AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the pressure of the blood in your arteries is too high. Hypertension is dangerous because it can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke. With the help of your physician, hypertension can be diagnosed and treated to decrease your risk.

The AHN Cardiovascular Institute focuses on discovering the root cause of hypertension through a multidisciplinary approach. Our hypertension clinic can help patients lower their blood pressure by providing a variety of treatments and care plans tailored to each patient’s unique situation.

Our specialties

AHN’s Comprehensive Hypertension Center specializes in diagnosing and managing the following blood pressure-related conditions:

Primary hypertension: Sometimes referred to as essential hypertension, primary hypertension is the most common type among adults. Possible causes include a combination of genetics, lifestyle, age, and diet.

Secondary hypertension: Has an identifiable and possibly reversible cause, which may include thyroid abnormalities, narrowing of the kidney arteries, obstructive sleep apnea, and disease of the adrenal gland.

Other terms that are further used to characterize hypertension include:

Uncontrolled/refractory hypertension: When blood pressure is consistently high enough that it may cause damage to the heart and other organs.
Resistant hypertension: When high blood pressure persists despite taking multiple medications.
Malignant hypertension: A sudden spike in blood pressure that increases the risk of organ damage. Malignant hypertension is considered an emergency medical condition that requires immediate treatment.
Isolated systolic hypertension: When systolic blood pressure is above 130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is below 80 mmHg. This is commonly seen in adults older than 60.

Conditions we treat

The most common conditions the AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center treats include:

Uncontrolled and resistant hypertension (high blood pressure remains uncontrolled even with multiple medications).
High blood pressure that has already caused a stroke or damage to the kidneys or heart.

The AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center offers state-of-the-art procedures

Through innovation and expertise, we provide the best treatment available for resistant hypertension. We take pride in using the latest technology for diagnostic procedures, including:

Imaging: Angiography, Doppler, CT, MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound. We also offer testing of autonomic function (how your breathing and heartbeat react during certain activities).
Sleep assessments: Sleep apnea may lead to high blood pressure during the day, while poor sleep may lead to high blood pressure at night.
Surgery: This includes stenting (for improved blood flow), renal angioplasty, and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (a minimally invasive procedure that removes an overactive adrenal gland which may be causing high blood pressure).

In addition to best-in-class procedures at our hypertension clinic, our patients with hypertensive disorders may also have access to various clinical trials (when available).

What sets us apart

The AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center provides exceptional care for a variety of hypertensive disorders. With renowned experts at the hypertension clinic, we’re able to offer elevated techniques and technology that sets us apart from other treatment centers.

The Center is a collaboration between cardiology and nephrology, reflecting the importance of both specialties in managing complex or hard-to-treat high blood pressure.

Our goals

Achieve a safe blood pressure level for each person we treat.
Systematically screen for secondary causes of hypertension in appropriate patients.
Recommend guideline-directed medical therapy.

We'll work with you and your referring physician through close follow-up and long-term management to help control your hypertension.

Testing for secondary causes

In addition to 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the hypertension clinic also provides medication management for blood pressure combined with lifestyle interventions such as exercise, diet, and weight loss.

The AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center also tests for secondary causes of hypertension such as:

Thyroid disorders (TSH/free T4)
Pheochromocytoma workup (plasma metanephrines)
Primary aldosteronism (plasma aldosterone and renin)
Obstructive sleep apnea (referral to pulmonary/sleep medicine)
Renal artery stenosis (renal artery duplex vs. CTA vs. MRI)
Cushing’s syndrome (24-hour urine cortisol) with overnight dexamethasone suppression
Coarctation of the aorta (assess for ankle-brachial delay and transthoracic echocardiogram)

Meet the AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center specialists

Our expert physicians are ready to help you achieve your health goals when you visit the AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Centers at AHN Allegheny General Hospital and AHN West Penn Hospital.

The hypertension clinic employs specialists dedicated to their craft. Our teams collaborate to develop an individualized care, plan tailored to your specific needs, by treating a variety of symptoms, causes, and conditions.

We’re dedicated to providing the best care using the latest innovations to help manage and treat hypertension. Our team includes:

Nephrologists
Cardiologists
Neurologists

Radiologists
Endocrinologists
Pharmacists

Dietitians
Surgeons
Sleep medicine experts

Raghu R Tadikamalla, MD

Indu G Poornima, MD

Khaled Nashar, MD

Jennifer H Keeley, DNP

How to get care

If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension, we’re here to help. In addition to daily maintenance and medication management, our hypertension clinics treat patients who:

Are currently taking the highest dose of three or more hypertension medications and are still experiencing a consistent blood pressure reading over 130/80 mmHg.
Have peripheral arterial disease, worsening kidney disease, or a history of stroke.

Appointments and information for the AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center

Not yet diagnosed

If you don't have a diagnosis, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to make an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP). They will explore all possible causes of your symptoms.

Second opinions

If you’re looking for a second opinion, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to contact the Comprehensive Hypertension Center directly.

Physician referral

Talk with your PCP about further options if your blood pressure remains high while taking three or more blood pressure medications at the highest dose. Your doctor may refer you to one of our hypertension clinics for treatment.

Self-referral

If you're experiencing a hypertensive condition and want to visit the Comprehensive Hypertension Center, you can refer yourself for treatment by calling (412) 359-4744 to reach the AHN Cardiovascular Institute directly.

Before calling, please have your current insurance information and the contact information of your PCP (if you have one) on hand.

You may also request a call from the Comprehensive Hypertension Center.

Both new and existing patients may call (412) 359-4744 to make an appointment to discuss heart health concerns, schedule an annual cardiac checkup, or refer themselves for treatment at the Comprehensive Hypertension Center.

AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center locations

AHN provides quality care for patients with hypertension at the following locations:

Allegheny General Hospital
320 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
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West Penn Hospital
5140 Liberty Avenue, Suite 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
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Is there a hypertension clinic near me?

To provide the community with expert care, AHN offers convenient hypertension clinic locations for patients with resistant hypertension, including:

Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion
12311 Perry Highway
Wexford, PA 15090
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(878) 332-4000

AHN Cardiovascular Institute appointments and access

Learn more about our appointment options, second opinions, locations, referrals, and resources.

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