Essential (primary) hypertension (I10)
ICD-10 code I10 is used to identify and document cases of essential (primary) hypertension, a common condition characterized by persistently high blood pressure without an identifiable secondary cause. This code captures the diagnosis for medical records and billing related to elevated blood pressure levels requiring management.
This code encompasses numerous clinical terms related to high blood pressure, including benign hypertension, systolic and diastolic hypertension, and terms such as labile essential hypertension and malignant hypertension. Recognizing these synonyms under the umbrella of I10 helps clarify coding when various descriptors; like hypertensive crisis, hypertensive emergency, or hypertension stage 1 or 2; are used in documentation. The ICD-10 code for essential hypertension also includes related complications such as hypertensive optic neuropathy and dementia due to hypertensive encephalopathy, assisting healthcare providers in capturing the full impact of the condition in a patient’s records. Accurate use of code I10 supports consistent health data reporting and treatment monitoring for elevated blood pressure conditions not caused by another disease.
Diseases of the circulatory system (I00–I99)
Hypertensive diseases (I10-I1A)
- I10 Essential (primary) hypertension
Essential (primary) hypertension (I10)
Instructional Notations
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- high blood pressure
- hypertension (arterial) (benign) (essential) (malignant) (primary) (systemic)
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- essential primary hypertension involving vessels of brain I60 I69
- essential primary hypertension involving vessels of eye H35.0
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Essential Hypertension
Hypertension that occurs without known cause, or preexisting renal disease. Associated polymorphisms for a number of genes have been identified, including AGT, GNB3, and ECE1. OMIM: 145500
Hypertensive Crisis
A severe, acute increase in BLOOD PRESSURE that may result in STROKE or MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA.
