HYPERTENSION – TESTS
An examination of the urine under a microscope may show evidence of kidney damage; and X-ray of the kidneys may show changes in their structure or function.
An electrocardiogram of the heart can reveal if the raised pressure is causing a strain on the pumping chambers of the heart.
Sometimes more sophisticated tests are necessary to diagnose such rare tumors as a pheochro-mocytoma, which occurs in the inner part of the adrenal gland, the medulla, where the hormone adrenalin is produced.
This is the only area of the body where blood vessels can be directly seen and changes occurring in these reflect what is happening to other arteries in the body. Changes in these vessels indicate what damage is done by high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is recorded by an instrument known as a sphygmomanometer. A cuff is wound around the upper arm and air is pumped into it. The pressure is raised above that of the blood in the arteries and this obstructs its flow.
*437/71/1*
