Lab Tests | Electrocardiogram | Chest X-Ray | Echocardiogram | 24hr. ABP | Catecholamines | Angiogram | CT Scan | MRI Scan | MRA | Carotid Ultrasound | Renal Ultrasound | Captopril | Renal Scan | Captopril Renal Scan | Renal Vein Renin Test

Routine Lab Blood and Urine Tests

The purpose of the lab tests is in general the same as for the history and physical exam - to assess the causes and consequences of the high blood pressure, and also to measure one of major risk factors for heart disease- your blood cholesterol. The basic test is a screening test of blood and urine. Most labs nowadays perform a battery of tests on a blood sample (sometimes called a chemscreen) that includes things such as a blood count (which shows whether you're anemic), tests of liver and kidney function, blood sugar (a measure of diabetes), and electrolytes (most importantly the concentrations of sodium and potassium in the blood). Both sodium and potassium play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. However, the concentration of sodium in the blood is no indication of whether you are eating a high or low sodium diet. To evaluate that, a 24-hour urine collection is needed (see below). A low blood potassium level may be a clue to a rare cause of hypertension from a small and benign (i.e. not cancerous) tumor of the adrenal gland, but much more commonly occurs as a side effect from a class of blood pressure-lowering medications called diuretics. The cholesterol measurement actually includes three components: cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides. A urine specimen will also be checked, particularly for protein (an indicator of kidney disease) and sugar.