Essential Tests to Diagnose High Blood Pressure
The National Health Mission notes hypertension as India’s top health risk, contributing significantly to disease burden and mortality rates.
Accurately diagnosing high blood pressure involves certain tests and procedures to assess blood pressure levels, identify potential causes, and determine the most suitable treatment plan.
Important Tests to Diagnose High Blood Pressure
Some of the tests used for high blood pressure diagnosis are:
1. Blood Pressure Measurement
This test for hypertension measures diastolic pressure (when the heart rests between beats) and systolic pressure (when the heart beats), aiming to diagnose hypertension and guide treatment accurately.
2. Physical Examination
This comprehensive evaluation helps identify risk factors and signs of hypertension like obesity or diabetes.
3. Blood Tests
These tests help diagnose high blood pressure and related conditions, including cholesterol, blood glucose, and kidney function tests.
4. Urine Tests
These tests evaluate kidney function and detect potential kidney damage associated with signs of high blood pressure. They assess various components, such as protein levels (proteinuria), which can indicate kidney damage, and check for abnormal levels of blood cells, glucose, and electrolytes that may be related to high blood pressure symptoms.
5. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
This diagnostic procedure records the heart’s electrical activity, helping identify abnormal rhythms and assess heart structure and function. The ECG results evaluate heart health, detect abnormalities, and assess complications related to high blood pressure, such as left ventricular hypertrophy or arrhythmias.
6. 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
It is a monitoring test designed to provide insights into blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day and night. This test for high blood pressure aims to identify “white coat hypertension” and “masked hypertension,” assess the effectiveness of medication, and monitor blood pressure trends over an extended period.
7. Echocardiogram (Echo)
This non-invasive test creates detailed images of the heart’s structure and function using sound waves. It is particularly used in assessing cardiac health, detecting hypertension-related abnormalities, and evaluating heart function.
8. Doppler Ultrasound
It is a diagnostic test that evaluates blood flow through blood vessels, assessing patterns and identifying abnormalities contributing to high blood pressure. It assesses vascular health, detects arterial abnormalities, and identifies contributors to hypertension.
These essential tests and procedures collectively contribute to a comprehensive evaluation of high blood pressure. Healthcare providers can make informed decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management, ensuring a thorough understanding of the patient’s cardiovascular health and associated risk factors.
Consult a doctor and book a hypertension panel test with Dr Lal PathLabs for a detailed high BP diagnosis.
FAQs
- What are the new diagnostic criteria for hypertension?
Criteria include normal (less than 120/80 mmHg), elevated (systolic 120-129 mmHg), stage 1 (systolic 130-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg), and stage 2 (systolic 140 mmHg or higher) blood pressure.
