Hypertension allows you to detect the basic test, which is the measurement of blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor. However, the diagnosis of arterial hypertension is not limited to this examination. It also includes an interview, selected laboratory tests (blood, urine) and imaging tests, which allows for an accurate assessment of the patient's he alth. Check what tests are performed with hypertension.

Hypertensionallows you to detect the basictest , which is blood pressure measurement with a blood pressure monitor. However, thediagnosis of hypertension is not limited to this study. Each patient at the time of diagnosis of hypertension should undergo a complete examination, including a careful history, physical examination, and indicated laboratory tests (blood, urine) and other diagnostic tests. These tests are performed in order to accurately assess the patient's he alth condition. They allow the causes of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors to be determined. Thanks to these tests, it is also possible to detect possible organ complications and other diseases, including the cardiovascular system, kidneys and diabetes, as well as their degree of advancement. It is also important to establish the presence of symptoms or diseases (e.g. asthma, depression) that may be important in the selection of medications for high blood pressure and the occurrence of side effects.

Hypertension - research. Interview with the patient

During the conversation with the patient, the doctor should agree:

  • duration of hypertension
  • previously determined blood pressure values ​​and treatment and its effects
  • presence of risk factors for hypertension
  • presence of comorbidities
  • family history of hypertension and cardiovascular or kidney diseases, which may indicate hereditary background
  • is the patient taking other medications that may affect the blood pressure value, as well as paying attention to symptoms that may indicate non-compliance with treatment recommendations (not remembering the names of drugs and doses, irregular visits, missing documentation)
  • Does the patient struggle with symptoms such as:

- chest pains - a possible symptom of an acute heart attack or disordersheart rhythm. Acute myocardial infarction and arrhythmias are the most common causes of death among hypertensive patients

- fainting - these can be caused by arrhythmias, transient ischemia of the brain due to carotid stenosis, orthostatic hypotension or medications

- a feeling of palpitations - this may suggest attacks of atrial fibrillation or additional contractions

- ailments from the genitourinary system - nocturia (frequent urination at night) may be a symptom of untreated arterial hypertension

- headaches, usually located in the occipital area - this is the most common ailment in the central nervous system in patients with arterial hypertension

- sleep disorders - among patients with arterial hypertension they occur with a frequency not higher than in the general population. Insomnia can sometimes be a symptom of poor blood pressure control at night.

The use of stimulants, including alcohol and smoking, should be noted, indicating the number of pack-years, weight changes and eating habits.

How to lower the pressure? Check

Important

Hypertension can be diagnosed if the mean arterial pressure values ​​(calculated from at least two measurements taken during at least two different visits to the doctor) are equal to or greater than 140 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and / or 90 mm Hg for diastolic pressure (DBP).

Hypertension - diagnosis. Physical examinations

In addition to measuring blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor, the doctor should record the patient's weight, height and calculate the body mass index (BMI). The test should include the measurement of waist circumference, which is obtained by measuring the circumference of the abdomen in a horizontal plane at the level of the upper edge of the iliac plate, in order to detect abdominal obesity.

Hypertension - diagnosis. Basic laboratory and imaging tests

There should be distinguished basic tests, necessary for each patient with arterial hypertension, extended tests performed in some patients, and specialist tests related to in-depth diagnostics.

Basic research includes:

  • blood count
  • fasting glucose
  • sodium and potassium concentration
  • total cholesterol, HDL and LDL fractions, and triglycerides
  • creatinine concentration and estimate of the amount of glomerular filtration
  • uric acid concentration
  • urine general examination ialbuminuria rating
  • electrocardiogram

Hypertension - diagnosis. Extended tests

Extended examinations are performed in patients in whom elements of the history, physical examination or additional basic examinations indicate the necessity to extend the diagnosis. Extended research includes:

  • echocardiographic examination of the heart (echo of the heart)
  • ultrasound of carotid and renal arteries
  • albuminuria assessment, and if positive, urine protein quantification
  • assessment of daily sodium and potassium excretion in urine
  • fundus examination
  • Oral Glucose Load Test
  • 24-hour ABPM (automatic blood pressure measurement)
  • 24-hour ECG recording in case of cardiac arrhythmias
  • study of ankle-brachial index i and pulse wave velocity

Specialist examinations are aimed at detecting certain organ complications (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging in people with suspected hypertensive encephalopathy), they are usually necessary to identify or rule out secondary forms of hypertension.

See the gallery of 6 photos

When and how often should you measure your blood pressure?

Source: x-news.pl/Dzień Dobry TVN

Source:Hypertension management rules - 2015, Guidelines of the Polish Society of Hypertension

Category:

Research