Clinical use and pathogenetic basis of laboratory tests for the evaluation of primary arterial hypertension

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Teresa M Seccia1, Gian Paolo Rossi

  • 1Department of Clinical Methodology and Medical-Surgical Technologies, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.

Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
|January 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This review details essential laboratory biochemical tests for diagnosing hypertension (HT). It covers initial work-ups for cardiovascular risk and target organ damage, plus advanced tests for prognosis and treatment strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Hypertension (HT) diagnosis requires comprehensive laboratory evaluation.
  • Identifying cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and target organ damage is crucial for prognosis.
  • Secondary causes of HT may necessitate specific biochemical investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review laboratory biochemical tests for hypertensive patients.
  • To outline a minimal diagnostic work-up for all HT patients.
  • To discuss tests for assessing CV risk and guiding therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on laboratory diagnostics in hypertension.
  • Categorization of tests into initial work-up, CV risk assessment, and research-based investigations.
  • Discussion of specific biomarkers like C-reactive protein, endothelin-1, and homocysteine.

Main Results:

  • A minimal diagnostic work-up identifies basic CV risk factors and organ damage.
  • Additional tests refine CV risk assessment and inform treatment decisions.
  • Emerging research tests offer insights into endothelial function and genetic predispositions.

Conclusions:

  • Laboratory tests are integral to the diagnostic approach for hypertension.
  • A tiered approach to testing, from basic to advanced, optimizes patient management.
  • Biochemical markers aid in risk stratification and personalized therapeutic strategies for HT.

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