Secondary hypertension, unspecified

This code signifies elevated blood pressure that is caused by an underlying, unidentifiable medical condition. It indicates that while the hypertension is secondary, the specific etiology has not been determined or documented. This diagnosis is typically made when primary (essential) hypertension has been ruled out, but the root cause remains unknown.

Use this code when the patient's medical record clearly states "secondary hypertension" but provides no further details about the underlying cause. This often occurs when initial investigations for secondary causes have been inconclusive, or when the provider has not yet specified the etiology. Documentation supporting this code would include a diagnosis of secondary hypertension without an accompanying specific secondary condition.

• Avoid using this code if a specific secondary cause of hypertension (e.g., renal artery stenosis, Cushing's syndrome) is documented; instead, code the specific secondary hypertension.
• Always query the provider for clarification if "secondary hypertension" is documented without a specified cause, to determine if a more specific code can be assigned.
• This code should be sequenced as a principal diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it coexists with another condition.