Hypertension Flashcards
What is hypertension?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CKihqqIokI&vl=en-US
The blood pressure above which the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks in terms of morbidity and mortality.
What are risk factors for the development of hypertension?
- Cigarette smoking (adds 20/10 mmHg)
- Diabetes Mellitus (5-30x increased risk of MI)
- Renal Disease
- Male
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Previous MI or Stroke
- LVH
- Family history
- Low birth weight
What are the different types of hypertension?
- Primary/Essential hypertension
- Secondary hypertension
- Malignant hypertension
- White coat hypertension
What is primary hypertension?
This is hypertension of unknown cause. It accounts for the vast majority (> 95%) of cases. In these cases, hypertension is due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.
What is secondary hypertension?
Present when blood pressure is raised due to an identifiable and potentially treatable cause; examples include renal, renovascular and endocrine disorders, certain drugs (such as steroids or the oral contraceptive pill), coarctation of the aorta and pregnancy.
What is malignant hypertension?
An acute rise in blood pressure (usually to > 180/110mmHg) with papilloedema (optic disc swelling) and/or retinal haemorrhage. Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency and may be associated with heart failure, cerebral oedema and renal failure.
What is white coat hypertension?
Present when blood pressure is normal other than when checked during a medical consultation; 24-hour blood pressure monitoring may help decide whether the patient is truly hypertensive.
What is benign hypertension?
Any stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension
What are the criteria for stage 1 hypertension?
Clinic blood pressure = 140/90 mmHg or higher
+
ABPM or HBPM average BP = 135/85 mmHg or higher.
What are the criteria for the diagnosis of stage 2 hypertension?
Clinic blood pressure = 160/100 mmHg or higher
+
ABPM or HBPM average BP = 150/95 mmHg or higher
What are the criteria for the diagnosis of severe/Stage 3 hypertension?
Clinic systolic blood pressure = 180 mmHg or higher
Clinic diastolic blood pressure = 110 mmHg or higher
What factors play a role in the development of primary hypertension?
- Genetic
- Age
- Foetal factors
- Obesity
- Alcohol intake
- Sodium intake
- Stress
- Humoral mechanisms
- Insulin resistance
- Race
Why does age play a role in the development of hypertension?
Reduced arterial compliance
What foetal factors play a role in the development of hypertension?
Low birth weight
How does sodium intake influence blood pressure?
Sodium acts osmotically to pull more fluid into the vascular space
What are cardivascular causes of secondary hypertension?
Coarctation of the Aorta
What condition in pregnancy can cause secondary hypertension?
Pre-eclampsia
What are endocrine causes of secondary hypertension?
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Acromegaly
- Thyroid disease
- Hyperparathyroid disease
- Conn’s syndrome
- Phaeochromocytoma
- Adrenal hyperplasia
What are adrenal causes of hypertension?
- Conn’s syndrome
- Adrenal hyperplasia
- Phaeochromocytoma
What are renal causes of secondary hypertension?
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Chronic GN
- Adult Polycystic disease
- Chronic tubulointersitial nephritis
- Renovascular disease
What drugs can cause secondary hypertension?
- NSAIDs
- MAOIs
- Oral contraceptives
- Vasopressin
- Sympathomimetics
What respiratory problems can cause secondary hypertension?
Sleep apnoea
What are the features of hypertensive retinopathy?
- AV nipping
- Copper and Silver wiring
- Cotton wool spots
- Microaneurysms
- Retinal haemorrhages
What is the following?

AV nipping - An enlarged retinal arteriole that crosses a vein can press down and cause swelling distal to the crossing. The vein will have an hourglass appearance on either side of the intersection.



















