Hypertension Flashcards
How is someone’s BP measured ?
Systolic Pressure/ Diastolic pressure
What does systolic pressure refer to?
Peak pressure due to ventricular contraction
What does diastolic pressure refer to?
Pressure during ventricular relaxation
Ideally, what do we want BP to be below?
120/80mmHg
What is BP measured in?
mmHg
According to the NHS, what is the normal range of BP?
90/60mmHg - 140/90mmHg
When is hypertension diagnosed ?
systolic BP >140mmHg OR the diastolic BP is >90mmHg on TWO successive occasions
When can malignant HTN be classified?
Systolic > 200mmHg OR diastolic >140mmHg
What px is systolic pressure more commonly elevated?
Older px
What px is diastolic pressure more commonly elevated?
Younger px (<50yrs)
What is HTN a RF for ? (There are 7)
- Stroke
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Cognitive death
- Premature death
What happens if BP is left untreated?
BP will continue to rise and become resistant to treatment
What are two categories HTN can be classified into?
Primary or secondary (due to another disease
*primary account for 90% of cases
What are four non-modifiable RF for HTN?
- age
- race (higher in Afro-Caribbean)
- fh
- pregnancy
What are some modifiable RF for primary HTN?
- regular exercise
- healthy diet
- relaxation
- alcohol reduction
- reduce sodium intake
- increase potassium intake
Why is it important we are aware about HTN?
Retina is the only place where we can examine arterioles non-invasively- they look v similar to cerebral and coronary ones so can show they are at risk of a heart attack or stroke
Will elevated BP affect inner and outer retinal circulation similarly?
No- effects them differently
What kind of junctions are in the inner retinal vasculature?
Tight junctions- they form the blood retinal barrier
What is autoregulation?
When the diameter of blood vessels change in repose to change in BP (high BP = vasoconstriction)
Do inner retinal vasculature show auto regulation?
Yes
Do choroidal arterioles exhibit auto regulation ?
No
Why does hypertensive retinopathy happen?
- Constant high BP
- constant constriction of retinal arterioles
- narrowed BVs to regulate blood flow
- leads to diffuse and focal arteriolar narrowing
- increased tortuosity
What does long term hypertension cause?
Arteriolosclerosis
What is aterteriolosclerosi?
Thickening + stiffening of arteriolar wall
How many stages are there of HR?
4
What is stage 1?
Mild to moderate narrowing or sclerosis of the arterioles
What is stage 2?
- Mod to marked narrowing of arterioles (can be generalised or local)
- Exaggeration of light reflex
- Arteriovenous crossing changes
What is stage 3?
- arterioles Narrowing + focal constriction
- Retinal oedema
- CWS
- Retinal haemorrhages
- Hard exudates
What is stage 4?
All of stage 3 + OD swelling
Which two stages are chronic ?
1 & 2, they will be asymptomatic
Which stages would a px be symptomatic + acute (short term high spike in BP)?
3 & 4
What is the name of the classification system to grade HR?
Keith-Wagener Barker Classification of hypertensive retinopathy
What will the BV look like in stage 1 and stage 2?
Straighter and narrower
In an older px with hypertensive retinopathy, why may you not see much of a difference in the a/v ratio?
Due to arteriosclerosis (thickening of cell walls stops them constricting)
What can arteriosclerosis lead to ?
Change in light reflex from the vessels