Chronic hypertension laboratory findings: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 5: Line 5:


==Overview==
==Overview==
Laboratory studies are often undertaken to identify possible causes of [[secondary hypertension]], and seek evidence for end-organ damage to the heart itself or the eyes (retina) and kidneys. Diabetes and raised cholesterol levels being additional risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease are also tested for as they will also require management.
Patients identified to be hypertensive must have an initial work-up to identify the presence and extent of target organ damage. Initial work-up is important because it recognizes initial baseline values that can aid the patient and the healthcare provider in assessing the evolution of hypertension and its complications with follow-up visits and lab tests.                  A more extensive work-up is only indicated when hypertension is not controlled with appropriate therapy or initial laboratory testing suggests a specific etiology of secondary hypertension.     [[Diabetes]] and raised [[cholesterol]] levels being additional risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease are also tested for as they will also require management.
 
==Laboratory Tests==
==Laboratory Findings==
[[Blood test]]s commonly performed include:
[[Blood test]]s commonly performed include:
* [[Creatinine]] ([[renal function]]) - to identify both underlying renal disease as a cause of hypertension and conversely hypertension causing onset of kidney damage. Also a baseline for later monitoring the possible side-effects of certain antihypertensive drugs.
* [[Creatinine]] to assess [[GFR]]: to identify both underlying renal disease as a cause of hypertension and conversely hypertension causing onset of kidney damage. Also a baseline for later monitoring the possible side-effects of certain antihypertensive drugs.
* [[Electrolyte]]s ([[sodium]], [[potassium]])
* [[Electrolyte]]s ([[sodium]], [[potassium]])
* [[Glucose]] - to identify [[diabetes mellitus]]
* [[Glucose]]: to identify [[diabetes mellitus]]
* [[Cholesterol]]
* [[Lipid]] panel: Total [[cholesterol]], [[LDL]], [[HDL]] and [[triglycerides]]
* [[Urinalysis]].  Testing of urine samples for [[proteinuria]] - again to pick up underlying kidney disease or evidence of hypertensive renal damage.
* [[Glucose]]
* [[Glucose]]
* [[Blood urea nitrogen]] ([[BUN]]) / [[creatinine]]
* [[Blood urea nitrogen]] ([[BUN]]) / [[creatinine]]
* Basic metabolic panel
* [[Calcium]]
* [[Calcium]]
* [[Lipid]]s
* [[Urinalysis]]
* Urinary [[albumin]]
** Urinary [[albumin]] excretion
* [[Glomerular filtration rate]]
** Albumin/Creatine ratio
 


===Diagnostic Tests for Secondary Hypertension===
===Diagnostic Tests for Secondary Hypertension===

Revision as of 21:09, 9 March 2013

Hypertension Main page

Overview

Causes

Classification

Primary Hypertension
Secondary Hypertension
Hypertensive Emergency
Hypertensive Urgency

Screening

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Taylor Palmieri

Overview

Patients identified to be hypertensive must have an initial work-up to identify the presence and extent of target organ damage. Initial work-up is important because it recognizes initial baseline values that can aid the patient and the healthcare provider in assessing the evolution of hypertension and its complications with follow-up visits and lab tests. A more extensive work-up is only indicated when hypertension is not controlled with appropriate therapy or initial laboratory testing suggests a specific etiology of secondary hypertension. Diabetes and raised cholesterol levels being additional risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease are also tested for as they will also require management.

Laboratory Tests

Blood tests commonly performed include:


Diagnostic Tests for Secondary Hypertension

Below is a table summarizing the diagnostic tests used in the case of secondary hypertension:[1]

Diagnosis Diagnostic Tests
Chronic kidney disease Estimate GFR
Coarctation of aorta CT angiography
Cushing's syndrome and other glucocorticoid excess states including chronic steroid therapy History; dexamethasone suppression test
Drug induced/related History; drug screening
Pheochromocytoma 24 hour urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine
Primary aldosteronism and other mineralocorticoid 24-hour urinary aldosterone level or excess states 24-hour urinary aldosterone level or specific measurements of other mineralocorticoids
Renovascular hypertension Doppler flow study; magnetic resonance angiography
Sleep apnea Sleep study with O2 saturation
Thyroid/ Parathyroid disease TSH; serum PTH

References

  1. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, Cushman WC, Green LA, Izzo JL; et al. (2003). "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report". JAMA. 289 (19): 2560–72. doi:10.1001/jama.289.19.2560. PMID 12748199.

Template:WH Template:WS