Diagnostic Tests for High blood pressure

Diagnostic Test list for High blood pressure:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of High blood pressure includes:

Blood pressure
- Sitting and standing in both arms
- If initial reading is high ( diastolic over 90mmHg and/or systolic over 140mmHg) repeat the measurement after 5 minutes of rest
- If only systolic reading is high may suggest hyperthyroidism, aortic insufficiency and arteriosclerotic aortitis
- If high blood pressure is paroxysmal may suggest phaeochromocytoma
- If blood pressure is high in arms but normal when taken in legs suggests coarctation of the aorta
Measure BMI using weight and height
Physical examination
- Examine for possible organ damage due to high blood pressure and also for possible secondary causes of high blood pressure
- Examine the back of the eyes for retinal damage due to high blood pressure
- Compare timing of radial and femoral pulses . If not synchronous, suggests coarctation of aorta
- Cardiovascular examination including heart rate and rhythm, signs of enlarged heart and heart murmurs
- Lung examination for signs of congestive heart failure - e.g. crackles in lung bases.
- Abdominal examination for enlargement of the aorta (suggestive of aortic aneurysm), enlarged liver ( suggestive of alcoholism) and flank mass. The presence of a flank mass should suggest kidney cancer, hydronephrosis and polycystic kidneys
- Examine the legs for evidence of peripheral vascular disease - e.g. absent or reduced pulses and loss of hair on legs.
- 24 hour Blood pressure monitoring - can be useful in diagnosis of high blood pressure (including "white coat" hypertension) and in evaluating the results of medication.
Urine tests
- Urine analysis - testing for glucose, protein, white cells, blood.
- Urine microscopy - looking for red and white cells and casts.
- Urine culture - only if urine analysis is abnormal.
- Other Urine tests - 24 hour urinary catecholamines, 24 hour urinary aldosterone level, 24 hour urinary free cortisol only if specifically indicated.
Blood tests
- Full blood count and ESR
- Electrolytes
- Renal function tests (Urea and Creatinine)
- Uric acid
- Cholesterol
- Plasma renin level only if specifically indicated
ECG
Radiological investigations
- Chest X-Ray ( to detect enlarged heart)
- Other investigations are not routine and should only be performed is specifically indicated - e.g. renal ultrasound scan , intravenous pyelogram (IVP), retrograde pyelography, MRI angiography and renal angiography.
Cystoscopy only if specifically indicated
Sphygmomanometer (arm cuff blood pressure test)
Home blood pressure tests
Finger cuff blood pressure test

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to High blood pressure causes:

Tests and diagnosis discussion for High blood pressure:

The only way to know whether your blood pressure is high is to have a health professional measure it. The result is expressed as two numbers. The top number, which is called the systolic pressure, represents the pressure when your heart is beating. The bottom number, which is called the diastolic pressure, shows the pressure when your heart is resting between beats. Your blood pressure is considered normal if it stays below 130/85 (expressed as "130 over 85"), but recent studies suggest that people with kidney disease should keep their blood pressure even lower. (Source: excerpt from High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease: NIDDK)

An easy test measures blood pressure. It uses an inflatable cuff around an arm. If the pressure is high, the test will be repeated on several days to get an accurate reading. You probably have had such a test on a visit to your doctor. The test gives two numbers: The systolic pressure is the pressure of blood in the vessels as the heart beats. The diastolic pressure is the pressure of the blood between heartbeats. The numbers are usually written like a fraction with the systolic above or to the left. An example is 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury), a normal adult blood pressure. Both numbers count. Your blood pressure is high if the systolic pressure is 140 or above, or the diastolic pressure is 90 or above, or both are high. (Source: excerpt from Heart Disease & Women Controlling High Blood Pressure A Woman's Guide: NHLBI)

Although the average blood pressure reading for adults is 120/80, a slightly higher or lower reading (for either number) may not be a problem. High blood pressure is diagnosed when the reading consistently exceeds 140/90. (Source: excerpt from HEART AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: NWHIC)

To test blood pressure, a doctor or nurse places a cuff around your arm above the elbow, pumps air into the cuff, and then reads the measurements as the air is let out. The test is painless and takes only a few minutes. (Source: excerpt from High Blood Pressure -- Age Page -- Health Information: NIA)

Conditions listing medical symptoms: High blood pressure:

The following list of conditions have 'High blood pressure' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Conditions listing medical complications: High blood pressure:

The following list of medical conditions have 'High blood pressure' or similar listed as a medical complication in our database.

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