Pseudohypertension

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Pseudohypertension is a medical condition where the blood pressure appears to be elevated when measured by a sphygmomanometer, but is actually normal when measured directly. This condition is most commonly seen in elderly patients with stiff, calcified arteries.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The primary cause of pseudohypertension is arteriosclerosis, a condition where the arteries become thick and stiff due to the accumulation of plaque. This can make the arteries hard to compress, leading to falsely high blood pressure readings. Other causes can include diabetes, kidney disease, and certain medications.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of pseudohypertension can be challenging. It is often suspected in elderly patients with high blood pressure readings but no symptoms of hypertension. The definitive test for pseudohypertension is direct measurement of blood pressure through catheterization.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for pseudohypertension focuses on managing the underlying cause, such as controlling blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes or managing kidney disease. In some cases, no treatment is necessary.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Pseudohypertension Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD