Essential (Primary) hypertension

Question 1

what is essential hypertension classified as

Answer 1

blood pressure above or equal to 140/90 mmHg

Question 2

classification of hypertension

Answer 2

normal is below 120/80

grade 1 is 140/90 - 159/99

grade 2 is 160/100 - 179/109

grade 3 is above 180/110

Question 3

why is it important to treat hypertension

Answer 3

reduces risks of mortality and also renal, cardiac, vascular, and cerebrovascular complications

Question 4

what are some lifestyle changes recommended to ALL patients

Answer 4

weight loss to optimise BMI, exercise, decreased sodium intake, less alcohol and smoking cessation

Question 5

risk factors for developing essential hypertension

Answer 5

Obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol, diabetes, black ancestry, age, family Hx, high dietary sodium intake

Question 6

some symptoms and signs in a hypertensive patient

Answer 6

retinopathy, headache, visual changes, dyspnoea

Question 7

investigations to diagnose

Answer 7

140/90 mmHg or above in 3 occasions

Question 8

investigations after a diagnosis for holistic care

Answer 8

ECG, fasting metabolic panel, lipid panel, urinalysis, Hb, TSH

Question 9

first step of management for ALL hypertensive (or risk of) patients

Answer 9

lifestyle changes and monitoring

Question 10

examples of hypertensives

Answer 10

Beta blockers, Calcium channel blockers, thiazide diuretics, ACEi’s, ARB’s