hypertension Flashcards
what is the clinic measurement of high blood pressure
a clinic blood pressure of 140/90mmhg or more
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systolic = 140 or more
(diastolic = 90 or more)
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what are the 3 stages of hypertension and their clinic blood measurements
stage 1 = from 140/90mmhg (clinic bp). (home/ambulatory bp 135/85mmhg)
stage 2= from 160/100 mmhg . (150/95 for home/ambulatory bp)
stage 3 (severe)= a systolic of 180mmhg + or a diastolic of 120mmhg+
note all of these are clinic blood pressures not home blood pressure monitoring
what is accelerated (or malignant) hypertension
when your blood pressure suddenly raises to more than 180mmhg and you have signs of retinal haemorrhage or papilloedema (swelling of the optic nerve)
when should you refer patients with hypertension for a same day specialist appointment
- if they have severe hypertension (systolic = 180mmhg+ or diastolic= 120mmhg+) with or without symptoms such as: retinal haemorrhage, accelerated hypertension, chest pain, confusion, acute kidney injury or signs of heart failure
- signs of phaeochromocytoma (tumour on the adrenal glands) such as postural hypotension, headache, palpitations, abdominal pain, pale skin (pallor)
what is the target blood pressure patients UNDER 80 years old
clinic blood pressure = 140/90mmhg
home blood pressure monitor (HBPM) = 135/85 mmhg
what is the target blood pressure for patients OVER 80 years old
clinic blood pressure = 150/90 mmhg
home blood pressure monitor (HBPM)= 145/85 mmhg
when should you consider starting a patient on anti-hypertensive drug treatment
- under 80 with stage 1 hypertension and target organ damage or with a 10 year cardiovascular risk of > 10%
- all patients with stage 2 hypertension regardless of age
- severe hypertension (same day specialist referral). Start IV antihypertensives immediately
- if under 40 with stage 1 hypertension, seek specialist advice for secondary causes of hypertension
what should you do if a patient is under 40 with stage 1 hypertension
get specialist advice for secondary causes of hypertension
which patients do you need to assess their cardiovascular risk
need to assess cardiovascular risk of all patients with confirmed hypertension using clinic blood pressure measurements
what monitoring should occur when you assess a patients cardiovascular risk
- glycated haemoglobin
- electrolytes
- creatinine
- estimated glomular filtration rate (EGFR)
- total and HDL cholesterol
- tests for the presence of proteinuria, haematuria, and hypertensive retinopathy undertaken
- 12-lead ECG performed
what must be controlled before aspirin is given
blood pressure
why is aspirin not recommended for PRIMARY prevention of cardiovascular disease
because there is limited benefit of its use in primary cardiovascular disease but there is still an increased risk of bleeding
what can be used in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
a lipid-lowering drug (statin)
*note statins used in both primary + secondary CVD prevention)
what patients should start a low dose of atorvastatin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
- those with 10% or greater 10-year risk of developing CVD (using the QRISK2 calculator)
- patients with chronic kidney disease
- type 1 diabetes and 40+ years old
- have had type 1 diabetes for more than 10 years
- type 1 diabetes with nephropathy or other CVD risks
what is the target for non-HDL cholesterol when taking statins
a 40% or more reduction in non-HDL cholesterol
if this is not achieved, check adherence and lifestyle
when would ezetimibe be used in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
if a patient had a high CVD risk but statins were contraindicated and in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia
what should be discussed at the annual review of a patient taking statins
name some monitoring tests
- non-fasting, non-HDL cholesterol concentration
- CVD risk factors
- medication adherence
- lifestyle modifications
montoring tests:
- liver function (statins can cause liver damage)
- creatine kinase (test myalgia + rhabdomyolysis)
what should be checked 3 months after starting a high intensity statin
- total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol concentration
- liver function test
aiming for a 40%+ reduction in non-HDL cholesterol
name the 3 high intensity statins and their doses
- atorvastatin (20mg or over dose)
- rosuvastatin (10mg or over dose)
- simvastatin (80mg dose)
what antiplatelets are used in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
- low dose aspirin (75mg daily)
- clopidogrel in patients who are intolerant to aspirin or aspirin is contra-indicated
why is high dose simvastatin generally avoided unless a patient has been stable on it for at least one year
there is a high risk of myopathy (muscle weakness)
what is the first line treatment for patients with:
- type 2 diabetes + hypertension
- type 1 diabetes + hypertension
- <55 years old + hypertension and NOT black african / caribbean
- name examples of drugs
first line treatment =
ACE inhibitor e.g ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril
or
ARB e.g candersartan, losartan, irbersartan, valsartan
name 3 examples of ace inhibitors
they end in “ril”
rampiril, lisinopril, enalapril
name 3 examples ARB (angiotensin receptor blockers)
end in “sartan”
candesartan, losartan, irbersartan, valsartan,
why would you switch a patient from an ACE inhibitor to ARB
if they can a persistent dry cough on the ACE inhibitor (common side effect) so couldn’t tolerate the ACE inhibitor.
what is the first line treatment for hypertension in patients:
- more than 55 years old
- black african / Caribbean (any age)
- name examples of drugs
calcium channel blockers (CCB) e.g amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine
if intolerant offer thiazide-like diuretic