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Pseudohypertension
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Pseudohypertension, a condition mimicking high blood pressure, is difficult to diagnose and may increase with age. Early detection requires a high index of suspicion and specific clinical features.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Pseudohypertension is a diagnostic challenge, often mistaken for true hypertension.
- Existing diagnostic methods may be insufficient for identifying pseudohypertension accurately.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current knowledge on pseudohypertension.
- To provide new perspectives on its pathophysiology and evaluation.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive MEDLINE search (1966-1993) using keywords 'pseudohypertension' and 'Osler's maneuver'.
- Review of selected articles and their citations for relevant quantitative and qualitative information.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of pseudohypertension is unknown but likely increases with age.
- Diagnosis necessitates a high index of suspicion; demographic data is not a reliable indicator.
- Clinical clues include postural hypotension despite treatment, resistant hypertension, and lack of end-organ damage.
Conclusions:
- Pseudohypertension diagnosis requires careful clinical evaluation.
- Automatic infrasonic blood pressure measurement may improve accuracy in suspected cases over traditional sphygmomanometry.