One-liner tables
Presentation on the left, the test that confirms it in the middle, and on the right the detail that separates the correct answer from the one that looks correct.
3 rows across 1 table.
Hypertension: Diagnosis and Targets — MCCQE Notes
Diagnostic thresholds depend on how the pressure was measured, and the treatment target depends on the patient. Both are commonly examined.
| Presentation | Key test | Clinical pearl |
|---|---|---|
| Resistant hypertension with hypokalaemia | Aldosterone-to-renin ratio | Primary aldosteronism — commoner than the classic teaching suggests. |
| Episodic hypertension, headache, palpitations, sweating | Plasma free metanephrines | Phaeochromocytoma. Alpha-blockade before beta-blockade, always. |
| Hypertension with a flank bruit and rising creatinine on an ACE inhibitor | Renal artery imaging | Bilateral renal artery stenosis. The creatinine rise is the clue. |
Resistant hypertension with hypokalaemia
Aldosterone-to-renin ratio
Primary aldosteronism — commoner than the classic teaching suggests.
Episodic hypertension, headache, palpitations, sweating
Plasma free metanephrines
Phaeochromocytoma. Alpha-blockade before beta-blockade, always.
Hypertension with a flank bruit and rising creatinine on an ACE inhibitor
Renal artery imaging
Bilateral renal artery stenosis. The creatinine rise is the clue.