FOR APPs & PRIMARY CARE CLINICIANS
Hypertension — Quick reference
First steps, urgent findings, referral guidance, and handoff essentials.
First steps
Repeat with correct technique, confirm out-of-office readings, assess risk/organ effects, and review actual medication use and contributors.
Recognize the urgent patient
Marked elevation with suspected acute organ injury needs emergency assessment. Severe BP alone does not define an emergency; pregnancy needs a separate pathway.
When to refer
Refer true resistance, suspected secondary disease, significant organ disease, or persistent intolerance to the appropriate specialist.
What to send with the referral
Home BP log; cuff/technique; doses and adherence; kidney/electrolyte and urine findings; prior treatment responses.
Avoid this pitfall
Do not escalate a regimen based solely on one rushed reading or assume absence of symptoms means control.
Reviewed October 11, 2026. This quick reference summarizes the linked guide; use the full guide for context and clinical references.