Important aspects of the history in the patient with hypertension

Duration of hypertension	Presence of other risk factors
Last known normal blood pressure Course of the blood pressure	Smoking Diabetes Dyslipidemia Overweight or obesity Physical inactivity
Prior treatment of hypertension
Drugs: types, doses, side effects
Intake of agents that may cause hypertension	Dietary history
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Estrogens Adrenal steroids Cocaine Sympathomimetics Excessive sodium	Sodium Processed foods Alcohol Saturated fats
Family history	Psychosocial factors
Hypertension Premature cardiovascular disease or death Familial diseases: pheochromocytoma, kidney disease, diabetes, gout	Family structure Work status Educational level
Symptoms of secondary causes	Sexual function
Muscle weakness Spells of tachycardia, sweating, tremor Thinning of the skin Flank pain
Symptoms of target-organ damage	Features of sleep apnea
Headaches Transient weakness or blindness Loss of visual acuity Chest pain Dyspnea Claudication	Early morning headaches Daytime somnolence Loud snoring Erratic sleep

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