Question

A 48-year-old woman with no past medical history is found to have blood pressures of 142/92 mm Hg, 146/94 mm Hg and 144/90 mm Hg measured by automated office device on three separate visits over 3 months. She feels well and takes no medications. According to Hypertension Canada, what is the best next step in confirming the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Arrange home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to confirm hypertension before labelling and starting drug therapy

Answer

Diagnose hypertension immediately and start two-drug therapy without further evaluation

Answer

Reassure her that her blood pressures are normal and require no follow-up

Answer

Send her to the emergency department for same-day intravenous antihypertensives

Answer

Order a CT angiogram of the renal arteries to rule out renal artery stenosis

Practice question