Chapter 2 - Blood Pressure Conditions Flashcards
What is hypertension?
Persistently raised arterial blood pressure
How is hypertension diagnosed?
Seated with the arm outstretched and support, and in a relaxed environment.
Over 140/90mmHg - take a second reading
Over 140/90mmHg again - offer ABPM or HBPM
Over 180/120mmHg - refer to specialist
What is ABPM and HBPM
ABPM - The BP is measured every half an hour for 24 hours and the average is taken
HBPM - The BP is measured twice a day for a minimum of 4 days (ideally 7 days)
How is hypertension classified?
Stage 1
Clinic BP 140/90-160/100mmHg
ABPM/HBPM 135/85-150/95
Stage 2
Clinic BP 160/100-180/20mmHg
ABPM/HBPM >150/95
Stage 3
Clinic BP
Systolic >180mmHg, diastolic >120mmHg
What are the blood pressure targets in <80 years and >80 years?
<80 - <140/90mmHg
>80 - <150/90mmHg
What are the blood pressure targets in diabetes?
Type 1 - <135/85mmHg
Type 2 - <140/90mmHg
Type 2 with renal disease, retinopathy or cerebrovascular disease <130/80
What are the blood pressure targets in renal disease?
<140/90mmHg
If there is coexisting diabetes, or if the ACR is >70, <130/80mmHg
What is the blood pressure target in pregnancy?
<135/85 mmHg
What are the lifestyle changes you would discuss in people with hypertension?
Lose weight Increase exercise Reduce alcohol consumption Reduce dietary salt and saturated fat Stop smoking Reduce caffeine intake
How is stage 1 hypertension managed?
For all patients give lifestyle advice
Aged >80 - consider treatment is BP is >150/90mmHg
Aged 60-80 - consider treatment if patients have one of:
Target organ damage
Coexisting renal damage, diabetes or CVD
A 10-year CVD risk of over 10%
Aged 40-60 - consider treatment if there is a 10-year CVD risk of over 10%
Aged <40 - refer to specialist
How is stage 2 hypertension managed?
Give lifestyle advice
Start drug treatment
How is stage 3 hypertension managed?
If there are symptoms of retinal haemorrhage, papilledema, or life threatening symptoms e.g. chest pain, new onset confusion, AKI - same day referral to specialist
If these symptoms aren’t present assess target organ damage
Target organ damage present - start antihypertensives immediately
Target organ damage absent - do ABPM/HBPM
How is hypertension managed in <55 years or in any diabetic patients?
- ACEi/ARB
- ACEi/ARB + CCB/thiazide
- ACEi/ARB + CCB + thiazide
- Same as above. If potassium <4.5mmol/L spironolactone, if potassium >4.5mmol/L beta blocker or alpha blocker
How is hypertension managed in >55 years or in black African/Caribbean patients?
- CCB
- CCB + ACEi/ARB/thiazide
- CCB + ACEi/ARB + thiazide
- Same as above. If potassium <4.5mmol/L spironolactone, if potassium >4.5mmol/L beta blocker or alpha blocker
Is an ACEi or an ARB preferred in black African/Caribbean patients?
ARB
Why aren’t ACEi/ARBs first line in black African/Caribbean patients?
These patients have a greater likelihood of having a lower renin profile
When should you refer hypertension to a specialist?
BP uncontrolled despite an optimal dose of 4 drugs
Patients aged <40
Patients with retinal haemorrhage, papilledema, or life threatening symptoms e.g. new onset confusion, chest pain
In patients with heart failure and hypertension, would you offer a CCB or thiazide?
Thiazide like diuretic
CCBs can worsen HF, especially rate-limiting CCBs e.g. verapamil
What is gestational hypertension?
New-onset hypertension that develops 20 weeks after gestation
What is pre-eclampsia?
New-onset hypertension that develops 20 weeks after gestation and is damaged multiple organs e.g. liver and kidneys
Who is more at risk of pre-eclampsia and what should be done to prevent pre-eclampsia is these patients?
Women more at risk: People with CKD, diabetes, autoimmune disease, chronic hypertension Aged over 40 BMI over 35 10 year pregnancy interval Multiple pregnancy Family history of pre-eclampsia
Give aspirin 75mg OD from 12 weeks gestation (unlicensed)
What antihypertensives are given in pregnancy?
First line labetalol
Second line m/r nifedipine
Third line methyldopa
What is given for hypertension in breastfeeding mothers?
Black African/Caribbean patients - nifedipine or amlodipine
Others - enalapril
Monitor the babies BP and be aware of adverse reactions
What is hypertensive urgency and how is this managed?
This is severe hypertension without acute target organ damage
Use oral antihypertensives e.g. labetalol to reduce the BP over 24-48 hours
What is hypertensive emergency and how is this managed?
This is severe hypertension with acute target organ damage
Treat with IV antihypertensives e.g. hydralazine, labetalol, sodium nitroprusside, to reduce the BP by 20-25% in 2 hours
What are the problems associated with reducing the BP too quickly in hypertensive crisis?
Reduced organ perfusion, which can lead to blindness, MI, renal damage, cerebral infarction
What is phaeochromocytoma?
A rare and usually non-cancerous tumour of the adrenal gland.
It can result in hypertension, headaches, sweating and panic attack symptoms.
It usually requires surgery
What is pulmonary hypertension and what are the treatment options?
High blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs
Treatment options: Epoprostenol Iloprost Sildenafil, tadafil Selexipag Ambrisentan...
What are the three types of drugs that affect the renin angiotensin system?
Can they be used together?
ACE Inhibitors
ARBS
Aliskiren
They are not recommended to be used together, as this increases the risk of hyperkalaemia, hypotension and renal impairment.
The use of aliskiren with an ACEI or ARB is contraindicated in patients with diabetes or an eGFR<60ml/min
How do ACE Inhibitors work?
Block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Should more than one drug from the renin-angiotensin system be used at the same time?
This is not recommended
There is increased risk of hyperkalaemia, hypotension and renal impairment
Askiren and an ACEi/ARB cannot be used in patients with diabetes or an eGFR <60ml/min
What is the risk of using NSAIDs and ACE Inhibitors?
Increased risk of renal damage
What is the risk of using ACE Inhibitors and potassium sparing diuretics?
Hyperkalaemia
What is the risk of using an ACE Inhibitor and a diuretic?
ACE Inhibitors can cause a very rapid drop in BP in volume depleted patients
Initiate at a low dose and monitor