Hypertension Flashcards
Name conditions in which Hypertension is a major risk factor for
myocardial infarction (MI)
stroke
chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Definition of hypertension
Hypertension refers to a persistent elevation of arterial blood pressure, in adults it is BP >140/90 mmHg
Hypertension is classified based on the degree of hypertension. How many stages are there?
3 stages
Define stage 1 hypertension
BP ≥ 140/90
OR
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) ≥ 135/85
What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
It is a 24 hour reading of the blood pressure
Gives a more accurate reading of their BP
Define stage 2 hypertension
BP ≥ 160/100
OR
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) ≥ 135/85
Define stage 3 hypertension
BP ≥ 180/120
OR
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) ≥ 135/85
At what stage should we start treating hypertension
Everyone stage 2 and 3
Stage 1
Define primary hypertension
Also known as essential
Primary hypertension is when there is no identifiable underlying cause for the hypertension
The majority of hypertension cases are?
a) primary
b) secondary
A) primary - accounts 95% of hypertension cases
Define secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension is when there is an identifiable cause for the hypertension
accounts for 5% of cases however thought to account for more
Name some of the secondary causes for hypertension
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
Define Pheochromocytoma
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
What are the typical features of hypertension
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
Define Conn’s syndrome
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