Ailments & Conditions

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood Tests and Imaging Tests

When a health issue causes secondary hypertension, blood tests are necessary to find out the underlying cause. There are many options available, depending on your symptoms and current health issue. Your doctor will ask a few questions to determine which test to take to diagnose hypertension. Common blood tests include thyroid function tests, blood glucose levels, electrolyte levels, as well as kidney function tests (include creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels). [2]

Many imaging tests can help diagnose high blood pressure. These include:

– MRI or CT scan: often used to evaluate the adrenal glands or kidneys for a possible tumor that would cause high blood pressure

– Echocardiogram: this test can visualize movements of the heart to help detect any abnormal heart function

– Electrocardiogram: this is a quick and simple test that can assess heart rhythm to detect abnormalities

– Ultrasound: used for abnormal blood flow in the blood vessels or kidneys [3]