Hypertension Flashcards
What are the numerical categories for hypertension?
Grade 1 - 140-159/90-99
Grade 2 - 160-179/100-109
Grade 3 - ≥180/≥110
What are the causes of essential hypertension?
Genetic, Low birth weight, obesity, sodium intake, stress, Smoking, T2DM
What is secondary hypertension?
Hypertension as the result of a potentially treatable cause.
What are the causes of secondary hypertension? (5 categories)
Renal - Diabetic nephropathy, renovascular disease, polycystic disease,
Endocrine - Conn’s Syndrome, Adrenal hyperplasia, pheochromocytoma, cushings, acromegaly,
congenital heart defects - Coarctation of the aorta
Drugs - NSAIDs, steroids, liquorice
Preganacy
What are the major complications of chronic hypertension?
Acute coronary incident, cerebrovascular incident and renal failure
What is malignant hypertension?
When there is a rapid severe rise in BP with resting diastolic of ≥ 120
What is the characteristic histological change in malignant Hypertension?
Fibrinoid necrosis of the vessel wall.
What can result if malignant hypertension is not resolved?
stroke, aortic dissection, renal failure or heart failure
How are Abnormalities of the retina, found in hypertensive patients, classified?
The Keith-Wagener classification:
Grade 1 - Tortuous retinal arteries
Grade 2 - grade 1 plus nipping of arteries when the pass over veins
Grade 3 - Grade 2 plus flame haemorrhages and soft exudates
What investigations would be carried out for a hypertensive patient? (4)
ECG, Urine dipstick (proteinuria and haematuria), fasting blood for lipids and glucose, U+Es
What non-pharmacological measures are recommended for hypertension? (6)
weight reduction (<14 men/women
exercise (moderate 30 mins/day)
Low Sodium
When show pharmacological intervention be considered in hypertension? Diabetics vs non diabetics
Non diabetics - Systolic >160 Diastolic >100
Diabetics - Systolic >140 diastolic >90
What are the four classes of drugs used to treat hypertension?
Statins, Beta-blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, Diuretics and ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists.
What type of diuretic is commonly used first line for hypertension?
Thiazide Diuretics like Bendroflumethiazide
What is Conn’s Syndrome?
An abnormal production of aldosterone from the adrenal glands
