clinical indicators of secondary hypertension
Last edited 11/2018 and last reviewed 08/2021
A secondary cause of hypertension may be indicated by:
- BP lability, episodic pallor and dizziness (pheochromocytoma)
- snoring, hypersomnolence (obstructive sleep apnea)
- prostatism (chronic kidney disease due to post-renal urinary tract obstruction)
- muscle cramps, weakness (hypokalemia from primary aldosteronism or secondary aldosteronism due to renovascular disease)
- weight loss, palpitations, heat intolerance (hyperthyroidism)
- edema, fatigue, frequent urination (kidney disease or failure)
- history of coarctation repair (residual hypertension associated with coarctation)
- central obesity, facial rounding, easy bruisability (Cushing’s syndrome)
- medication or substance use (e.g., alcohol, NSAIDS, cocaine, amphetamines)
- absence of family history of hypertension (1)
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