Hypertension Flashcards
Chronic cardiovascular diseases
What is hypertension?
Raised blood pressure, >140 systolic mmHg (>160 in isolated systolic mmHg) and >90 diastolic mmHg
What drugs are known risk factors for hypertension? 4
NSAIDs, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives and sympathomimetics
What are patient risk factors for hypertension?
Age, race, family history, pregnancy, obesity, alcohol, drugs, stress
What are some outcomes from hypertension?
Accelerated atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, PVD, and renal disease
What are the common triggers for hypertension?
None usually found, likely genetic failure of autoregulation control of blood vessel wall constriction
What are the rare triggers for hypertension?
Renal artery stenosis, endocrine tumours- Phaeochromocytoma (adrenaline), Conn’s syndrome (aldosterone), Cushing’s syndrome (cortisol)
What are some signs and symptoms of hypertension?
Usually none, may get headache (more common in malignant hypertension where BP is rapidly accelerating), transient ischaemic attacks
What are some indications for further investigation with hypertension?
Young patients, unusual history, resistant hypertension despite adequate treatment, accelerated hypertension
What are some investigations done for hypertension?
Urinalysis, serum biochemistry, serum lipids, ECG, and occasionally renal ultrasounds, renal angiography and hormone estimations
What is the aim of treating hypertension?
BP <120/90 mmHg
How to treat hypertension?
Modify risk factors e.g. weight loss and exercise, and single daily drug dose
What are some drugs used to treat hypertension? What are the side effects?
Thiazide diuretic (gout), beta blocker (asthma and COPD), calcium channel antagonist (gingival hyperplasia), and ACE inhibitor (PVD)
How to monitor hypertension?
Review treatment annually when stable, monitor blood biochemistry effects of drugs such as sodium and potassium changes and dehydration
