Chronic hypertension physical examination

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Screening

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

Physical Examination

The physical examination should look for end organ disease and underlying causes of hypertension.

General

• Obesity

Skin

• Diaphoresis whould suggests a pheochromocytoma

Head

• Moon facies and Hirsutism would suggest Cushing's syndrome

Eyes

• Retinal hemorrhage
• Retinalvenous crossing changes

Neck

• Thyromegaly

Heart

• S3 and S4 would suggest heart failure

Lung exam

• Rales would suggest heart failure