High Blood Pressure
Symptoms
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Patients can be seen in
Candover Clinic or The Hampshire Clinic, Basingstoke.
We are now offering video consultations.
Cardiology Consultation
Having high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a very common condition in the UK. If left untreated, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney failure. Your blood pressure measurements may be high even if you take a number of medications to treat it. It is not uncommon for persistently high blood pressure to be caused by kidney, adrenal, or aorta problems. The following tests can be used to identify the cause of high blood pressure:
Kidney And Adrenal Ultrasound Doppler
There are several blood and urine tests that will be done including a 24-hour urine analysis and specialized blood tests designed to determine whether an adrenal gland problem has caused the high blood pressure. Plasma metanephrine levels are the blood tests the doctor refers to.
CT Or MRI Scan Of The Heart And Aorta
Sometimes you will need to have investigation of the anatomy of the heart and blood vessels as there may be underlying conditions which you have not been diagnosed with that is driving your high blood pressure. One of these conditions is coarctation of the aorta, an uncommon condition which you may have born with where part of the aorta is significantly narrowed and this leads to your body maintaining a high blood pressure so that the vital organs are perfused.
24 hour blood pressure monitor
A 24-hour blood pressure monitor may be necessary if there is any doubt about the effectiveness of your blood pressure control. This is a portable blood pressure monitor that you wear for 24 hours. The blood pressure cuff that is wrapped around your arm inflates every 30 minutes as you go about your day-to-day activities. As a result, your blood pressure is more accurately measured than when it was recorded at your doctor’s office for the first time. It is also helpful if you think your blood pressure only goes up when you see the doctor – a term called white coat hypertension.
You may require more specialist treatment if you cannot tolerate several different blood pressure medications.