High blood pressure (hypertension) is a very common condition and an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In most cases it does not cause obvious symptoms and is often detected during routine health checks.

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Although high blood pressure is frequently straightforward to manage, assessment is important to confirm the diagnosis, evaluate cardiovascular risk, and identify any underlying causes.

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A cardiology assessment can help determine the most appropriate approach to investigation and treatment.

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Possible causes of high blood pressure

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High blood pressure may occur for several reasons including:

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• Essential (primary) hypertension
• Genetic or family predisposition
• Kidney disease
• Hormonal conditions affecting blood pressure
• Obesity and lifestyle factors
• Certain medications

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In most individuals, high blood pressure develops gradually over time without a single identifiable cause.

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When to seek medical advice

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You should consider cardiology assessment if you have:

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• persistently elevated blood pressure readings
• blood pressure that remains high despite treatment
• high blood pressure at a young age
• a strong family history of cardiovascular disease
• abnormal ECG or heart imaging findings

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Assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.

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How high blood pressure is investigated

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Assessment may include:

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• Blood pressure measurement and monitoring
• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Blood and urine tests where appropriate
• Cardiovascular risk assessment

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Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is often used to confirm the diagnosis and assess blood pressure patterns over 24 hours.

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What happens during your consultation

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During your appointment, your blood pressure history and cardiovascular risk factors will be reviewed.

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Where appropriate, investigations can be arranged to assess the effects of blood pressure on the heart and to guide treatment aimed at reducing long-term cardiovascular risk.