Guidelines for evaluating and treating hypertension.

Any patient with elevated blood pressure on at least two occasions should have a hypertensive workup; however, extensive evaluation for a correctable cause of hypertension is seldom necessary unless findings in the history, physical examination, or basic laboratory tests are abnormal. Diuretics are the cornerstone of therapy. If blood pressure does not respond adequately to these agents, a step-care approach with more potent antihypertensives is indicated.