gp_20231205142255 Flashcards
What are the thresholds for diagnosis of hypertension?
140/90 clinic BP 135/85 ambulatory BP
What is the main cause of hypertension?
Essential hypertension - unknown cause
What are the secondary causes of hypertension?
ROPED R - renal failureO - obesity P - pre-eclampsiaE - endocrine D - drugs - NSAIDs, alcohol, steroids, oestrogen
What is the most common cause of secondary hypertension?
Renal failure
What are the risks of high blood pressure?
Increased risk of:- Stroke - IHD - Heart failure - Left ventricular hypertrophy - Hypertensive retinopathy - Kidney failure- Vascular dementia
What is stage 1 hypertension?
Clinic BP >140/90 Ambulatory BP > 135/85
What is stage 2 hypertension?
Clinic BP > 160/100Ambulatory BP > 150/95
What is stage 3 hypertension?
Clinic BP > 180/20
What investigations should all those with a new diagnosis of hypertension have?
Urine albumin:creatinine ratio Urine dipstick HbA1cRenal function LipidsFundoscopy ECGCalculate Q riskTFTs - check for secondary causes
What medications are used in the management of hypertension?
Under 55:- 1st line - ACE inhibitor - 2nd line - ARB Over 55:- 1st line - calcium channel blockerBlack or afro-carribean background:- 1st line - CCB Type 2 diabetes patients - 1st line - ACE inhibitor Alternative medications:- Beta blockers + potassium sparing diuretics - 4th line - Thiazide like diuretic - 3rd line
What is malignant hypertension?
Hypertension above 180/120 with papilloedema
What is the treatment of malignant hypertension?
Same day referral for IV antihypertensives:- Sodium nitroprusside - Labetolol- GTN - Nicardipine
What lifestyle changes can patients make to manage their hypertension?
Stop smoking Reduce alcohol intake Reduce caffeine intake Reducing dietary salt Diet and exercise
What should be monitored in patients on antihypertensives?
Serum electrolytes Kidney functionCheck blood pressure
Which thiazide like diuretic is most commonly used in hypertension?
Indapamide
What is heart failure?
Impaired heart function, usually of the left ventricle - blood can’t get out to the body
What is the pathophysiology of heart failure?
Impaired left ventricular function resulting in blood backing up into the left ventricle and the rest of the heart The left atrium, pulmonary vein and lungs are increased in volume and pressure This results in pulmonary oedema
What is a normal ejection fraction?
Above 50%
What is ejection fraction?
The proportion of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out of the heart with each contraction
What are the causes of heart failure?
Ischaemic heart diseaseValvular heart disease - aortic stenosis Hypertension Arrhythmias - AFCardiomyopathy
What is the presentation of heart failure?
BreathlessnessCough with frothy pink/white sputumOrthopnoea Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea Peripheral oedema Fatigue
What signs of heart failure would be seen on examination?
TachypnoeaTachycardia Hypertension Murmurs (if caused by valvulvar heart disease)3rd heart sound Bilateral basal cracklesRaised JVPPeripheral oedema
What investigations are used to diagnose heart failure?
ECGEchocardiogram BNP Bloods - LFT, TFT, U&E, FBC, lipids, HbA1c, inflammatory markersChest XR
What are the differentials of heart failure?
COPD
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pneumonia
Ageing/physical inactivity
What are the classes of heart failure?
Class 1 - no limitation of activity
Class 2 - comfortable at rest but symptomatic with normal activities
Class 3 - comfortable at rest but symptomatic with any activity
Class 4 - symptomatic at rest
What is the first line medical management of heart failure?
ACE inhibitor
Beta blocker
Aldosterone antagonist (if symptoms are not controlled by A+B)
Loop diuretics
What are haemorrhoids?
Enlarged anal vascular cushions
What are the risk factors for haemorrhoids?
Straining Constipation Pregnancy Obesity Increased age Increased intra-abdominal pressure
What is an anal cushion?
Submucosal tissue in the anus that contains connections between arteries and veins, making it very vascular
What is the classification of haemorrhoids?
Class 1 - no prolapse
Class 2 - prolapse on straining and return on relaxation
Class 3 - prolapse on straining with no return on relaxation, but that can be pushed back
Class 4 - prolapsed permenantly
What is the presentation of haemorrhoids?
Bright red bleeding upon wiping or after opening bowels Blood not mixed with stool Sore/itchy anus Intermittent protrusion
What are the differentials of haemorrhoids?
Anal fissure Crohn’s diseaseUlcerative colitis Bowel cancerAnal fistulaDiverticulosis
What is the first line investigation of haemorrhoids?
