Secondary Hypertension

Secondary hypertension is elevated blood pressure due to an identifiable underlying cause: renal parenchymal/renovascular disease, endocrine (primary aldosteronism/Cushing/pheochromocytoma/thyroid), obstructive sleep apnea, drugs, or coarctation. It should be suspected in sudden/severe/resistant hypertension or young onset. Treatment: investigate and treat the underlying cause; antihypertensive medications; screen target-organ damage; endocrine causes may be cured by surgery.

Common Symptoms

Abrupt/severe/resistant hypertension; young onset; clues (hypokalemia/flushing/OSA/abdominal bruit)

Causes and Pathogenesis

Renal/endocrine/OSA/drug causes raise BP via specific mechanisms.

Treatment

Investigate/treat cause; antihypertensives; screen target organs; surgery for endocrine causes

Preventive Measures

Screen young/sudden/resistant hypertension for secondary causes.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Cardiology/Nephrology/Endocrinology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.