Hypertension SEM 2 Flashcards
What is blood pressure?
The force of blood pushing against the blood vessels of the body.
What is blood pressure measured in?
millimeters mercury
Define hypertension.
A medical condition in which constricted arterial blood vessels increase the resistance to blood flow, causing an increase in blood pressure against the vessel walls.
Solution to a disorder of lifestyle.
Lifestyle modifications.
What consequences are African patients with hypertension more likely to suffer from?
Cerebral haemorrhage, renal disease, left ventricular hypertrophy.
From what cardiovascular disease do African patients with hypertension suffer less from or are less likely to suffer from?
Coronary artery disease (CAD).
In which group of patients with hypertension is CAD more common?
White and Indian.
True or false: Studies show that the duration of urbanization is an independent risk factor in the development of hypertension.
True.
What is the reading of high normal hypertension?
> 130-139/85-89 mmHg
Readings of Grade 1 hypertension?
140-159/90-99 mmHg
Readings of Grade 2 hypertension?
160-179/100-109 mmHg
Readings of Grade 3 hypertension?
> 180/110 mmHg
Define hypertensive urgency.
Symptomatic hypertension that is not life threatening.
Define hypertensive emergency.
Life threatening hypertension.
According to which characteristic is hypertension classified?
The extent of organ damage.
Characteristics of Hypertensive Urgency.
Severe hypertension; No signs of organ damage; Asymptomatic;
Characteristics of a Hypertensive Emergency.
Clinical condition of severe hypertension with symptoms of acute or progressive organ failure.
Hypertensive Emergency-What dysfunctions can encephalopathy cause?
Confusion, vision disturbances, decreased level of consciousness.
Hypertensive Emergency- What are the consequences of hypertension on the heart and heart system?
Pulmonary oedema: shortness of breath, swelling of legs, paroxysmal nocturcal dyspnoea.
Hypertensive Emergency: What are the consequences of hypertension on the kidneys?
Acute renal failure- Anuria, acidotic, fluid overload.
How does a hypertensive emergency arise?
Mechanisms are poorly understood. Failure of normal autoregulation and an abrupt rise in systemic vascular resistance. Endothelial injury with fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles. Deposition of platelets and fibrin. Breakdown of the normal autoregulatory function. Results in ischemia. Prompts further release of vasoactive substances.
What is the management for a hypertensive emergency?
Admission to ICU/HCU. Aim to lower mean arterial pressure by no more than 25% within the first 24 hours.
Describe malignant hypertension.
Severely elevated blood pressure, referred to a hypertensive urgency. Equal or greater than 180/110. Evidence of direct damage to one or more organs as a result of severely elevated blood pressure greater than 180/120. Mostly CNS, CVS and renal systems.
What are the causes of malignant hypertension?
Missing doses of medications. Kidney disease. Spinal cord injuries. Tumours of the adrenal glands. Use of certain drugs, e.g. contraception and recreational drugs.
Describe gestational hypertension.
The development of new hypertension in a pregnant women after 20 weeks gestation without the presence of protein in the urine or any other signs of preeclampsia.
Does gestational hypertension go away after pregnancy?
Yes.
What defines gestational hypertension?
BP of >140/90 mmHg
What are the risk factors for gestational hypertension?
First time pregnancy Family history Having twins. Younger than 20 and older than 40 Prior kidney disease.
What is the recommended treatment for gestational hypertension?
Rest/lifestyle changes/modifications
May need to deliver the baby.
What is the cause of primary hypertension?
Cause is unknown.
What are some of the causes of secondary hypertension?
Coarctation of aorta.
Renal disease.
Endocrine disorders.
Sleep apnoea, oral contraceptives, cerebral haemorrhage.
What are some of the conditions related to renal disease and secondary hypertension?
Diabetes, interstital tubular disease, glomerular disease, polycustic kidney disease, analgesic nephropathy, renal artery stenosis.
What are some of the triggers for hypertension?
Gestational hypertension, drugs, foetal (low birth weight), endocrine disease, renal disease, vascular disease.
Explain the genetic susceptibility for hypertension.
Increased sodium transport in kidney with impaired excretion.
Which other factors may lead to hypertension?
Smoking, obesity, dietary sodium intake, alcohol, stress, aging, excess calories, diabetes and insulin resistance.
What are some of the risk factors associated with hypertension?
Increasing age, gender, family history, ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, sedentary lifestyle.
Signs and symptoms of hypertension?
Mostly asymptomatic, fatigue, reduced activity tolerance, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, angina, difficulty breathing.
