HTN

Question 1

HTN: Definition

Answer 1

• High blood pressure
• HTN isn’t really a condition, more of a haemodynamic state
• stage 1/2 less severe: 130/80 - 139/89
• stage 2/2 more severe: 140/90 +
• primary/ essential/ idiopathic HTN (85%): cause not known
• secondary HTN: HTN caused by another (known) condition

Question 2

HTN: Aetiology

Answer 2

• essential/ primary/ idiopathic HTN (85%) has no known aetiology pretty much by definition, but obv it has to have a cuause, so..
  
  • hypervolemia, maybe as a result of hyper hypernatraemia, can cause HTN
    
    • obesity
    • stress
    • smoking
    • (common sense stuff)
      secondary HTN is caused by a known disease, some egs:
  • kidney disease
  • adrenal disease
  • thyroid problems
  • obstructive sleep apnea
  • hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome)

Question 3

HTN: Risk factors

Answer 3

• Diabetes
• Unhealthy Diet
• Physical Inactivity
• Obesity
• Too Much Alcohol
• Tobacco Use
• Genetics and Family History

Question 4

HTN: Pathophysiology

Answer 4

• Depends on aetiology

Question 5

HTN: Cinical manifestations: key presentations, other symptoms and signs

Answer 5

• HTN isn’t really a condition, more of a haemodynamic state
• Usually asymptomatic

Question 6

HTN: Investigations (diagnosis): 1st line, gold standard & other

Answer 6

• Pretty easy, measure BP

Question 7

HTN: DDx

Answer 7

• As it’s often asymptomatic and very easy to diagnose via BP measure, there isn’t really any DDx

Question 8

HTN: Management

Answer 8

• antihypertensives
  
  • beta-blockers
  • ACE inhibitors
  • angiotensin-II receptor inhibitors/ blockers
  • Ca2+ channel blocker
  • diuretics
  • renin inhibitors
  • alpha-blockers