Which other diseases should be evaluated when a patient has high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often a symptom of underlying health problems, particularly those related to the cardiovascular system. Evaluating a patient with hypertension for cardiovascular disease is crucial because high blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for more serious conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

Patients with hypertension may have an increased likelihood of conditions like coronary artery disease or heart failure, as the heart and blood vessels can be negatively affected by sustained high blood pressure. A thorough assessment of cardiovascular health, including evaluation of risk factors, history of cardiovascular events, and any present symptoms, is essential in managing a patient’s overall health effectively.

While other conditions like thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal issues may have indirect relationships with hypertension, they are not as directly correlated as cardiovascular diseases are. Evaluating for cardiovascular issues is therefore prioritized and critical in the context of managing high blood pressure.