Hypertension and hyperparathyroidism.

Of 40 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism 13 were hypertensive. Nine presented with hypertension and, of these, seven were discovered to have hyperparathyroidism by the routine determination of serum calcium in 900 patients referred for investigation of hypertension. The association of hypertension and hyperparathyroidism is well recognized but the cause is in doubt. The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with hypertension is about 1 in 130, which is considerably higher than in the general population (1 in 1,000-2,000). All patients with hypertension should have a routine serum calcium estimation. Parathyroidectomy in these otherwise asymptomatic cases may prevent renal damage.