GP ILAs Flashcards
What are the causes of hypertension?
Essential/primary hypertension Secondary hypertension- - Cushings Disease - Conns Syndrome -Renal artery stenosis - Coarctation of the aorta - Phaeochromatoma- postural HT, headache, palpitations, pallor, sweating - Renal disease (PKD, glomerulonephritis)
How is hypertension diagnosed?
Suspect if clinical BP >140/90
Confirm it with ABPM >135/85
What are the stages in severity of hypertension?
Stage 1- Clinic BP >140/90 or ABPM >135/85
Stage 2- Clinic BP >160/100 or ABPM >150/95
Severe- Systolic >180 or >110
(all =< rather than 20% = Stage 2
What is the management of hypertension?
Stage 1: Lifestyle modification- weight, salt, exercise, alcohol, stress
Stage 2:
<55 = ACEi or ARB
>55 or Afro-Caribbean = CCB (amlodipine or verapamil)
Then combine
Then add thiazide- like diuretic e.g. indapamide
Then refer for expert advice and add spironolactone if potassium <4.5, or a-blocker or BB if above >4.5
What investigations would you do in hypertension?
End organ damage (12 lead ECG, U&Es, eGFR and urine dip, renal USS)
CVD risk- BG, fasting lipids
Secondary causes- dexamethasone suppression, 24 urinary metanephrines
What is target BP in
a) >80 year old
b) under 80
c) diabetes with signs of end-organ damage
a) <150/85
b) <140/85
c) <135/85
What are the causes of chronic heart failure?
High output and low output
High output means the needs of the body have increased beyond that which the heart can supply e.g. hyperthyroidism, anaemia, Paget’s, AV malformation
Low output means decreased heart function. This can either be:
- Increased pre-load (mitral regurg, fluid overload such as CKD)
- Pump failure (cardiac muscle disease, decreased expansion of the heart)
- Chronic excessive overload or aortic stenosis
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
Breathlessness, fluid retention, fatigue, syncope, orthopnoea, PND
What are the signs of heart failure?
Tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnoea, basal creps, oedema, displaced apex beat, raised JVP, hepatomegaly, ascites
What is the classification system for HF?
NYHA
Talks about limitations to physical activity
What are the investigations for acute HF?
ECG, CXR
Bloods- U&Es, eGFR, TFTs, LFTs, fasting glucose, FBC, fasting lipids
Diagnosis by BNP or NT-pro-BNP
> 400pg/ml- urgent TTE (trans-thoracic echo)
100-400- TTE within 2 weeks
What are the investigations for chronic HF?
Same as acute
Except refer to cardiology and organise ECHO within 2 weeks if no history of MI
What can reduce BNP?
Obesity Diuretics ACEi BBs/ ARBs Aldosterone antagonists
What else can raise BNP?
LVH Ischaemia Tachycardia Sepsis COPD
What does an ECG show for HF?
Ischaemia or hypertrophy
What does a CXR show for HF?
Alveolar oedema Kerley B lines Cardiomegaly Dilated upper vessels/ upper lobe diversion Pleural effusion
When would you refer HF to an MDT?
1st diagnosis, severe case, failure to manage in primary care, comorbid vascular disease
Who is involved in the management of HF in primary care?
GP, ANPs, district nurses, third sector (BHF), family, counselling services, palliative care, CMHTs
What are non-pharmacological measures of HF?
Educate, diet and exercise, stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, restrict fluid intake, vaccination- annual flu and once-only pneumococcal
What are the pharmacological measures in HF?
1st line- ACEi and BB, loop diuretic for symptomatic relief
2nd line- Refer
If NYHA 3/4 or MI in last month, begin spironolactone
Consider hydralazine with nitrate for Afro-Caribbean patients
3rd line-
Digoxin
Ivabradine- decrease HR (AEs= luminous phenomena, visual effects)
Other drugs to consider- anticoagulation (if AF), aspirin (if athersclerotic arterial disease), statins (anti-cholesterol), amlodipine (treatment for angina and hypertension)
What diuretic is used in HF? How do they work?
Furosemide 20-40 mg or bumetanide 1-2mg OD
It is loop diuretic, that works by inhibiting the Na/K/Cl co-transporter
AEs- dehydration, hypotension, low electrolyte statue, hearing loss and tinnitus
CIs- Hypovolaemia or dehydration, hepatic encephalopathy, severe hypokalaemia, severe hyponatraemia, worsen gout
What is an example of a thiazide-like diuretic?
Bendroflumethazide
Name an example of an ACEi and an ARB?
ACEi- Ramipril
ARB- Candersartan
How do ACE inhibitors work?
They inhibit ACE in the lungs
- Blood pressure is decreased due to reduced blood volume, peripheral resistance and cardiac load
- They inhibit vasoconstriction and release of aldosterone which inhibits the retention of sodium and water
What are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?
Persistent dry cough (due to increased bradykinin), hypotension, angiooedema, hyperkalaemia, worsen renal failure (esp renal artery stenosis)
What are contraindications of ACE inhibitors?
Renal artery stenosis, AKI, pregnant and/or breastfeeding
What needs to be monitored when increasing dose of ACE inhibitors?
Serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes and eGFR at initiation and with every increase in dose
How do beta blockers work?
Reduce the force of contraction and speed of conduction of the heart. This relieves myocardial ischaemia by reducing cardiac work and O2 demand, and increasing myocardial perfusion
They also lower BP by reducing renin secretion from the kidneys.