Hypertension

Question 1

Define essential hypertension

Answer 1

BP ≥140/90 mmHg, with no secondary cause identified

Question 2

Target BP for healthy and diabetics patients

Answer 2

<140/85 mmHg in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and <140/90 mmHg in all other patients

Question 3

Typical presentation of essential hypertension

Answer 3

Commonly asymptomatic
May have FHx of HTN
Hypertension >140 mmHg
Retinal vascular changes-longstanding HTN

Question 4

Risk factors for HTN

Answer 4

Obesity
Lack of exercise
Black ancestry
Diabetes
Moderate/high alcohol intake
>60
FHx of HTN or CAD
Sleep apnoea

Question 5

Investigations for hypertension

Answer 5

ECG
U+E's, LFTs, eGFR
Lipid panel
Urinalysis
Hb-anemia due to Chronic renal or polycythaemia for phaeochromocytoma
TSH

Question 6

Lifestyle modications to manage HTN

Answer 6

Na reduction (<1.5g/day)
Potassium rich diet(unless CKD)
Increased physical activity (30 mins of moderate aerobic exercise)
Reduce alcohol intake to below 14 units a week
Smoklng cessation