Hypertension Flashcards
What is hypertension?
persistent
- systolic 130mgHg or more
- diastolic 80mmHg or more
What is a hypertensive crises?
- systolic > 180
- diastolic > 120
What are the risk factors for primary hypertension?
- positive family history
- smoking
- advanced age
- inactivity
- uncontrolled diabetes
- race & ethnicity
What are the causes of secondary hypertension?
- renal artery stenosis (most common
- endocrine: hyperaldosteronism, Cushing syndrome, pheochromocytoma, acromegaly
- oral contraceptives, decongestants, chronic steroids, TCA, NSAIDS
- coarctation of the aorta
- cocaine
- obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
What are the clinical features of hypertension?
ASYMPTOMATIC
until -> complications of end-organ damage OR hypertensive crises
- secondary hypertension features -> of underlying disease
- non-specific symptoms -> headache, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, epistaxis, chest discomfort, palpitations, bounding pulse on palpation, nervous, fatigue, sleep disturbances
What are the findings of renal artery stenosis & how do we confirm its presence?
- abdominal bruit
- hypokalemia
- asymmetric kidney size
- duplex ultrasonography & MRA
What are the findings of primary aldosteronism (Conn syndrome)?
- arrhythmia
- hypokalemia
- metabolic alkalosis
- increase aldosterone to renin ratio
- oral sodium loading test
What are the findings in pheochromocytoma?
- acute episodic rise in blood pressure
- flushing, diaphoresis
- headache
- increased 24-h urinary metanephrines
What are the findings in Cushing’s syndrome?
- central obesity
- moon face
- increase cortisol
- hirsutism
- overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test
What are the findings in aortic coarctation?
- blood pressure in upper extremities higher than lower extremities
- absent femoral pulses
- ECHO
How should screening for hypertension occur?
Annual screening
- > 40 years
- any age with risk factors for primary HTN
Screening every 3 - 5 years -> everyone else
How should in-office BP measurement be taken?
- if elevated -> repeat on other arm
- at least 2 readings on 2 separate visits
How are out-of-office BP measurements taken?
- ambulatory blood pressure measurement
- home blood pressure monitoring
How do we evaluate end-organ damage?
- renal function tests -> creatinine & eGFR
- urinalysis & albumin to creatinine ration
- ECG -> signs of hypertrophy
What are the indicators of secondary hypertension?
new-onset or uncontrolled hypertension in adults -> screen for secondary hypertension
How should elevated blood pressure be managed?
120-129/<80mmHg
- non pharmacological therapy
How is stage 1 hypertension managed?
130-139/80-90mmHg -> estimated 10-y CVD risk
- if more than 10% -> non pharmacological therapy & BP lowering medications
- if less than 10% -> non pharmacological
How is stage 2 hypertension managed?
> 140/90mmHg
non pharmacological therapy + BP lower medication
How long should non pharmacological therapy be used?
3 - 6 months -> if not getting better -> pharma
What are the first-line agents used for control of hypertension?
- thiazide diuretics
- CCBs
- ACEI
- ARBs