The Routine Hypertensive Work-up

Abstract

The hypertensive work-up should include careful evaluation of the severity of the hypertensive process, using such indicators as basal blood pressure, state of the optic fundi, cardiac size and function, and renal function. It is also important to consider the extent of any related disease, particularly arteriosclerosis and underlying renal disease. A wide variety of etiologic factors have been associated with hypertension, but in about 80 percent of cases no cause can be found.