Hypertension Flashcards

1
Q

What is hypertension?

A

Raised blood pressure

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2
Q

What would be an expected reading of someone with hypertension?

A

Equal to or above 140/90

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3
Q

How should blood pressure be measured?

A

Three separate measurements should be taken in succession, separated by at least 1 minute. This should be carried out whilst sitting and rested. The average of the three measurements should be used as the reading.

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4
Q

What is ambulatory measuring?

A

Measuring blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24 hour period while patients undergo normal daily activities, including sleep.

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5
Q

Which ethnic groups are at higher risk of developing hypertension?

A

African, Caribbean and south Asian ethnicities

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6
Q

Why might African, Caribbean and south Asian ethnicities be at higher risk to hypertension?

A

Along with genetic factors, environmental factors such as the foods traditionally eaten - which tend to be higher in salt and saturated fat- put these groups at higher risk of hypertension

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7
Q

The treatment of hypertension has what effect on patients risk of coronary heart disease?

A

It has little effect, coronary heart disease - which eventually causes patient to have a heart attack- is a slow, long process. So, treatment of hypertension will not reverse atherosclerotic pressure built up in blood vessels.

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8
Q

What is another name for coronary heart disease?

A

Atherosclerosis

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9
Q

The treatment of hypertension has what effect on the outcome of heart failure?

A

Significant improvement in risk of heart failure, as reduces workload of heart, making muscle more able to cope

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10
Q

What are the two common disease outcomes of hypertension?

A
  • accelerated atherosclerosis
  • renal failure
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11
Q

What can be the consequence of accelerated atherosclerosis?

A
  • myocardial infarction
  • stroke
  • peripheral vascular disease
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12
Q

What is “essential” hypertension?

A

When blood pressure is abnormally high, however not as a result of a medical condition. This is likely a genetic failure of auto-regulation control of blood vessel wall constriction.

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13
Q

What is renal artery stenosis?

A

The narrowing of one or more arteries that carry blood to your kidneys

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14
Q

What are the three hormones that endocrine tumours release which can be rare triggers for hypertension?

A
  1. Adrenaline
  2. Aldosterone
  3. Cortisol
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15
Q

What is the role of adrenaline, related to hypertension?

A

Acts as a vasoconstrictor

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16
Q

What is the role of aldosterone and cortisol, relating to hypertension?

A

They increase circulating blood volume

17
Q

What neuroendocrine, adrenergic tumour may release adrenaline, in turn causing high blood pressure?

A

Phaeochromocytoma

18
Q

What syndrome is characterised by excess aldosterone production?

A

Conn’s syndrome

19
Q

What syndrome is a result of excess cortisol in the body over a long period of time?

A

Cushing’s syndrome

20
Q

What symptom is more common in malignant hypertension- where blood pressure is rapidly accelerating?

A

Headache

21
Q

What is a transient ischaemic attack?

A

Also known as a “mini stroke”, it is a serious condition where the blood supply to the brain is temporarily disrupted

22
Q

Where is the adrenal gland situated?

A

Just above the renal gland, within the region of the kidney.

23
Q

True or false?
Phaeochromocytoma is a renal disease.

A

False, it is an adrenergic tumour. The adrenal gland sits above the renal gland. It is in the region of the kidney but it is nit a renal disease.

24
Q

Why is swelling a symptom of Cushing’s syndrome?

A

This syndrome results in salt/water retention, which leads to excess fluid within the circulation

25
Q

What is hypovolemia?

A

A condition where your body loses fluid, like blood or water

26
Q

What are the 4 investigations for hypertension?

A
  1. Urinalysis
  2. Serum biochemistry
  3. Serum lipids
  4. ECG
27
Q

What blood pressure is aimed for as a result of hypertension treatment?

A

BP < 120/90 mmHg

28
Q

What are the four most common drug types used to treat hypertension?

A
  1. Thiazide diuretic
  2. Beta blocker
  3. Calcium channel antagonist
  4. ACE inhibitor
29
Q

What is an example of a thiazide diuretic?

A

Dendroflumethiozide

30
Q

what is an example of a beta blocker?

A

Atenalol

31
Q

What is the side effect commonly associated with thiazide diuretic’s?

A

Gout (sudden swelling and severe pain in joints)

32
Q

What is the side effect commonly associated with beta blockers?

A

COPD & asthma

33
Q

What is the side effect commonly associated with calcium channel antagonist?

A

Gingival hyperplasia

34
Q

What is the side effect commonly associated with ACE inhibitors?

A

Peripheral vascular disease

35
Q

How often would you monitor someone with stable control of hypertension?

A

Annually

36
Q

How often would you monitor someone with unstable control of hypertension?

A

Every 2-3 months

37
Q

What group of drugs particularly risk a change in blood biochemistry, which could result in sodium and potassium changes eventually effecting cardiac conduction and the ECG?

A

Thiazide diuretics