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Patient Evaluation| The Focused History for Patients with Essential Hypertension

The evaluation of patients with hypertension has three objectives: 

  1. To assess lifestyle and identify other cardiovascular risk factors or concomitant disorders that affects prognosis and guides treatment.
  2. To reveal identifiable causes of high blood pressure (secondary hypertension).
  3. To assess the presence or absence of target organ damage and cardiovascular disease.

The evaluation is accomplished through a proper history and physical examination.

The elements of a proper initial history for patient with new essential hypertension

Initial Patient History Form:
What are the elements of a proper initial history in a patient with new hypertension as per JNC 7? (Choose all that apply)

A) Does patient already have hypertension and if so for what duration?

B) Does the patient have congestive heart failure symptoms?

C) Does the patient have peripheral vascular disease?

D) Does the patient have cancer history?

E) Does the patient have diabetes?

F) Does the patient have a history or symptoms of cardiovascular disease?

G) Does the patient have renal disease?

H) Does the patient have cholesterol issues?

I) Does the patient have glaucoma disease?

J) Does the patient have a family history of premature heart attack or stroke death(s)?

K) Does the patient have a family history of diabetes?

L) Does the patient have a family history of hypercholesterolemia?

M) Does the patient have a family history of colon cancer?

N) Review all medications including over the counter and complementary medications?

O) Review any weight change issues?

P) Review smoking history?

Q) Review alcohol and drug history?

R) Review diet history?

S) Review psychosocial stressors?

Submit


 

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