Drug-induced hypertension

Alternative names:

hypertension - medication related

Symptoms:

• headache (occasionally)

If hypertension is severe:

• tiredness
• confusion
• vision changes
• nausea, vomiting
• anxiety
• excessive perspiration
• pale skin, or redness
• muscle tremors
• chest pain, angina-like
  • crushing substernal chest pain

Note: Hypertension usually shows no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will ask questions regarding medications used and the use of substances known to affect blood pressure.

Blood pressure measurements, repeated over time, are used to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension. Blood pressure that is consistently elevated is considered hypertension. Hypertension is present when there is consistent elevation of higher than 140 systolic (the "top" number, a measurement of the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats) or higher than 90 diastolic (the "bottom" number, which reflects the pressure in blood vessels when the heart is at rest) rates, or both rates are present.

Tests for suspected causes may include blood tests to determine the levels of suspected medications or substances.