HTN Flashcards

1
Q

What is the medical term used to describe high blood pressure?

A

Hypertension

Hypertension is a significant health concern as untreated high blood pressure can lead to various medical problems.

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2
Q

What are the two numbers in a blood pressure reading called?

A

Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure

For example, in a reading of 120/80 mm Hg, 120 is the systolic and 80 is the diastolic.

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3
Q

What is the worldwide prevalence of hypertension?

A

Around 26%, totaling 1 billion people

Of these, 1% to 2% will suffer a hypertensive crisis in their lifetime.

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4
Q

What is the most common cause of hypertensive crisis?

A

Essential hypertension that is either undiagnosed or uncontrolled

Other causes include renal disease and pregnancy-related eclampsia.

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5
Q

What is a major barrier to medication adherence in hypertensive patients?

A

Cost of the medicine prescribed

Other factors include misunderstanding the need for medication and fear of side effects.

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6
Q

What defines a hypertensive emergency?

A

Severe elevations in blood pressure (usually greater than 180/120 mm Hg) with evidence of new or worsening target-organ damage

Acute target-organ damage can include conditions like hypertensive encephalopathy or acute myocardial infarction.

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7
Q

What is the recommended blood pressure reduction in the first hour for hypertensive emergencies?

A

25% reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP)

This is to prevent further organ damage.

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8
Q

What is the treatment approach for hypertensive urgency?

A

Resume oral medications and lower BP gradually over 24-48 hours

Adjusting chronic oral therapy or adding a new agent may be appropriate.

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9
Q

Which medication is no longer recommended for hypertensive urgency due to risks?

A

Sublingual nifedipine

It was associated with severe hypotension and organ ischemia.

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10
Q

What is the goal for treating hypertensive emergencies?

A

Minimize target-organ damage by early initiation of appropriate antihypertensive treatment

This includes lowering blood pressure safely and effectively.

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11
Q

What is the most common type of stroke?

A

Ischemic stroke

87% of strokes are ischemic strokes, which occur due to interrupted blood flow.

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12
Q

What is the NIHSS used for?

A

To assess neurological deficit and identify patients for fibrinolytic or mechanical intervention

It is an 11-item assessment scale with scores ranging from 0 to 42.

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13
Q

What is the initial treatment goal for a patient experiencing a hypertensive emergency?

A

Lower BP by no more than 25% in the first hour

Then reduce SBP to 160 mm Hg and DBP to 100-110 mm Hg over the next 2-6 hours.

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14
Q

What pharmacological agent is contraindicated in patients with advanced aortic stenosis?

A

Nicardipine

It is a potent calcium channel blocker with marked vasodilator action.

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15
Q

Fill in the blank: The most important risk factor for stroke is _______.

A

Hypertension

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16
Q

What is a significant complication of hypertensive emergencies?

A

Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

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17
Q

What are some common risk factors for stroke?

A
  • Hypertension
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Gender (females > males)
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Diabetes
  • Prior stroke or TIA

These factors significantly increase the risk of stroke.

18
Q

True or False: All patients with hypertensive urgency should be reevaluated within 7 days.

19
Q

What is intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)?

A

A type of stroke characterized by bleeding within the brain.

20
Q

What is the score range of the 11 item assessment scale for ICH?

A

Scores range from 0 to 42 (0 - lowest severity, 42 - highest severity).

21
Q

Name three neuroimaging techniques used for assessing ICH.

A
  • CT
  • MRI
  • Other imaging techniques
22
Q

List three lab tests included in the diagnostic workup for ICH.

A
  • Blood glucose level
  • Coagulation profile (INR, APTT, PT)
  • ECG
23
Q

What is the most important risk factor for ICH?

A

Hypertension

24
Q

What are two other risk factors for ICH?

A
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atherosclerosis
25
Q

What is the recommended time frame for thrombolysis with tPA in ischemic stroke?

A

Within 4.5 hours after onset.

26
Q

What is the role of antiplatelet therapy in ischemic stroke management?

A

Aspirin is recommended within 24 to 48 hours after onset.

27
Q

What is the maximum dose of Alteplase (t-PA) for treating stroke?

28
Q

What is the mechanism of action of Alteplase (t-PA)?

A

Binds to fibrin in the thrombus and converts plasminogen to plasmin leading to fibrinolysis.

29
Q

Fill in the blank: The primary endpoint in the EXTEND-IA-TNK study was __________.

A

reperfusion of greater than 50% of the involved ischemic territory.

30
Q

True or False: Tenecteplase resulted in a better 90-day functional outcome than Alteplase.

31
Q

What is the goal blood pressure recommended for hypertension management after a stroke?

A

Less than 130/80 mmHg.

32
Q

List two secondary prevention measures for ischemic stroke.

A
  • Treatment of modifiable risk factors
  • Aspirin administration
33
Q

What are the two types of hemorrhagic stroke?

A
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)
  • Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)
34
Q

What is the primary complication in ICH?

A

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP).

35
Q

What treatment is used to prevent cerebral artery vasospasm after SAH?

A

Oral nimodipine.

36
Q

What is the dose of nimodipine for SAH?

A

60 mg PO Q4H for 21 days.

37
Q

What is the role of the pharmacist in stroke management?

A
  • Assessment and treatment of blood pressure and glucose
  • Review of inclusion/exclusion criteria for fibrinolysis
  • Patient education and counseling
38
Q

What is the contraindication for using anticoagulants during a hemorrhagic stroke?

A

Anticoagulants should not be used while a patient is bleeding.

39
Q

Fill in the blank: The treatment for hemorrhagic strokes is largely __________.

A

supportive.

40
Q

What is a common symptom of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)?

A

Severe headache.

41
Q

What is the main cause of SAH?

A

Cerebral aneurysm rupture.