma Skin stigmata of neurofibromatosis presence of adrenal or extra-adrenal masses CT or MRI of the pelvis,
Genetic screening for pathogenic mutations
Cushing syndrome central obesity, moon-face, buffalo hump, red striae, hirsutism Hyperglycaemia 24-hr urinary cortisol excretion,
Dexamethasone-suppression test

Other laboratory investigations for hypertension

  • Haemoglobin
  • Fasting blood glucose
  • Cholesterol profile
  • Fasting serum triglycerides
  • Kidney function tests
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate
  • Urine analysis test
  • 12 lead EKG
  • Hemoglobin A1c
  • Quantitative proteinuria
  • ECG
  • Holter monitoring
  • Carotid ultrasound
  • Pulse wave velocity
  • Ankle-brachial index
  • Ambulatory BP monitoring

Complications of hypertension

If hypertension remains untreated, it can produce complications such as the following:

  • Ventricular hypertrophy
  • Heart failure
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Stroke
  • Renal failure
  • Retinopathy
  • Chronic disease
  • Difficulty in understanding and retention of memory
  • Dementia
  • Metabolic syndrome

Published by laura