Table 1. Tests to screen for secondary conditions — answers to filtering questions
Blood test pane, testCondition targeted by testAre people with hypertension at increased risk?Can you intervene?Benefits of earlier detection?CM outcomesFinal decision
Renal function tests Chronic kidney diseaseYes (RR: 1 GL)Yes (RR: 2 GL)
eGFRYes (good evidence from RR: 1 GL, 3 SR, 2PS) CM1 88% includeInclude
Blood urea nitrogenYes (weak evidence from additional RR: 3 PSCM1 more evidence needed
CM2 90% exclude
Exclude
HbA1C Type 2 diabetes mellitusYes (good evidence from RR: 1 GL, 1 SR, 3 PS+ additional RR post CM1: 2 SR 1 PS)YesYesCM1 more evidence needed
CM2 100% include
Include
Blood electrolyte tests
 PotassiumHyper- or hypokalaemiaConflicting (moderate evidence from RR of increased risk: 1 GL, 1 SR; additional IA no association)Yes (RR: 1 GL; 1 PS)YesCM1 more evidence needed
CM2 100% exclude
Exclude
 SodiumHyper- or hyponatraemiaNo evidence from RR; Yes from additional IANoNACM1 more evidence needed
CM2 100% exclude
Exclude
Lipid profile Dyslipidaemia and assess cardiovascular riskYes (good evidence from RR: 1 GL, 3 SR, 2 PS)Yes (RR: 1 GL; TT weak evidence)
Additional RR on effect of lipid profile tests on behaviour (2 SR; 1PS) and TT found inconsistent evidence
Yes (1 GL)CM1 more evidence needed
CM2 90% exclude
Exclude
Serum cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein
Low-density lipoprotein
Triglycerides
Liver function tests Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)Unclear (weak conflicting evidence from RR: 1 SR, 2 PS)No, other than lifestyle advice (1 GL)*NACM1 100% excludeExclude
Albumin
Alkaline phosphatase
Alanine aminotransferase
Aspartate aminotransferase
Bilirubin
Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
Total protein
Haemoglobin (full blood count) AnaemiaNo evidenceYes (RR: 1 GL)Yes (RR: 1 GL)CM1 88% exclude
Haematinics Anaemia and deficiency typeNo evidenceYes (RR: 1 GL)Yes (RR: weak evidence 1 PS)CM1 88% excludeExclude
Vitamin B12
Serum ferritin
Folate tests
Clotting tests No evidenceNo evidenceNo evidenceCM1 88% excludeExclude
Prothrombin timeBleeding disorders
Partial thromboplastin timeHyper- or hypocalcaemia
Thrombin timeDeficiencies and anaemias
Bone profile Serum calcium and phosphorus levels, vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid problemsYes (RR: 1 GL)No evidenceCM1 88% excludeExclude
Serum inorganic phosphateNo evidence
Calcium/adjusted calciumNo evidence
Vitamin DYes (weak conflicting evidence from RR: 1 PS)
Alkaline phosphataseNo evidence
Parathyroid hormoneNo evidence
Thyroid function tests Hyper- or hypothyroidismNo evidenceYes (RR: 1 GL)No evidenceCM1 86% exclude
Thyroxine
Free thyroxine
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Triiodothyronine
B-type natriuretic peptide Heart failureYes (weak evidence from RR: 1 GL, 1 PS).Yes (RR: 1 GL)No evidenceCM1 88% excludeExclude
Inflammatory markers General marker for inflammationYes (good evidence)NoNAExcluded before CM1 owing to lack of consensus on treatmentExclude
C-reactive proteinand erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • CM = consensus meeting. CM1 = first CM. CM2 = second CM. eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate. GL = . HbA1C = glycosylated haemoglobin. IA = . PS = . RR = . SR = .