In evaluation of newly diagnosed hypertension, which test is indicated for all patients?

• A. EKG
• B. Echocardiogram
• C. MRI
• D. Lipid panel

Answer: (A)

Baseline assessment of new hypertension focuses on uncovering early heart involvement and overall cardiovascular risk. An electrocardiogram is the test you’d obtain for every patient because it can detect left ventricular hypertrophy, prior silent myocardial infarction, and rhythm disturbances. These findings help gauge prognosis and may influence how aggressively you treat the blood pressure and whether further cardiac testing is needed.

Other tests aren’t required in every case. A lipid panel is valuable for overall risk stratification and guiding lipid-lowering therapy, but it isn’t a direct diagnostic test for hypertension. Echocardiography and MRI are reserved for patients with signs or symptoms of cardiac disease or suspected structural problems, since routine imaging in all hypertensive patients rarely changes immediate management.