Secondary Hypertension

A secondary cause of hypertension may be identified in approximately six percent of hypertensive patients. Secondary causes can be suspected from appropriate laboratory studies, the history and physical. More extensive work-up is indicated only in the presence of clinical clues, hypertension that is difficult to treat or very severe hypertension.

Important secondary causes of hypertension include: renal abnormalities, both parenchymal and vascular; endocrine abnormalities including adrenal diseases such as Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma and primary aldosteronism and hyper- and hypothyroidism; hypercalcemia; coarctation of the aorta; pregnancy; obstructive sleep apnea and drugs and alcohol.