Exams and Tests

How does my health care professional know for sure that I have high blood pressure? If your blood pressure seems high, your health care professional may measure your blood pressure a few times or ask that you take and record your blood pressure at home. Having multiple readings often helps to confirm you have high blood pressure.

Reliable Devices: Visit ValidateBP.org for a list of trusted blood pressure machines.

During your office visit, your health care professional will take your health history and perform a physical exam. Make sure to share information about your risk for heart disease, including any relatives who have high blood pressure, and any other conditions you have that might affect your blood pressure.

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your health care team may also order an electrocardiogram (ECG) or other laboratory tests, including:

• Complete blood count
• Serum electrolytes, potassium, sodium, calcium
• Creatinine and glomerular filtration rate to assess kidney function
• Lipid/cholesterol profile
• Blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone
• Urinalysis, including Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (UACR)