ICD-10 code guides
Reviewed July 1, 2026

ICD-10 codes for hypertension

Essential (primary) hypertension is coded I10 in both ICD-10 and ICD-10-CM. The complexity starts when hypertension involves the heart or kidneys — combination codes then take precedence over I10.

I10 billable

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Paste or dictate a de-identified clinical note — a few sentences is enough.

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Review each suggested code and its evidence, then copy the codes you agree with.

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ICD-10-CM

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Hypertension ICD-10 codes

Start with the primary code, then move to a more specific related code when the documentation supports it.

CodeDescriptionSystem

I10

Essential (primary) hypertension

ICD-10-CM

I11.9

Hypertensive heart disease without heart failure

ICD-10-CM

I12.9

Hypertensive chronic kidney disease, stage 1–4 or unspecified CKD

Code also the CKD stage (N18.-)

ICD-10-CM

I13.10

Hypertensive heart and CKD without heart failure, stage 1–4 CKD

ICD-10-CM

I15.9

Secondary hypertension, unspecified

Code also the underlying condition

ICD-10-CM

R03.0

Elevated blood-pressure reading, without diagnosis of hypertension

ICD-10-CM

How to choose the right code

Use I10 only for essential hypertension without documented heart or kidney involvement. If hypertensive heart disease is documented, move to I11.-; with chronic kidney disease, I12.- plus the N18.- stage; with both, I13.-. A single elevated reading without a hypertension diagnosis is R03.0, not I10. Secondary hypertension (I15.-) requires coding the underlying cause.

Documentation example

Follow-up for essential hypertension. Home readings averaging 148/92 despite lifestyle changes. No chest pain, no dyspnea. Renal function normal (eGFR 84). Increased amlodipine to 10 mg daily; review in 6 weeks.

Suggested:

I10

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FAQ

When do I use I10 vs I11 or I12?

I10 covers essential hypertension alone. Once the documentation links hypertension to heart disease (I11.-) or chronic kidney disease (I12.-, plus an N18.- stage code), those combination codes replace I10.

What code do I use for an elevated reading without a diagnosis?

R03.0 — elevated blood-pressure reading without a diagnosis of hypertension. I10 requires an established diagnosis.

Can AI suggest hypertension codes from my note?

Yes. Notat’s FactsContext™ engine extracts the clinical facts from your note or consultation and suggests ICD-10 codes with the supporting evidence excerpt, for you to review and confirm.

Related ICD-10 guides

Keep moving through the condition hub, or open the general medical coding guide for more coding systems and extractors.

Medical coding hub