High Blood Pressure: The Silent Risk and What Blood Tests Reveal

1. **Identify the underlying cause** (is it primary hypertension, or driven by kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction or hormonal imbalance?)

2. **Assess organ damage** already caused by chronically elevated pressure

3. **Quantify cardiovascular risk** beyond blood pressure alone

Kidney Function Tests (Creatinine, Urea, eGFR):: The kidneys are among the first organs damaged by hypertension. Creatinine and eGFR measure how well they filter waste. Elevated creatinine is an early sign that the kidneys are under strain.

Urine Microalbumin:: Tiny amounts of protein leaking into urine (microalbuminuria) indicate early kidney damage from high blood pressure — often detectable years before creatinine rises.

Lipid Profile:: High LDL cholesterol combined with hypertension multiplies cardiovascular risk. Most people with hypertension are at elevated risk for heart disease, and the lipid panel quantifies this.

Blood Glucose (Fasting and HbA1c):: Hypertension and diabetes frequently coexist and amplify each other's risks. Testing both together provides a complete metabolic picture.

TSH (Thyroid Function):: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can raise blood pressure. Thyroid testing rules out a correctable hormonal cause.

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium):: Imbalances — particularly low potassium — can drive blood pressure elevation and are relevant to medication management.

Heart:: The heart works harder to pump against elevated pressure, causing the left ventricle to thicken (hypertrophy). Over time, this leads to heart failure, coronary artery disease and arrhythmias.

Brain:: Hypertension is the single largest risk factor for stroke — both ischaemic (clot-related) and haemorrhagic (bleeding). It also contributes to vascular dementia.

Kidneys:: High pressure damages the tiny blood vessels (glomeruli) that filter blood, leading to progressive chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease in turn worsens blood pressure — a vicious cycle.

Eyes:: Hypertensive retinopathy — damage to retinal blood vessels — can cause vision loss and is a marker of cardiovascular risk.

Arteries:: Sustained high pressure accelerates atherosclerosis (arterial plaque), making arteries stiffer and narrower over time.

Reduce sodium:: Limiting salt intake to under 5g per day (about one teaspoon) can lower systolic pressure by 5–6 mmHg.

DASH diet:: Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy — shown to reduce blood pressure independently of weight loss.

Regular exercise:: 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity most days reduces systolic pressure by 5–8 mmHg.

Limit alcohol:: More than two drinks per day consistently raises blood pressure.

Quit smoking:: Each cigarette temporarily spikes blood pressure and accelerates arterial damage.

Weight management:: Losing 5–10% of body weight if overweight can produce meaningful blood pressure reductions.

Stress reduction:: Chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, raising blood pressure. Meditation, breathing exercises and adequate sleep all help.

• Blood pressure readings are consistently elevated

• You have a family history of hypertension, heart disease or kidney disease

• You have diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol

• You are over 40 years of age

• You are on blood pressure medications (to monitor kidney function and electrolytes)