secondary hypertension

Last reviewed 07/2021

Secondary hypertension is an elevated blood pressure which has a clearly determined pathogenesis.

Only a small proportion (5%) of patients with hypertension have secondary hypertension.

A hypertensive patient should be fully investigated for possible secondary hypertension in the following circumstances:

• young hypertensive (less than 35 years)
• a history or examination suggestive of a specific pathogenesis