Symptoms:

The symptoms of drug-induced hypertension are the same as those of primary hypertension, and may include:

• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Excessive perspiration
• Headache
• Muscle tremors
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale skin or redness
• Tiredness
• Vision changes

Note: Hypertension usually has no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will ask you questions about your use of drugs known to affect blood pressure measurement.

Repeated blood pressure measurements can confirm the diagnosis. Blood pressure that is consistently high is considered hypertension.

Two factors determine blood pressure measurements. Systolic blood pressure is the "top" number. It measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the "bottom" number. It is the pressure in blood vessels when the heart is at rest.

Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic (top) pressure of less than 120 mmHg, and a diastolic (bottom) pressure of less than 80 mmHg. A consistent rate of more than 140 mmHg systolic and more than 90 mmHg diastolic is considered high blood pressure.

Systolic BP between 130 and 140 mmHg and/or diasolic BP between 80 and 90 mmHg are considered pre-hypertension.

Blood tests may be done to determine the levels of medications that may be causing the high blood pressure.