Cardiovascular - Hypertension Flashcards
What is blood pressure?
Pressure exerted on the walls of the blood vessels
2 types readings of blood pressure
- Systolic BP is the maximum blood pressure exerted by the blood against the artery walls (corresponds to a contraction of the ventricles i.e. systole)
- Diastolic BP is the minimum pressure in the main arteries (corresponds to the relaxation of the ventricles i.e. diastole)
Formula for blood pressure
BP = Cardiac output x Systemic vascular resistance
What is cardiac output?
Amount of blood that is ejected from the left ventricle and is measured in L/min
What is systemic vascular resistance?
The resistance blood flow is determined by the diameter of the blood vessels and the vascular musculature.
What factors affects circulating volume?
- Salt
- Aldosterone (hormone)
Factors affecting cardiac
- Heart rate
- Contractibility
What drugs can be used to help with cardiac issues?
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Centrally acting adrenergic
What drugs can be used to help circulatory issues?
- ACE inhibitors
2. Diuretics
What drugs can be used for vasodilators and vasoconstrictors?
- Vasodilators
- Prostaglandins
- ACE inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Angiotensin II blockers
What types of receptors are involved with peripheral sympathetic receptors?
- Alpha-1 blockers
2. Beta blockers
What is hypertension (HTN)?
Condition in which the blood pressure is elevated to a level that is likely to have adverse consequences.
2 categories of hypertension?
- Primary hypertension
2. Secondary hypertension
What causes primary hypertension?
No identifiable cause
What causes secondary hypertension?
- Renal disease
- Endocrine disease such as: 1. steroid excess: hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome); hyperglucocorticoidism (Cushing’s syndrome)
2. Growth hormone excess: acromegaly
3. Catecholamine excess: pheochromocytoma
4. Others: pre-eclampsia - Vascular causes
- Renal artery stenosis: fibromuscular
- Drugs such as
1. Sympathomimetic amines
2. Oestrogen (e.g. combined oral contraceptive pills)
3. Erythropoietin
4. Ciclospoin
5. Steroids
6. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Hypertension is not a disease but a risk factor (TRUE OR FALE)
TRUE.
Greater the blood pressure, the more risk people are from complications of hypertension
MODIFIABLE risk factors for hypertension
- Excess dietary salt
- Poor diet and obesity
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Lack of physical activity
- Deprivation and socio-economic status
- Mental health and stress-
NON-MODIFIABLE risk factors for hypertension
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Genetics
- Gender
What are the advantages of home BP monitoring?
- Strong association with cardiovascular outcomes
- Detects white coat and masked hypertension
What are the advantages of ambulatory BP monitoring?
- Strong association with cardiovascular outcomes
- Detects white coat and masked hypertension
- BP measured at work and at night (i.e., during sleep)
What are the advantages of clinic measurements?
- Associated with cardiovascular outcomes
- Only method that has been used to guide treatment in large outcome trials
What are the disadvantages of home BP monitoring?
- Patients may not correctly measure and report their BP
- Requires patient training and re-training
- Many home devices are not validated
What are the disadvantages of clinic measurements?
- Less precise as only 1 or 2 BP measurements are typically obtained
- Many factors affect the accuracy of readings
- Requires training and frequent re-training of staff
What are the disadvantages of ambulatory BP monitoring?
- Not tolerated by some patients
- Equipment is not widely available
- Requires two clinic visits to set up and return the device
Non-pharmacological advice for hypertension
- Weight loss
- Diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, reduced saturated fats
- Reduced salt intake
- Regular aerobic physical activity
- Moderation of alcohol & caffeine intake
- Address other CV risk factors e.g. smoking, dyslipidaemia
- Stress management