Hypertension

This condition is treated in the Cardiology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

Direct referral to Cardiology Clinic

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and must include:

• Details of relevant signs and symptoms
• Details of all treatments offered and efficacy
• BP (BP measurements on both arms preferable)
• Relevant previous medical history and co-morbidities

Tests

• FBC
• UEC
• LFTs
• eGFR
• lipid results (chol, TG, HDL, LDL)
• Urinalysis results
• Urinary protein estimation results or albumin creatinine ratio
• CXR report
• ECG
• BP (BP measurements on both arms preferable)

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Cardiology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Additional information which may assist triage:

• Any investigations relevant to co-morbidities
• Stress test report (if available)
• Renal duplex report if renal artery stenosis suspected
• History of smoking, alcohol intake and drug use (including recreational drugs

Interim management advice for Hypertension can be found on HealthPathways.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Hypertensive emergency (BPover 220/140)
🚩 Severe hypertension (systolic BP over 180) with known ischaemic heart disease or cardiomyopathy AND any of the following concerning features:

• headache
• confusion
• blurred vision
• retinal haemorrhage
• reduced level of consciousness
• seizures
• proteinuria
• papilloedema
• signs of heart failure
• chest pain

🚩 If suspected pregnancy induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia refer patient to the emergency department of a facility that offers obstetric services where possible.

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 Severe persistent hypertension (over 180/110 but below 220/140) in patients with known ischaemic heart disease or cardiomyopathy) without emergency referral concerning features (Select to display above)

🚩 Severe persistent hypertension that persists after trial of oral medication as described by the WHO Guideline for the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults:

Guideline for the pharmacological treament of hypertension in adults)

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within one week, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

* Hypertensive medication intolerance
* Suspected renal artery stenosis, noting this may be on-referred to Vascular
* Refractory hypertension (over 140/90 but under 180/110) in patients with known ischaemic heart disease or cardiomyopathy and receiving 3 or more antihypertensive agents

Routine (Category 3)

* Changing pattern of hypertension

Next available appointment usually within eight weeks

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455
Fax: 6441 5928

South

Wellington Clinics

General cardiology clinic enquiries and appointments:
Phone: 03 6166 0061
Fax: 03 6231 0101

Pacemaker and cardiac device enquiries and clinic appointments:
Phone: 03 6166 0064

Royal Hobart Hospital
Level 2 (D Block) - Cardiology and Echo Department

General cardiology clinic enquiries and appointments:
Phone: 03 6166 8620 or 03 6166 8860
Fax: 03 6234 3982

Nurse Practitioner: Chronic Cardiac Care/Heart Failure
Phone: 03 6166 7398

Pulmonary Hypertension Services
Phone: 03 6166 8034