Hypertension Flashcards
what defines hypertension?
average of two or more readings of either:
- systolic BP > 130 mmHg
- diastolic BP > 80 mmHg
- what is this device and its purpose?
- how should it be positioned for proper use?
- sphygmomanometer
- used to measure BP.
- cuff should be placed around arm such that the white strip at the end of the non-velcrow side is aligned within the white arrow range on the velcrow side
describe the proper technique for determing blood pressure?
- patient should be seated for at least 5 minutes
- ideally, patient has not been smoking/had caffeine recently
- patient should be in a quite comfortable room
- take multiple measurements (esp. if a reading looks look it could be off)
- also take measurements in each arm. certain conditions can cause big disparities in BP between arm
- proper cuff use:
- place cuff correctly (middle of upper arm)
- ensure cuff size is correct
- delate cuff slowly after BP is obtained (2 mmHg/second)
what blood pressures are considered normal, elevated, and define stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension?
what is isolated systolic hypertension?
normal diastolic blood pressure with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP > 130)
what is isolated diastolic hypertension?
elevated diastolic blood pressure (>80) with a normal systolic blood pressure
what is white coat hypertension?
elevated BP due to stress of doctors to stress of doctors office?
what is “masked” hypertension?
a normal BP reading at the doctor’s office, but is elevated during the rest of daily life
how to obtain and interpret an accurate blood pressure reading if you suspect white coat/masked hypertension
obtain of the following:
1. ambulatory blood pressure
- monitors patient’s BP throughout the day
- HTN considered to be
- an daytime (awake) BP average of > 130/80 mmHg
- a 24 hr average of > 125/75 mmHg
2. home blood presure
- patient keeps daily log of BPs
- HTN considered by be
- an average reading of > 130/80 mmHg
primary vs secondary hypertension
- Primary hypertension
- aka essential / idiopathic hypertension:
- Hypertension for which no specific identifiable cause can be found
- Secondary Hypertension:
- Hypertension caused by another underlying medical problem.
what is hypertensive urgency?
how should we approach treatment
- severe hypertension without symptoms
- avoid rapid reduction in BP when treating. since patient has acclimated to this high blood pressure, rapid reduction could patient to have a hypotensive crisis/pass out
what is a hypertensive emergency?
how to approach treatment?
- uncontrolled hypertension that is causing acute end-organ dysfunction
- __is syptomatic
- watch out for confusion, headaches, vision problems
- __is syptomatic
- it appropriate to treat this patient more rapidly than a pt with hypertensive urgency, since they are at high risk of sepsis/death
what is malignant hypertension?
Severe hypertension with retinal changes or papilledema
describe the relationship between changes in BP and risk of associated disease
- As BP goes up, risk of hypertension associated disease goes up in a graded fashion from as low as 115/75.
- for example: every 20mmHg increase in SBP / 10mmHg in DBP doubles risk of heart disease.
prevalence/relevant statistics pertaining the hypertension
- Most common reason for outpatient doctor appointment
- Most common reason for prescription medication use in the United States
- Worldwide leading cause of death
- Prevalence is increasing here in the US as population ages, and as obesity epidemic grows.
- More than half of patients > 65 years old are hypertensive
HTN significantly increases the risk of scope of what disease?
Stroke
Peripheral arterial disease
Kidney disease
Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Atrial fibrillation
Aortic dissection
what factors predispose hypertension?
- Genetic predisposition
- Excess weight
- Lack of exercise
- Increased Sodium intake
- Increased alcohol consumption
- Psychological stress
- Decreased intake of potassium and calcium
review the effects of a1, a2, B1 and B2 stimulation
α1- contracts vascular smooth muscle –> vasoconstriction.
α2- negative feedback, inhibits more norepinephrine release (decreases vasoconstriction)
β1- 1. Increases cardiac chronotropy and inotropy and 2. increases renin release.
β2- EPI causes vascular smooth muscle relaxation –> vasodilation.
what is autonomic upregulation/downregulation?
what populations does it effect the most?
-
chronically hypertensive patients tend to have increased sypathetic tone, which leads to a down-regulation (decreased number of) of adrenergic receptors
- this especially effects hypertensive patients who are overweight or have obstructive sleep apnea
- conversely, patients with with a chronic blockage of adrenergic receptors (taking alpha or beta blockers) experience sympathetic upregulation (_increased in numbe_r of adrenergic receptors)
- thus, when these patients discontinue, for example, their beta - blockers, they have severe rebound hypertension
what leads to “rebound hypertension”
blockade cessation (rapid discontinuation of alpha or beta blockers)
what is the effect of increased serum sodium on peripheral vascular resistance?
- Increased sodium=increased water, so intravascular volume expands.
- Increased intravascular volume initially leads to hypertension by increasing cardiac output.
- Subsequently, peripheral vascular resistance goes up (in kidney and brain) to maintain constant rate of blood flow.
- __P=QR
- flow = Q = P/R
- __P=QR
renin
- is secreted from what part of the body?
- in response to what stimuli?
- Secreted by the renal afferent arteriole in response to
- Decreased NaCl transport in distal tubule of loop of Henle
- Decreased stretch / pressure
- Increased sympathetics
what are the adverse effects of Ang II and aldosterone?
- cause vascular remodeling & growth –> athersclerosis
- athersclerosis will decrease vessel:
- diameter –> increasing vessel resistance
-
compliance: compliance = V/P, and a decreased compliance means a greater increase P per incease in V. so the vessel is less able to accomdate volume changes
- together these defects increase afterload against the heart, increasing systolic pressure and widening pulse pressure
- athersclerosis will decrease vessel:
- cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis
- nephrosclerosis
risk factors for hypertension?
- Increasing age
- Overweight
- Excess EtOH
- Excess Na
- Dyslipidemia
- Vitamin D deficiency
- African American race
- Physical inactivity
- Depression
- Impatient personality type
- Parents with hypertension
symptoms seen with hypertension?
- HTN is usually asymptomatic
- but if there are symptoms:
- headache
- impotence
- fatigue
- palpatations
- dizziness