Hypertension (also called high blood pressure) affects many people in the world today. Hypertension occurs when your blood pressure is constantly elevated at 140/90 mm Hg or higher. There are two types of hypertension (essential and secondary). Essential hypertension is when there is no known cause for your elevated blood pressure. Secondary hypertension is when there is an identifiable reason for your high blood pressure (such as a medical complication, disease or drugs. Luckily, this illness is treatable, but you must first determine the cause of secondary hypertension.
Instructions
1. Schedule an appointment with your medical doctor or healthcare provider. In order to determine the cause of secondary hypertension, your doctor must give you an evaluation and certain tests in order to pinpoint the exact reason for secondary hypertension. Some of the common causes for secondary hypertension include diabetes, kidney disease, sleep apnea, drugs or alcohol, MAOIs, certain birth control methods, cancer and hypothyroidism.
2. Meet with your doctor and talk to him about your hypertension. Your doctor begins by asking you about your symptoms, current medications you’re taking and lifestyle behavior (such as tobacco and alcohol consumption). He also gives you a medical evaluation and physical examination. Be sure to ask your doctor questions and let him know if you have any concerns about the testing procedures.
3. Complete the required laboratory tests. Your doctor must confirm whether or not you have any signs of complications to your kidneys, heart, eyes and other organs in your body. Therefore, she gives you one or more of the following tests in order to better understand your current health status: urinalysis, complete blood count, blood chemistry profile (such as potassium, sodium and glucose levels), lipid profile (cholesterol levels), electrocardiogram and x-rays of the kidneys.
4. Wait for your test results. You should have your test results within a week and your doctor, healthcare provider or a nurse, contacts you when your results are back from the laboratory.
5. Return to the doctor’s office and discuss the test results with him. Your doctor informs you of the results and lets you know the specific reason for your secondary hypertension. He discusses treatment options with you and informs you of what you should do next.
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