Hypertension is one of the most commonly found non-communicable diseases in India as well as all over the world. The prevalence of hypertension in India is considerably high owing to lifestyle changes, low awareness among people, lack of medical facilities and poor control.
Hypertension can be defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm of Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm of Hg.
The diagnosis of hypertension can be ascertained based on an average of two or more readings taken on two or more visits after the first screening.
Hypertension can be differentiated into the following grades based on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings
| Grade Of Hypertension | Systolic Blood Pressure (mm of Hg) | Diastolic Blood Pressure (mm of Hg) |
| Grade I (mild) | 140 – 159 | 90 – 99 |
| Grade II (moderate) | 160 – 179 | 100 – 109 |
| Grade III (severe) | Greater than 180 | Greater than 110 |
| Isolated systolic hypertension | Greater than 140 | Less than 90 |
This is also called as masked hypertension. People having this type of hypertension are generally free from anti-hypertensive medications. These patients do not require any medications since their blood pressure is normal on all occasions except when they visit a doctor, a clinic or a hospital setting.
Hypertension can also be divided into two major types depending upon the underlying causes.
| Primary Hypertension | Secondary Hypertension |
| This type is also called essential hypertension. The cause of this type of hypertension is mostly unknown but can also occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. | About 2-3% of all cases of hypertension fall under this category. Secondary hypertension may occur due to a variety of renal and endocrine factors. |
Causes
| Causes Renal Causes
Endocrine Causes
Other Causes
|
Often, patients may remain asymptomatic and high blood pressure is detected as an accidental when people visit the doctor for screening for some other illness.
However, some of the signs and symptoms associated with high blood pressure may be
No. High blood pressure can only be detected and monitored using a blood pressure apparatus, also called as the sphygmomanometer.
Once you are diagnosed with hypertension (the basis of diagnosis is mentioned above), your doctor may advise you to undergo certain laboratory tests.
These blood tests do not directly diagnose high blood pressure. But the levels of certain minerals, ions, hormones and certain other blood constituents such as cholesterol help to detect the underlying possible cause for high blood pressure.
Similarly, a CBC for hypertension may also be done as a routine test for the slightest alterations in its parameters also help to diagnose the possible cause.
Subsequently, these parameters may also need to be monitored serially once you are on treatment for high blood pressure. Annual blood tests for hypertension may also be done to monitor response to treatment.
Interpretation of results will depend upon the type of blood test done for hypertension. Some blood tests with their normal parameters are mentioned below.
| Condition | Fasting (mg/dl) | Postprandial (mg/dl) |
| Normal | 80 – 100 | 120 – 140 |
| Pre-diabetic | 101 – 125 | 140 – 160 |
| Diabetic | Greater than 126 | Greater than 200 |
Apart from blood glucose levels, HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) test is also done which gives the patient’s percentage value of average blood sugar over the last 3 months.
| Parameter | Optimal | Borderline | High |
| Total cholesterol (mg/dl) | <200 | 200 – 239 | >239 |
| LDL cholesterol (mg/dl) | <130 | 130 – 159 | >159 |
| HDL cholesterol (mg/dl) | <60 | 40 – 60 | <40 |
| Triglycerides (mg/dl) | <150 | 150 – 199 | >199 |
| Parameter | Normal Range |
| Hemoglobin (males) | 13 – 16 gm% |
| Hemoglobin (females) | 12 – 14 gm% |
| White blood cells (WBC) | 5000 – 10000 cu/mm of blood |
| Red blood cells (RBCs) | 4.5 – 5.5 million/ml |
| Platelets | 1.5 – 5.0 lakhs/ml |
| Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) | 80 – 94 fl |
| Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) | 27 – 32 pg |
| Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) | 28 – 36 g/100ml of red blood cells |
| Lymphocytes | 850 – 4100 cells/ml |
| Monocytes | 200 – 1100 cells/ml |
| Neutrophils | 1500 – 7800 cells/ml |
| Eosinophils | 50 – 550 cells/ml |
| Basophils | 0 – 200 cells/ml |
| Parameter | Normal Range |
| Sodium (mEq/L) | 135 – 145 |
| Potassium (mEq/L) | 3.5 – 5.0 |
| Chloride (mEq/L) | 96 – 109 |
| Calcium (mg/dl) | 8.5 – 10.5 |
| Magnesium (mEq/L) | 1.4 – 2.1 |
| Phosphorus (mg/dl) | 3 – 4.5 |
| Parameter | Normal Range |
| T3 | 0.92 – 2.78 nmol/L |
| T4 | 58 – 140 nmol/L |
| TSH | 0.5 – 4.7 mU/L |
| Parameter | Normal Range |
| Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) | 5 – 25 mg/dl |
| Creatinine | 0.3 – 1.4 mg/dl |
Blood tests for hypertension are generally done annually to either diagnose or to monitor the response to treatment for hypertension. Yet, you must consult the doctor if you notice any abnormalities in the test results even if they are done as a routine screening.
Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.
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