Hypertension - 16 Diagnostic and Laboratory Examinations

Diagnostic examination is a clinical assessment of the response of individuals, families, and the communicant to a health problem and the actual or potential life.

Results of a laboratory examination is very important in helping to diagnose , monitor the course of the disease and determining prognosis. Because it is important to know the factors that affect the results of laboratory tests.

16 Diagnostic and Laboratory Examinations for Hypertension :

1. Hemoglobin / hematocrit : assessing the relationship of cells to the volume of fluid (viscosity) and may indicate risk factors such as hypercoagulability, anemia.
2. BUN / creatinine : provides information on perfusion / kidney function.
3. Glucose : hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus is the originator of hypertension) may be caused by increased levels of catecholamines (increase hypertension).
4. Serum potassium : hypokalemia may indicate primary aldosterone (cause) or be a side effect diuretic therapy.
5. Serum calcium : increased serum calcium levels can increase hypertension.
6. Cholesterol and triglycerides in serum : increased levels may indicate the originator for / of the atheromatous plaque formation (cardiovascular effects)
7. Examination of the thyroid : hyperthyroidism can lead to vasoconstriction and hypertension.
8. Urine and serum aldosterone levels : to test the primary aldosteronism (cause).
9. Urinalysis : blood, protein and glucose suggests renal dysfunction or the presence of diabetes.
10. VMA urine (metabolites of catecholamines) : the increase may indicate the presence of pheochromocytoma (cause) ; Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), a 24- hour, urine : it can be used for assessment of pheochromocytoma when intermittent hypertension.
11. Gout : hyperuricemia has been the implication as a risk factor for hypertension.
12. Steroids urine : the increase may indicate hyperadrenalism, pheochromocytoma or pituitary dysfunction, Cushing 's syndrome ; renin levels may also increase.
13. IVP : can identify the causes of hypertension , such as renal parenchymal disease , renal and ureteral stones .
14. Chest x-ray : may show calcification in the area of ​​valve obstruction ; deposit on and / ECG or aortic notch ; enlarged heart .
15. CT scans : assessing cerebral tumor, CSV, encephalopathy, or pheochromocytoma.
16. ECG : may show enlarged heart, a strain pattern, conduction disturbances. Note : Size, P wave elevation is one of the early signs of hypertensive heart disease.