Cardio Flashcards
ABC
A - atrial filtration
B - blood pressure or hypertension
C- cholesterol levels
What is hypertension and what is the normal range?
Blood vessels have persistently raised pressure so over 140 / 90
Normal: less than 180 / 80
Systolic [left] - 120 ventricles contract
Diastolic [right] - 80 heart relaxing
Health complications of hypertension?
- myocardial infraction
- dementia
- stroke
- heart failure
- kidney disease
What are the risk factors for developing hypertension?
- age
- ethnicity
- stress and anxiety
- lifestyle
Smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol, obese - some medicines e.g. NSAIDs
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
- sometimes no symptoms - asymptomatic
- headaches
- nose bleed
- chest pains
- breathing problems
- poorer ability to exercise
What is the diagnosis of hypertension?
Measure bp in both arms using blood pressure monitor
Monitor either manual or automatic, can be measured in clinic or at home
Treatment for hypertension?
- lifestyle approaches: healthier diet, increase exercise
- reduce caffeine and salt intake
- stop smoking
- alcohol intake to recommended limits
- drug therapy
- loss weight management if overweight
- exercise
Classes of antihypertensive drugs?
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor - ACE inhibitors e.g. ramipril
Angiotensin II receptor antagonist e.g. candesartan
Calcium channel blockers e.g. amlodipine
Thiazide like diuretics
Aldosterone antagonist
