CVS Health Flashcards
1st line investigation for confirming a diagnosis of HTN in a patient with clinical blood pressure measurement of 140/90 or greater?
ambulatory BP monitoring
Investigations for all people with HTN?
- urine for ACR and dip for haematuria
- bloods-U+Es, HbA1c, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol
- ECG
- examine fundi for presence of hypertensive retinopathy
With which patients with persistent Stage 1 HTN should a discussion be had regarding starting antihypertensive drug treatment?
- target organ damage
- established CVD
- DM
- renal disease
- 10 year CVS risk of 10% or more
consider in addition to lifestyle advice in those aged under 60 with 10 year CVS risk less than 10%
consider in those over 80 with clinic BP >150/90
Who should be offered an ACE or ARB as step 1 antihypertensive tx?
- if aged under 55 years and NOT of black african or afro-caribbean origin
- if have T1/T2DM and of any age or ethnic origin (ARB preferred if black african or afro-caribbean
also if CKD and ACR or 30 or more
Who should be offered a CCB as step 1 tx of HTN?
- if aged 55 and over
- if african/afro-caribbean ethnic origin of any age and DO NOT have T2DM
if CCB not tolerated then offer a thiazide like diuretic as 1st line
also if e/o heart failure offer a thiazide like diuretic
What is resistant HTN?
HTN not controlled in adults taking optimal tolerated doses an ACEi/ARB plus CCB plus thiazide like diuretic.
Before starting step 4 treatment clinic BP readings should be confirmed again with ABPM or HBPM, and assessment for postural hypotension, and drug adherence
Who should be offered spironolactone as step 4 treatment of HTN?
those with resistant HTN and serum K 4.5 or less
Which patients with HTN require same day speciailist assessment?
clinic BP 180/120 or higher with:
signs of retinal haemorrhage or papilloedema (accelerated HTN) OR
life threatening features e.g. chest pain/heart failure/new confusion/AKI
also if suspected pheochromocytoma: labile/postural hypotension/headache/palpitations/pallor/abdo pain/diaphoresis
Why are ARBs better for black african/afro-caribbean patients than ACE inhibitors for BP control?
less likely to cause angioedema
When should an ACE inhibitor/ARB be started for a patient with CKD and diabetes and NOT currently hypertensive?
if their ACR is 3 or greater
How often should patients with chronic heart failure be recalled by their GP?
at least every 6 months
What NT-proBNP level should prompt referral to cardiology for urgent assessment and TTE within 2 weeks?
if pt has suspected heart failure and BNP level greater than 2000 ng/litre (236pmol/L)
Which patients with suspected heart failure should be referred to cardiology for assessment and TTE within 6 weeks?
if NT-proBNP level between 400 and 2000 ng/litre (47-236 pmol/L)
When would you not start an ACE-I as initial drug tx of chronic heart failure in relation to heart valve disease?
if suspicious of haemodynamically significant valve disease, until the valve disease has been assessed by a specialist
How often should ACE-I treatment be monitored in management of chronic heart failure once pt achieved target dose or max tolerated dose?
monthly for 3 months then at least every 6 months, and at any time the person becomes acutely unwell
Alternative tx that may be recommended if pt with chronic heart failure with reduced EF (EF<55%) cannot tolerate an ACE-I or ARB?
hydralazine in combination with a nitrate
consider especially if pt of African or Caribbean family origin and NYHA III or IV with reduced EF
When is ivabradine recommended as an option for treating chronic heart failure?
People with NYHA class II-IV stable chronic HF with systolic dysfunction AND
HR 75 or greater and in SR AND
given ivabradine in comb with standard therapy including beta blocker, ACE-I or ARB and aldosterone antagonist, or when beta blocker CI or not tolerated AND
LVEF of 35% or less
When is sacubitril/valsartan recommended for treating symptomatic chronic HF with reduced EF?
NYHA class II-IV AND LVEF 35% or less AND already taking a stable dose of ACE-I or ARB
Advice on stopping driving in heart failure?
must stop driving for at least 1 month (both cars and HGV), restart driving once your doctor tells you it is safe
if still experiencing sx you must stop driving until the DVLA investigates
Definition of LV systolic impairment?
EF of less than 55%
Pain management in people with critical limb ishcaemia?
Offer paracetamol plus weak or strong opioids
Refer to specialist pain management service if any 1 of:
pain not adequately controlled and revascularisation inappropriate/impossible
ongoing high doses of opioids required
persisting pain post revascularisation/amputation
Apart from lifestyle advice, what management should be offered to all patients with intermittent claudication?
supervised exercise programme
When would you stop a beta blocker in a patient who presents in acute heart failure?
- HR <50
- 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
- shock
Which people is the QRISK2 assessment tool not suitable for?
T1DM CKD age 85 or over PH of CVD familial hypercholesterolaemia