Clinical laboratory in the biochemical evaluation of hypertension in Nigeria

Abstract

Hypertension is a worldwide problem. It is associated with severe complications that are worse in blacks! Effective management of hypertension requires that the pathophysiologic mechanism, underlining the condition be identified. The clinical laboratory can help in this regard by separating primary hypertension cases (high plasma rennin activity and low plasma rennin activity types) from those of secondary and mendelian types of hypertension. However most clinical laboratories in Nigeria do not provide some of the needed specialized tests-plasma renin activity level, urinary coritsol, plasma aldosterone and metanephrines, plasma natriuretic peptide and oral captopril tests, on routine bases. Importantly, clinicians in Nigeria should consider seriously, the role of the clinical laboratory in the management of hypertension, a condition that affects about 20% of the adult population. They should look beyond "basic or routine tests" in the management of patients with hypertension. Specific tests that will assist in the proper diagnoses of the type of hypertension in a patient should be carried out routinely on every case of hypertension. This will assist in justifying the addition of such investigations in laboratory tests repertoire, when laboratory budgets are prepared.