Hypertension Flashcards

1
Q

Name conditions in which Hypertension is a major risk factor for

A

myocardial infarction (MI)

stroke

chronic kidney disease (CKD)

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2
Q

Definition of hypertension

A

Hypertension refers to a persistent elevation of arterial blood pressure, in adults it is BP >140/90 mmHg

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3
Q

Hypertension is classified based on the degree of hypertension. How many stages are there?

A

3 stages

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4
Q

Define stage 1 hypertension

A

BP ≥ 140/90

OR

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) ≥ 135/85

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5
Q

What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

A

It is a 24 hour reading of the blood pressure

Gives a more accurate reading of their BP

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6
Q

Define stage 2 hypertension

A

BP ≥ 160/100

OR

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) ≥ 135/85

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7
Q

Define stage 3 hypertension

A

BP ≥ 180/120

OR

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) ≥ 135/85

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8
Q

At what stage should we start treating hypertension

A

Everyone stage 2 and 3

Stage 1

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9
Q

Define primary hypertension

A

Also known as essential

Primary hypertension is when there is no identifiable underlying cause for the hypertension

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10
Q

The majority of hypertension cases are?

a) primary
b) secondary

A

A) primary - accounts 95% of hypertension cases

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11
Q

Define secondary hypertension

A

Secondary hypertension is when there is an identifiable cause for the hypertension

accounts for 5% of cases however thought to account for more

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12
Q

Name some of the secondary causes for hypertension

A

Mnemonic ROPED:

R – Renal disease (most common).

  • Renovascular disease (e.g. atheromatous, fibromuscular dysplasia)
  • Intrinsic renal disease (e.g. CKD, AKI, glomerulonephritis)

O – Obesity

P – Pregnancy induced hypertension / pre-eclampsia

E – Endocrine:

  • Primary aldosteronism (increasingly recognised as a major cause. Conns syndrome)
  • Phaeochromocytoma
  • Cushing’s syndrome
  • Acromegaly

D – Drugs:

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Oral contraceptives
  • SSRIs
  • NSAIDs
  • EPO
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13
Q

Define Pheochromocytoma

A

A type of neuroendocrine tumour which is derived from chromaffin cells. These cells are found in the medulla of the adrenal glands and in ganglia and are responsible for producing adrenaline and noradrenaline

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14
Q

What are the typical features of hypertension

A

Typically asymptomatic.
Any signs and symptoms may reflect underlying end-organ damage or a potential secondary cause.

Symptoms

Palpitations

Angina

Headaches

Blurred vision

New neurology (e.g. limb weakness, paraesthesia)

Signs

New neurology (e.g. limb weakness, paraesthesia)

Retinopathy

Cardiomegaly

Arrhythmias

Proteinuria

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15
Q

Define Conn’s syndrome

A

Primary aldosteronism (also called Conn’s syndrome) is a rare condition caused by overproduction of aldosterone that controls sodium and potassium in the blood.

Should be considered in patients with hypertension and hypokalaemia and hypernatraemia

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16
Q

Define white coat syndrome

A

This is the phenomenon in which a patients blood pressure will have a higher reading when they have their blood pressure checked in the clinic

It is defined as more than a 20/10 mmHg difference in blood pressure between clinic and ambulatory or home readings.

17
Q

How is hypertensive diagnosed

A

Patients with a clinic blood pressure between 140/90 mmHg and 180/120 mmHg should have 24 hour ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM) to confirm the diagnosis. Those with Stage 3 hypertension (BP ≥ 180/120) immediate treatment is initiated

Blood pressure should be measured in both arms, and if the difference is more than 15 mmHg the reading from the arm with the higher pressure should be used

18
Q

How often should blood pressure be checked as a screen for hypertension?

A

Blood pressure should be taken every 5 years to screen for hypertension.

It should be measured more often in patients that are on the borderline for diagnosis (140/90) and every year in patients with type 2 diabetes.

19
Q

What is the initial management of hypertension

A

Establish a diagnosis.

Investigate for possible causes and end organ damage.

Advise on lifestyle to remove modifiable risk factors. This includes recommending a healthy diet, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol, caffeine and salt intake and taking regular exercise. Consider the need for anti-platelets or a statin.

20
Q

If a caucasian patient is 40 with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes what would be the medical therapy of choice as the first line for his newly diagnosed hypertension

A

ACE inhibitor e.g. rampiril

Angiotensin receptor blockers are used in place of an ACE inhibitor if the person does not tolerate ACE inhibitors (commonly due to a dry cough)

21
Q

What is the most common adverse effect from ACE inhibitor?

A

Dry cough

22
Q

For patients under the age of 55 with no underlying type 2 diabetes what is the first line therapy for hypertension

A

ACE inhibitor e.g. rampiril

or

Angiotensin receptor blocker e.g. candesartan if ACE inhibitor is not tolerated

23
Q

For patients under the age of 55 with no underlying type 2 diabetes what is the second line therapy for hypertension

A

ACE inhibitor (or Angiotension blocker receptor)

AND

Calcium channel blocker OR Thiazide-like diuretic

24
Q

Amlodipine is an example of what kind of drug

A

Calcium channel blocker

25
Q

Indapamide is an example of what kind of drug

A

Thiazide-like diuretic

26
Q

What is the third line therapy for the management of hypertension

A

ACE inhibitor (or Angiotension blocker receptor)

AND

Calcium channel blocker
AND

Thiazide-like diuretic

27
Q

What is the first line therapy for hypertension any age patient (not from Black or Caribbean origins) that has a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

A

ACE inhibitor e.g. rampiril

Angiotensin receptor blockers are used in place of an ACE inhibitor if the person does not tolerate ACE inhibitors (commonly due to a dry cough)

28
Q

Fill in the blanks

A
29
Q

Name the three strategies to managing hypertension

A
  1. Lifestyle modification
  2. Medication with antihypertensive drugs
  3. Device based therapies (emerging)
30
Q

What is the recommended management for stage 1 hypertension

A

Lifestyle interventions alone for the initial 3-6 months after which drug treatment can be started if not controlled.

31
Q

When should medications be started immediately in stage 1 hypertension?

A

Medications should be started immediately if they are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, renal disease or organ damage

32
Q

What is the recommended management for stage 2 and 3 hypertension

A

Lifestyle interventions + Medications

Aim for control within 3 months

33
Q

Name some of the lifestyle interventions for hypertension?

A
  • Education
  • Sodium reduction (<1.5 g/day)
  • Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which includes 8-10 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, whole grains, low sodium and low-fat proteins
  • Weight loss to a BMI of about 25 kg/m² is recommended with further target of waist circumference <102 cm for men and <88 cm for women
  • Increased physical activity at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity dynamic aerobic exercise 5 days per week is recommended
  • Limited alcohol consumption (not exceeding 14 units per week)
  • Smoking cessation – improves general and in particular vascular health