Pathology of hypertension Flashcards
Define “hypertension”
a disorder in which the level of sustained arterial pressure is higher than expected for the age, sex, and race of the individual
What causes hypertension?
CARDIAC FAILURE
What is hypertension a risk factor for?
cerebral haemorrhage
atheroma
renal failure
sudden cardiac death
What are the two ways to classify hypertension?
- according to cause
2. according to consequences
What are the two subsections of classifying hypertension according to cause?
primary (unknown cause)
secondary (known cause)
What are the two subsections of classifying hypertension according to consequences?
benign (often primary)
malignant (often secondary)
Which underlying diseases are implicated in Secondary Hypertension?
Renal disease Endocrine disease Aortic disease Renal artery stenosis Drug therapy
What is Malignant hypertension?
Diastolic Pressure >130/140
Needs urgent treatment to prevent death
Causes cerebral oedema - seen as papilloedema (swelling of optic disc)
Acute renal failure
Acute heart failure
Headache and cerebral haemorrhage
Blood vessels show fibrinoid necrosis and endarteritis proliferans of their walls
What is Eclampsia?
Type of Pregnacncy associated hypertension. Medical emergency, needs surgery asap
What are the Microvascular injuries caused by hypertension?
Retina and kidney - thickening of the media
Called Hyaline arteriosclerosis
What are hypertension effects on the heart?
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Increased Lv Load Poor Myocardial Perfusion Interstitial Fibrosis Micro-Infarcts Diastolic Dysfunction
What renal diseases can cause hypertension?
ANY - renal artery stenosis, acute or chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, cystic diseases, interstitial nephritis
What endocrine diseases can cause hypertension?
adrenal gland hyperfunction/tumours e.g Conn’s syndrome - excess Aldosterone Cushing’s syndrome - excess corticosteroid Phaeochromocytoma - excess noradrenaline
What miscellaneous causes of hypertension are there?
Corticosteroids
Coarctation of the aorta
