DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for High blood pressure

Why: Date of initial diagnosis and levels of elevated blood pressure.

Why: what medications have you used in the past, what have been the result and any side effects from them.

Why: heart attacks , strokes, peripheral vascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus or recent weight gain.

Why: e.g. obesity, elevated cholesterol, impaired glucose tolerance, smoking, salt intake, alcohol consumption, exercise levels, chronic consumption of large amounts of pain killers especially those containing phenacetin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Why: elevated blood pressure affects between 3-8 % of all pregnant women, especially in the second half of the first pregnancy.

Why: of high blood pressure , heart attacks, strokes , elevated cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, renal disease, alcohol abuse and premature sudden death.

Why: prescribed and over the counter? - some medications can raise blood pressure or interfere with blood pressure medications e.g. oral contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, nasal decongestants and other cold remedies, appetite suppressants, amphetamines, analgesics, ergotamine, cyclosporine.

Why: high salt intake and licorice can increase blood pressure . Caffeine intake? - Caffeine elevates blood pressure and is dose related.

Why: alcohol elevates blood pressure and is dose related.

Why: e.g. headache, shortness of breath and ankle swelling due to congestive cardiac failure, chest pain due to coronary artery disease, leg claudication due to peripheral vascular disease and blood in the urine due to renal damage.

Why: e.g. leg claudication with coarctation of aorta; blood in urine with glomerulonephritis or polycystic kidneys; progressive weakness and need to urinate at night with Conn's syndrome; paroxysmal episodes of headache, pallor, sweating and heart palpitations with phaeochromocytoma; loud snoring, morning headache and daytime sleepiness with obstructive sleep apnea.