Hypertension Flashcards
What is hypertension?
- persistently elevated arterial BP
- defined as BP >/= to 140/90 mmHg
What is the systolic BP?
Achieved during cardiac contraction (top number)
What is diastolic BP?
Achieved during cardiac relaxation/filling (bottom number)
What is pulse pressure?
Indicates arterial wall tension (SBP - DBP)
What is mean arterial pressure (MAP)?
- average pressure throughout cardiac cycle of contraction
- MAP = 1/3 SPB + 2/3 DBP
What is primary HTN?
- exact cause unknown
- genetic predisposition
- not usually curable
- most common
What is secondary HTN?
- specific cause (comorbid disease, drug therapy)
- may resolve when underlying cause is treated/removed
What are some drugs that can be potential causes of secondary HTN?
- NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors
- cocaine
- decongestants
- OCPs, estrogen
- corticosteroids
- venlafaxine
- herbals (St. John’s Wort, bitter orange)
In which patients should home BP measurement be encouraged?
- uncomplicated HTN
- suspected non-adherence
- office induced BP elevation (white coat effect)
- masked HTN
Should you contact a health care professional if your BP is less than 130/85?
Usual follow up
Should you contact a health care professional if your BP is 130-179 / 85-109?
Discuss at next regularly scheduled appointment
Should you contact a health care professional if your BP is 180-199 / 110-119?
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment plan.
Should you contact a health care professional if your BP is more than 200/120?
Schedule an urgent appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment plan.
What are the goals of therapy when treating HTN?
- to reduce BP to target levels
- to reduce CVD risk and target organ damage
- to treat all reversible CVD risk factors
What are reversible risk factors for developing HTN?
- obesity
- poor dietary habits
- high sodium intake
- sedentary lifestyle
- high alcohol consumption
