Hypertension Flashcards
What does a high BP (particularly systolic/pulse pressure) put you at risk of?
cardiovascular disease
What other CVD risk factors are often associated with hypertension?
diabetes, smoking, abnormal lipids, obesity
What are the cardiovascular diseases that are more likely with hypertension?
ischaemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, aortic dissection, renal vascular disease, small vessel disease of kidney, brain, and retina, heart failure
What is the definition of hypertension?
140/90
What is primary/essential hypertension?
hypertension with no specific identifiable cause
What percentage of hypertension is primary?
90-95%
What is secondary hypertension?
hypertension with a specific underlying cause
What is benign hypertension?
hypertension that rises slowly
What is malignant hypertension?
hypertension that is quickly developing and can get very high - may occur in someone who already has benign hypertension
What 2 forces result in blood pressure?
cardiac output (stroke volume and heart rate) and resistance in arterioles
What are age related arterial changes potentiated by?
high blood pressure
What happens to the aorta with age?
loss of elasticity and hardening, fragmented elastin in media and increased collagen in media and intima - aorta often dilates - stiffening leads to loss of compliance which increases BP
What happens to small and medium arteries with age?
fragmentation of elastin in media and increased collagen in media and intima causing intimal thickening
What happens to arterioles with age?
hyaline arteriolosclerosis - thickened wall with narrowed lumen - may cause increased BP with age
What genes contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension?
sympathetic responses, transport of ions across cell membranes, arteriolar responses to local regulatory factors, activity components of RAAS