Diagnosis Diagnosis of hypertension is based on three consecutive elevated blood pressure readings. Blood pressure readings, in many individuals, are highly variable. Blood pressure can be affected by medications, including over the counter medications, exercise, anxiety, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and many other variables. Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers represented as one over the other. The top number is called the systolic reading and the bottom number is called the diastolic reading.
Hypertension is present if either or, both the systolic or diastolic readings are elevated.
Primary hypertension is also called essential hypertension. With secondary hypertension, high blood pressure is caused because of some other medical problem within the body. These problems would include, but are not limited to, renal parenchymal disease, renal artery stenosis, excess aldosterone secretion, excess glucocorticoid secretion pheochromocytoma,coarctation of the aorta, thyroid dysfunction, pregnancy, and chronic use of oral contraceptives. Management Early management of hypertension involves changing lifestyle behaviors that are known to elevate blood pressure. Once diagnosed with hypertension, additional testing is required to determine the type of hypertension and any complications from hypertension that may have already occurred.