CBL_2 HTN, HF and AF Flashcards
What patients with hypertension are at increased risk of?
- heart failure
- coronary heart disease
- haemorrhagic stroke
- renal damage
Patient position for BP reading
- Patient sat, resting
- 2 BP readings in clinic
- Cuff of correct size, ( small cuff rises BP)
What to do (in the clinic) if the patient has a reading of >140/90
If the BP is up (> 140/90):
- recheck
- also in the other arm
- if arms differ use the highest reading.
What further investigations to arrange for a patient with BP greater than 140/90?
If BP > 140/90:
- arrange a home ambulatory BP (ABPM) monitor reading for 12 hours whilst the patient is active
- alternative is home BP monitor (HBPM) e.g. if someone has a job needing arm movement I
How to carry out home BP monitor measurement? (HBPM)
- The patient records the lowest of 2 readings, repeated twice a day and for a week
- Exclude the first day readings. The remaining 12 readings are averaged
- should be < 135/85
What’s a normal target BP?
135/85
What’s target BP for >80 y old?
<150/90 clinic
<145/85 ABPM or HBPM
What to examine for if a patient has HTN?
- atheroma
- secondary HTN changes
- secondary HTN causes
- QRISK (and required investigations)
QRISK score of which would require a therapy?
>20%
What a QRISK inform us about?
A risk of coronary event in 10 years
What should be the initial step in the management of HTN?
Lifestyle advice initially: diet, exercise, alcohol , caffeine, salt, smoking
Stage 1A hypertension and its management
STAGE 1a hypertension:
BP > 135/85 but <150/95 on ABPM and QRISK <20%
Management: LIFESTYLE measures + review
Stage 1 hypertension - when to treat?
What’s stage 1B hypertension and when to treat?
STAGE1b hypertension:
BP>135/85 but < 150/95 and QRISK>20% or secondary prevention and <80 yrs old : TREAT
Values for stage 2 hypertension. Do we treat it?
STAGE 2 hypertension
any age BP>150/95 -> TREAT
What to do in a <40 years old patient with hypertension?
Refer to specialist to exclude secondary causes of HTN
When do we need same day referral in a patient with HTN? (2)
- possible phaeochromocytoma
- BP >180/110 and papilloedema or retinal haemorrhage
What’s defined as severe hypertension?
Clinic systolic BP >= 180 mmHg
OR
clinic diastolic BP >= 110 mmHg
Treatment of hypertension
What is resistant hypertension?
What’s the management?
a clinic BP >= 140/90 mmHg after step 3 treatment with optimal or best-tolerated doses
Management: step 4 treatment and expert advice
What’s step 4 treatment for resistant hypertension?
- consider further diuretic treatment
- if potassium < 4.5 mmol/l add spironolactone 25mg od
- if potassium > 4.5 mmol/l add higher-dose thiazide-like diuretictreatment
- if further diuretic therapy is not tolerated, or is contraindicated or ineffective, consider an alpha- or beta-blocker
*if failed = expert advice
What are the complications of an uncontrolled AF?
- symptomatic palpitation
- inefficient cardiac function
- increased risk of stroke (as thrombus may form due to turbulent blood flow)
Classification of AF
- first detected episode (irrespective of whether it is symptomatic or self-terminating)
- paroxysmal AF - if 2 or more episodes and they terminate spontaneously (usually last 24 hours and less than 7 days)
- persistent AF - if AF is not self-limiting (usually more than 7 days)
- permanent AF - continuous AF which cannot be cardioverted (or if attempts are made they are inappropriate)
Treatment goals for permanent AF
permanent AF - continuous AF which cannot be cardioverted (or if attempts are made they are inappropriate)
Treatment goals: anticoagulation, rate control
Symptoms and sign (1) of AF
Symptoms
- palpitations
- dyspnoea
- chest pain
Signs
- an irregularly irregular pulse
What (3) conditions can manifest with irregularly irregular pulse?
- AF
- ventricular ectopics
- sinus arrhythmia
Two aims of management of AF
- stroke prevention
- rate/rhythm control
What are the approaches for rate and rhythm control in AF?
- rate control: accept that the pulse will be irregular, but slow the rate down to avoid negative effects on cardiac function
- rhythm control: try to get the patient back into, and maintain, normal sinus rhythm. This is termed cardioversion.
Which one, rhythm or rate control approach in AF is recommended by NICE?
NICE advocate using a rate control strategy except in a number of specific situations such as coexistent heart failure, first onset AF or where there is an obvious reversible cause.
What drugs are used for ‘rate control’ in AF?
First line: Beta-blocker or a rate-limiting calcium channel blocker (e.g. diltiazem)
If one drug does not control the rate adequately NICE recommend combination therapy with any 2 of the following:
- a betablocker
- diltiazem
- digoxin
What is used for rhythm control in AF?
cardioversion
What are the risks of cardioversion?
In cardioversion, the moment a patient switches from AF to sinus rhythm presents the highest risk for embolism leading to stroke. I
(thrombus formed in the fibrillating atrium suddenly being pushed out when sinus rhythm is restored)
For this reason patients must either have had a short duration of symptoms (less than 48 hours) or be anticoagulated for a period of time prior to attempting cardioversion