ana 3 Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is the definition of hypertension?
An elevated and sustained rise in blood pressure affecting the function and structure of blood vessels
The levels requiring medical intervention are determined on an individual basis.
What are the systolic and diastolic blood pressure thresholds for hypertension?
Systolic >140, Diastolic >90 mmHg
Normal BP is <130/<85 (120/80 +/- 10/5).
What is classified as malignant hypertension?
Blood pressure >210/120 mmHg
This stage can lead to severe complications.
Describe WHO stage I hypertension.
BP in the hypertensive range
This stage does not necessarily show signs of cardiovascular hypertrophy.
What demographic is more affected by hypertension?
People of the black race, with black persons affected about twice as often as whites
Hypertension complications are also more common in this demographic.
What are some common complications of hypertension in African Americans?
Higher rates of morbidity and mortality from strokes, left ventricular hypertrophy, CHF, and end-stage renal disease
This demographic experiences hypertension earlier and more severely.
What are the primary risk factors for hypertension?
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Lack of exercise
- Cholesterol/atherosclerosis
- Diabetes mellitus
These factors can independently contribute to the development of hypertension.
What is the classification of systemic hypertension based on cause?
- Essential or primary (when the cause is unknown)
- Secondary (when a cause is identified)
Essential hypertension is more common.
What distinguishes malignant hypertension from benign hypertension?
Malignant hypertension has extremely high diastolic pressure >120 mmHg, leading to renal failure and retinal hemorrhages
Benign hypertension does not exhibit extreme BP elevation.
What is the formula for blood pressure regulation?
BP = Cardiac Output x Peripheral Resistance
This formula highlights the determinants of arterial pressure.
What role do the kidneys play in hypertension?
The kidneys influence total peripheral resistance and sodium homeostasis
Renal dysfunction is crucial in the development of both essential and secondary hypertension.
What is the relationship between sodium intake and hypertension?
High sodium intake can lead to hypertension due to decreased renal excretion capacity
Sodium retention is associated with higher arterial pressure.
What are the effects of hypertension on the heart?
Enlargement of the heart, heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy
Dilation of heart chambers may also occur.
What is hypertensive encephalopathy?
A condition resulting from severely elevated blood pressure affecting brain function
Often involves significant damage to the brainstem.
What is the significance of Charcot-Bouchard microneurysms?
They are associated with hypertensive hemorrhage due to the rupture of small cerebral arteries
These microneurysms are typically 1 mm in size.
What is the most common cause of secondary hypertension?
Kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis and chronic pyelonephritis
Other causes include adrenal diseases and coarctation of the aorta.
What is primary aldosteronism?
A condition characterized by excess secretion of aldosterone leading to hypertension
It causes sodium retention and hypokalemia.
What is the effect of excessive salt intake on hypertension?
It can exacerbate hypertension, though this does not apply to all populations
Genetic and environmental factors also play a role.
Fill in the blank: Hypertension is more frequent in ______ than in women.
men
This frequency increases with advancing age.
What is the role of catecholamines in hypertension?
They contribute to the regulation of blood pressure, with increased production linked to hypertension
Phaeochromocytoma is an example of a condition with elevated catecholamine levels.
What are the main determinants of cardiac output?
- Stroke volume
- Heart rate
Stroke volume is influenced by myocardial contractility and vascular compartment size.
What are the two main defects associated with hypertension?
11β-hydroxylase and 17α-hydroxylase deficiencies
These deficiencies affect steroid hormone production, impacting blood pressure regulation.
What is Pseudohyperaldosteronism (Liddle’s disease)?
An inherited disorder of Na+ transport causing excessive sodium conservation by the kidneys
This condition is characterized by hypertension and reduced aldosterone output.
What causes Cushing’s syndrome?
Overproduction of glucocorticoids due to adrenal cortical hyperplasia or adrenal cortical tumor
Hypertension occurs in about 85% of cases.
