Hypertension (HTN)

Question 1

What is hypertension?

Answer 1

Hypertension is high blood pressure defined by a BP >140/90 mmHg.

Question 2

What are the causes of hypertension?

Answer 2

Hypertension is caused by:

• Unknown: ‘essential hypertension’.
• Secondary causes
  
  • renal and endocrine disease
• Contributory lifestyle factors
  
  • increased stress, smoking and obesity

Question 3

What are the complications of hypertension?

Answer 3

The complications of hypertension include:

• MI
• Heart failure
• Renal impairment
• Stroke
• Hypertensive retinopathy

Question 4

What investigations do you do for hypertension?

Answer 4

Investigation for hypertension includes:

• Clinic blood pressure readings (+ ambulatory BP monitoring)
• Bloods: FBC, LFTs, U&Es, creatinine, serum urea, cGFR, lipid levels and glucose
• ECG (looking for LVH)
• Urine dip (haematuria and proteinuria)

Question 5

What are the stages of hypertension?

Answer 5

The stages of hypertension are:

Question 6

What is the treatment for hypertension?

Answer 6

The treatment for hypertension includes:

Conservative

• lifestyle advice
• smoking cessation
• weight loss
• decreased alcohol
• salt restricted diet

Medical

• see image (NICE pathway)