Hypertension is a worldwide problem. It is associated with severe complications that are worse in blacks! Effective management of
hypertension requires that the pathophysiologic mechanism, underlining the condition be identified. The clinical laboratory can help in this regard by separating
primary hypertension cases (high plasma
rennin activity and low plasma
rennin activity types) from those of secondary and mendelian types of
hypertension. However most clinical laboratories in Nigeria do not provide some of the needed specialized tests-plasma
renin activity level, urinary coritsol, plasma
aldosterone and metanephrines, plasma
natriuretic peptide and oral
captopril tests, on routine bases. Importantly, clinicians in Nigeria should consider seriously, the role of the clinical laboratory in the management of
hypertension, a condition that affects about 20% of the adult population. They should look beyond "basic or routine tests" in the management of patients with
hypertension. Specific tests that will assist in the proper diagnoses of the type of
hypertension in a patient should be carried out routinely on every case of
hypertension. This will assist in justifying the addition of such investigations in laboratory tests repertoire, when laboratory budgets are prepared.