Blood Tests relevant to Hypertension

A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a needle, or via finger prick.
Blood tests are used to determine physiological and biochemical states such as disease, mineral content, drug effectiveness, and organ function. Although the term blood test is used, most routine tests (except for most haematology) are done on plasma or serum instead of blood cells.

In Roger’s case, there are two main areas that need to be addressed when deciding what his blood should be tested for, both for possible secondary causes of his hypertension, such as renal failure, and for risk factors associated with hypertension like diabetes.

Secondary Causes
o Renal Failure
§ Serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes
Risk Factors
o Diabetes
§ Fasting Blood glucose and insulin levels
o Hypercholesterolaemia
§ Total and HDL cholesterol levels
o General snapshot of health
§ Full blood count
o Liver Function Test

References
Kumar & Clarke, Underwood's pathology and (inevitably) Wikipedia

by Steph