Inspection and PR exam
What other investigations may be performed in the diagnosis of haemorrhoids?
FBC Colonoscopy (to exclude other conditions)
What is the management of haemorrhoids?
Topical treatments - anusol Rubber band ligation Sclerotherapy Surgical treatment - haemorrhoidal artery ligation or haemorrhoidectomy
What is a thrombosed haemorrhoid?
Where there is strangulation at the base of the haemorrhoid which causes thrombosis in the haemorrhoid
What lifestyle advice should be given to someone with haemorrhoids?
More dietary fibre Good fluid intake Using laxatives where required Avoid straining
What is the most effective emergency contraception?
Copper IUD
How long after sex is a copper IUD effective for emergency contraception?
120 hours (5 days)
How does the copper IUD work?
It prevents implantation as it is toxic to both egg and sperm
How long can a copper IUD stay in place?
Up to 10 years
What are the contraindications to the copper IUD?
Up to 28 days postpartum Repeated history of STIs Current pelvic infection Distorted uterus Abnormal cervix Unexplained bleeding
What is the UKMEC criteria?
UKMEC1 - no restriction in use UKMEC2 - benefits outweigh risksUKMEC3 - risks outweigh benefits UKMEC4 - absolute contraindication
What contraception should women with breast cancer avoid?
Any hormonal contraception - Copper IUD or barrier methods are best choice
What contraception should women with Wilson’s disease avoid?
Copper IUD
What contraception should women with cervical or endometrial cancer avoid?
IUS
What are diaphragms and cervical caps?
Silicone caps that fit across the cervix to prevent semen from entering the uterus
How is a diaphragm/cervical cap used?
Fitted before sex, and left in for 6 hours after sexUsed alongside spermicide gel
How effective is the COCP?
99% with perfect use 91% with typical use
How does the COCP prevent pregnancy?
Prevents ovulation (primary method)Progesterone thickens cervical mucus Progesterone inhibits proliferation of the endometrium
How does the COCP prevent ovulation?
Oestrogen and progesterone have negative feedback on the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus In turn, less FH and LSH is released from the anterior pituitary, without which ovulation cannot occur
What are the first line choices of progesterone for the COCP?
Levonorgestrel or norethisterone
Why are levonorgestrel and norethisterone the first line choices of progesterone?
They have a lower VTE risk
What is the first line COCP for PMS?
Yasmin - containing drospirenone
Which is the first line COCP for acne and hirtruism?
Dianette - containing cyprotenone acetate
What are the three regimes for COCP use?
21 days on, 7 days off 63 days on, 7 days offContinuous use
What are the common side effects of the COCP?
Unscheduled bleeding in first 3 months Breast pain and tendernessMood changes and depression Headaches
What are the risks of the COCP?
Hypertension Small increase in risk of breast cancer, and cervical cancerVTE Small risk of MI and stroke
What are the contraindications to the COCP?
Over 35 and smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day Migraine with aura History of VTEUncontrolled hypertensionIshcaemic heart diseaseHistory of vascular disease or strokeLiver cirrhosis SLE
What extra protection is required when starting the COCP?
Up to day 5 - no extra protection requiredDay 5 onwards - condoms for the first 7 days of pill taking
What extra protection is required in the case of a missed pill?
If it is less than 72 hours since the last pill taken: - Take the missed pill as soon as possible - No extra action requried
What extra protection is required in the case of more than 1 missed pill?
Take the missed pill as soon as possible Additional contraception needed for 7 days Day 1-7 of packet - emergency contraception neededDay 8-14 - no emergency contraception neededDay 15-21 - no emergency contraception required, but skip 7 day pill free period
Can the COCP be used during a major operation?
No - the COCP should be stopped 4 weeks before a major operation
What is the only absolute contraindication to the POP?
Breast cancer
What are the two types of POP?
Traditional POPDesogestrel only pill
What is the time window for taking the traditional POP?
3 hours
What is the time window for taking the desogestrel only pill?
12 hours
What is the mechanism of action of the traditional POP?
Inhibits proliferation of the endometrium Thickens cervical mucus Reduces ciliary action in the fallopian tubes
What is the mechanism of action of the desogestrel only pill?
Inhibits ovulationInhibits proliferation of the endometrium Thickens cervical mucus Reduces ciliary action in the fallopian tubes
What extra protection is needed when starting the POP?
No extra protection needed if started on days 1-5Day 6 onwards - additional contraception required for 48 hours
What are the side effects of the POP?
Unscheduled bleeding during first three months Breast tendernessHeadaches Acne
What are the risks of the POP?
Increased risk of ovarian cystsRisk of ectopic pregnancy with traditional POPIncreased risk of breast cancer