Question

A 46-year-old woman with no past medical history is found to have a blood pressure of 152/94 mm Hg at a walk-in clinic after a stressful workday. She is asymptomatic and physical examination is otherwise normal. What is the most appropriate next step according to Canadian hypertension guidance?

Accepted Answer

Arrange repeated office blood pressure measurements over several visits or validated home blood pressure monitoring before making a diagnosis

Answer

Start lifelong antihypertensive medication today and label her hypertensive

Answer

Reassure her that this is white-coat hypertension and discharge without follow-up

Answer

Order urgent ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and start beta-blocker empirically

Answer

Send her to the emergency department for evaluation of hypertensive urgency

Practice question

A 46-year-old woman with no past medical history is found to have a blood pressure of 152/94 mm Hg at a walk-in clinic after a stressful workday. She is asymptomatic and physical examination is otherwise normal. What is the most appropriate next step according to Canadian hypertension guidance?