Chronic hypertension history and symptoms
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Hypertension Main page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, Serge Korjian, Taylor Palmieri
Overview
Thorough history-taking is crucial for the diagnosis and assessment of hypertension. Not only should history-taking be targeted to identify symptoms consistent with high blood pressure, but more importantly it should address risk factors and target organ damage. History-taking alone may be sufficient to diagnose some causes of secondary hypertension, such as drug-induced hypertension, and may guide healthcare providers towards individualized work-up and tailored management.
History
The vast majority of patients with hypertension are asymptomatic. Nonetheless, a thorough history-taking is still crucial for the diagnosis and assessment of hypertension. History-taking must always address possible risk factors and target organ damage. Additionally, history taking alone may be sufficient to diagnose some causes of secondary hypertension, such as drug-induced hypertension, and may substantially alter work-up and management. However, it is important to note that the diagnosis of hypertension cannot be made on one blood pressure measurement and symptoms alone. Frequent follow-up is thus necessary for appropriate diagnosis.
Symptoms
Most patients with hypertension are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Common symptoms are listed below:
Symptoms Suggestive of Secondary Hypertension
Other symptoms that might suggest secondary etiologies of hypertension include:
- Sleep apnea is suggested by obesity, snoring and apnea
- Hyperaldosteronism is suggested by fatigue, headache, intermittent paralysis, muscle weakness, and numbness
- Pheochromocytoma is suggested by the triad of a headache, sweating, and palpitations in a young person
- Cushing's syndrome is suggested by a rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity), a round face often referred to as a "moon face", excess sweating, insomnia, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea, infertility and psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety.[1]
- An extensive list of drugs can be associated with hypertension. The most common agents include immunosuppressive agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptive pills, some weight loss agents, stimulants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, triptans, ergotamines, and sympathomimetics.[2]
Blood Pressure History
- Current blood pressure values outside clinic
- Previous blood pressure values
Risk Factors
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Tobacco
- Medications
- Family history
- Alcohol
- Dyslipidemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Known cardiovascular diseases
- Known kidney diseases
- Diet
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
Target Organ Damage
Heart
- Angina
- Prior MI
- Prior coronary revascularizations
- Aneurysm
- Symptoms of heart failure
- Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Brain
- Stroke
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Dementia
Kidneys
- Proteinuria
- Hematuria
- Renal failure
Eyes
- Retinopathy
2013 ESH/ESC Guidelines For The Management of Arterial Hypertension (DO NOT EDIT)[3]
Summary of Recommendations on History (DO NOT EDIT)[3]
| Class I |
| "1. It is recommended to obtain a comprehensive medical history and physical examination in all patients with hypertension to verify the diagnosis, detect causes of secondary hypertension, record CV risk factors, and to identify OD and other CVDs.. (Level of Evidence: C)" |
| "2. Obtaining a family history is recommended to investigate familial predisposition to hypertension and CVDs.(Level of Evidence: B)" |
References
- ↑ Yudofsky, Stuart C. (2007). The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Pub, Inc. ISBN 1585622397. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Onusko E (2003). "Diagnosing secondary hypertension". Am Fam Physician. 67 (1): 67–74. PMID 12537168.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Authors/Task Force Members. Mancia G, Fagard R, Narkiewicz K, Redon J, Zanchetti A; et al. (2013). "2013 ESH/ESC Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension: The Task Force for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)". Eur Heart J. 34 (28): 2159–219. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/eht151. PMID 23771844.