Tests for High Blood Pressure.

High blood pressure can be diagnosed with a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) which consists of a gauge and a rubber cuff which are located around your arm and inflated. Its procedure is painless and has a short duration.

The classification of blood pressure is: 

  * Normal Blood pressure - Systolic pressure is less than 120 mm Hg; diastolic is less than 80 mm Hg.
  * Prehypertension - Systolic pressure is 120-139 or diastolic pressure is 80-89 mm Hg.
  * High Blood pressure 

Stage 1 - Systolic pressure is 140-159; diastolic pressure is 90-99 mm Hg
Stage 2 - Systolic pressure is more than 160; diastolic pressure is more than 100 mm Hg

To find out the causes of high blood pressure and possible organ damage which occurred due to high blood pressure or its treatment different tests are conducted. They are: 

   * Blood tests (measurement of electrolytes, blood urea, and creatinine levels which define the condition of kidney getting worse)
   * The measurement of levels of different kinds of cholesterol
   * Special tests for hormones of the adrenal gland or thyroid gland
   * Urine tests for electrolytes and hormones

Ocular damage can be diagnosed with simple examination with an ophthalmoscope.
Damage or enlargement of the kidneys and adrenal glands is defined with ultrasound of the kidneys, CT scan of the abdomen.

The damage made to the heart or blood vessels can be diagnosed with:

    * Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a measurement of the electrical activity of the heart which is written on paper. It checks any damage of the heart muscle, among them there are heart attack, and/or thickening/hypertrophy of the heart wall/muscle, common complications of high blood pressure. 
   * Echocardiogram is an examination of the heart conducted through the chest with ultrasound. Sound waves checks the condition of the heart at the periods of its beating and relaxation. The results of the checking are shown on a video monitor. Such technique defines problems with the heart, among them there are its increase in size, defects connected with the movement of the heart wall, blood clots, and heart valve defects. The measurement of the heart muscle’s strength is also effective. The echo is exacter than an ECG, but it costs more.

    * A chest x-ray checks the size of the heart.
    * Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow through arteries at pulse points in your arms, legs, hands, and feet. It helps to find out peripheral vascular illness, which is widespread among people with high blood pressure.