Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is often asymptomatic, typically detected only through elevated blood pressure or BP readings.

However, in advanced stages, it may present specific symptoms indicative of vascular damage associated with organs supplied by affected vessels, known as target organ damage.

For example, cerebrovascular involvement could lead to transient ischemic attacks characterized by changes in vision, speech, dizziness, or hemiplegia.

Renal blood vessel damage might result in chronic kidney disease, while damaged coronary arteries may cause angina.

The diagnostic approach for hypertension typically includes multiple BP measurements.

Ambulatory BP monitoring involves wearing a device for 24-48 hours that records BP periodically to detect white coat hypertension, which shows elevated BP in medical settings that is normal at home, and masked hypertension where BP is normal in clinics and high elsewhere.

Additionally, blood tests evaluate kidney function, electrolytes, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels to identify secondary causes, and electrocardiograms uncover heart abnormalities.