Clinical and pathological aspects of cardiovascular disease Flashcards
How many people in the UK are living with CV disease?
approx 7 million
Primary (essential) hypertension has multifactorial aetiology - name the 4 examples
- Genetic factors
- Environmental (e.g. obesity, alcohol, salt intake, stress)
- Humoral mechanisms
- Insulin resistance
What percentage of hypertension cases are primary hypertension (i.e. no cause found)?
90%.
Remaining 10% is secondary hypertension (i.e. cause found)
What value would be considered to be raised blood pressure?
> 140/90 mm Hg
Between what age is primary hypertension normally detected?
20-50 years of age
What could cause secondary hypertension? (5)
Renal disease
Pregnancy
Endocrine disease
Drugs (e.g. pill, corticosteroids)
Coarctation of the aorta (birth defect where part of aorta is narrower)
How would you diagnose hypertension?
Measure blood pressure on at least 3 occasions over 3 month period.
Patients often require 24 hr monitor
How would you treat secondary hypertension?
You would treat the cause if possible, as it is secondary
How would you treat primary/essential hypertension?
- General advice (6)
- Medical treatment (5)
1. Weight loss Increase exercise Reduce alcohol Stop smoking Reduce salt intake Increase fruit and veg intake
- (AABCD)
ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g. candesartan)
Beta blockers (e.g. atenolol)
Calcium channel blockers (e.g. nifedipine)
Diuretics (e.g. Bendroflumethiazide)
What are the complications of hypertension? (5)
Heart failure Stroke (cerebrovascular accident CVA) Coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction Renal failure Peripheral vascular disease
Outline the dental relevance of hypertension (7)
- Know to minimise stress and pain in order to minimise a further increase in BP (as this could then lead to CVA or MI)
- Can have LA with adrenaline (as long as IV injection avoided)
- Controlled hypertensive - treated as normotensive
- Uncontrolled hypertensive - delay elective treatment and refer to GP
- Severe hypertension - refer urgently to GP or hospital
- Post-operative bleeding more likely
- Patient likely to be taking aspirin
What measurements indicate uncontrolled hypertension?
> 140/90mmHg
What measurements indicate severe hypertension?
> 180/110 mmHg
Dental relevance of hypertension: what oral manifestations may arise if your patient is taking ACE inhibitors? (3)
Loss of taste
Angioedema
Lichenoid reactions
Dental relevance of hypertension: what oral manifestations may arise if your patient is taking beta blockers? (1)
Lichenoid reactions
Dental relevance of hypertension: what oral manifestations may arise if your patient is taking calcium channel blockers? (1)
Gingival overgrowth
Dental relevance of hypertension: what oral manifestations may arise if your patient is taking diuretics? (1)
Xerostomia
What is an intima/tunica intima?
It is the innermost layer of an artery or vein
Describe a normal intima (3)
<0.1 mm thick
Loose fibrous tissue
Endothelial layer on top
What is atherosclerosis?
It is a prevalent disease affecting large elastic and muscular arteries.
Intima thickens - composed of lipid derived from plasma and deposits of extra connective tissue
May calcify over time
Outline the possible locations of atherosclerosis (4)
Aorta
Carotid
Coronary arteries
More peripheral (e.g. legs of diabetics)
What are the possible complications of atherosclerosis? (7)
Rupture Ulceration Thrombosis Haemorrhage Calcification Aneurysm Embolus