Hypertension

Question 1

What is blood pressure?

Answer 1

The force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. It is measured in Millimeters of mercury mmHg

Question 2

What is the systolic blood pressure?

Answer 2

Pressure when blood is ejected into arteries

Question 3

What is the diastolic pressure?

Answer 3

Pressure between heartbeats

Question 4

Risk factors

Answer 4

Age, gender, genetics, ethnicity, obesity, salt intake, potassium intake, saturated fats, alcohol, smoking, stress

Question 5

Causes

Answer 5

Atheroma (fat) narrowing the artery

Question 6

Medicine treatment

Answer 6

Vasodilators

Question 7

What do vasodilators do?

Answer 7

Medications that open blood vessels. They affect the muscles in the walls of your arteries and arterioles, preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing. Such as ramipril

Question 8

Example of vasodialtors?

Answer 8

Angiotensin - converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Question 9

What do Beta Blockers do?

Answer 9

Beta blockers block the release of the stress hormone adrenaline and noradrenaline in certain parts of the body. This slows the heart rate and reduces the force at which blood is pumped. E.g. Atenolol.

Question 10

What do diuretics do?

Answer 10

They lower your blood pressure by flushing salt out of your body, taking the unwanted extra fluid with it. Diuretics also cause the walls of your blood vessels to relax and widen, which makes it easier for your blood to flow through.