Hypertension Flashcards
Hypertension
the elevation of blood pressure to values correlated with cardiovascular damage
Is hypertension symptomatic or asymptomatic
asymptomatic
Two types of blood pressure
primary and secondary
Primary (essential) hypertension
most common, unknown etiology, can happen to anyone
Secondary hypertension
resulting from pathologic changes in another body system or organ
Common reasons for secondary hypertension
kidney disease, cushing syndrome, medication induced
Risk factors
age, african-american, family history, excess alcohol, stress, tobacco use, excess sodium in diet, insufficient potassium in diet, obesity, diabetes mellitus, sedentary lifestyle
What does hypertension do to arteries
exerts high damaging force against the endothelial lining of arteries
What does high pressure do to the arteries
causes weakness and injury to the epithelium
What arteries are most at risk from injury after hypertension
heart, retina, kidneys, brain, lower extremities
What does constant hypertension do to the heart
causes pressure in the aorta to increase, increased aortic pressure places an excessive workload on the left ventricle –> left ventricular hypertrophy
What is the heart susceptible to from hypertension
ischemia, heart failure
What happens to blood volume during left ventricle hypertension
the left ventricle cannot hold as much blood
Diagnostic tests
12 lead EKG, urinalysis, CBC, blood glucose, electrolytes
Why are diagnostic tests used
to rule out any potential causes and determine if there is organ damage
