Therapeutics of Hypertension Flashcards
Define essential hypertension.
Elevated blood pressure with an unknown etiology.
Define secondary hypertension.
Elevated arterial blood pressure due to concurrent medical conditions or medications (definable cause).
Define isolated systolic hypertension.
Systolic blood pressure values are elevated and diastolic blood pressure values are not.
Define resistant hypertension.
Failure to attain goal blood pressure while adherent to a regimen that includes at least 3 agents at maximum dose (including a diuretic) or when 4 or more agents are needed.
Define orthostatic hypotension.
A systolic blood pressure decrease of ≥20 mmHg, a diastolic blood pressure decrease of ≥10 mmHg within 3 minutes of positional change, and/or increase in heart rate >20 BPM
What 5 factors contribute to essential hypertension pathophysiology?
- Humoral abnormalities
- Neuronal mechanisms
- Vascular endothelial mechanisms
- Peripheral autoregulation defects
- Electrolyte disturbances
How do you calculate blood pressure?
CO x TPR
How do you calculate cardiac output?
CO = SV x HR
List some examples of modifiable hypertension risk factors.
- High sodium intake
- Obesity
- Low potassium intake
- Excess alcohol intake
List some examples of non-modifiable hypertension risk factors.
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Genetic predisposition
Who is more at risk for developing hypertension in the <55 age group: males or females?
Males
Who is more at risk for developing hypertension in the 55-64 age group: males or females?
Females (slightly)
Who is more at risk for developing hypertension in the >64 age group: males or females?
Females
List some possible causes of secondary hypertension.
- Chronic kidney disease
- Renovascular disease
- Primary aldosteronism
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Drug-induced
- Food/substances (sodium, ethanol)
- Pheochromocytoma
- Cushing’s syndrome/chronic steroid use
- Thyroid or parathyroid disease
- Aortic coarctation
List some examples of substances that can increase blood pressure.
- Illicit drugs (cocaine, ecstasy)
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine)
- Amphetamines (methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, amphetamine)
- Antidepressants (MAO-Is, SNRIs, TCAs)
- Atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine)
- Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine)
- Oral contraceptives (estrogens, androgens, progesterone)
- NSAIDs
- Systemic steroids (methylprednisolone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone)
- Oncology agents (angiogenesis inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors)
How do you conduct an in-office blood pressure reading?
Take two readings 5 minutes apart and sitting in a chair; confirm elevated readings in an opposite arm
When would ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) be indicated?
For the evaluation of white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension, and nighttime blood pressure dipping.
When is home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) indicated?
For the evaluation of white-coat and masked hypertension, response to therapy, and to (possibly) improve adherence.
What is the range for normal blood pressure?
<120/80
What is the range for elevated blood pressure?
120-129 and <80
What is the range for Stage 1 hypertension?
130-139 OR 80-89
What is the range for Stage 2 hypertension?
≥140 OR ≥90
According to the ACC/AHA, what blood pressure management strategy should be initiated in patients with elevated (120-129/<80) blood pressure?
Non-pharmacologic treatment, then reassess in 3-6 months
According to the ACC/AHA, what blood pressure strategies should be initiated in patients with Stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89) and an ASCVD risk of ≥10% or a specific comorbidity?
Initiate non-pharmacologic treatment AND medication, reassess in 1 month
According to the ACC/AHA, what blood pressure strategies should be initiated in patients with Stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89) and without an ASCVD risk of ≥10% or a specific comorbidity?
Initiate non-pharmacologic treatment, reassess in 3-6 months
According to the ACC/AHA, what blood pressure management strategies should be utilized in patients with Stage 2 hypertenion (≥140/90)?
Initiate non-pharmacologic treatment AND 2 medications, reassess in 1 month
How often should follow-ups take place for hypertension patients at goal?
Every 3-6 months
What is the ACC/AHA blood pressure threshold for treatment initiation in patients with clinical CVD or a 10-year ASCVD ≥10%?
≥130/80
What is the ACC/AHA blood pressure threshold for treatment initiation in patients with no clinical CVD and a 10-year ASCVD <10%?
≥140/90
What is the ACC/AHA blood pressure threshold for treatment initiation in non-institutionalized, ambulatory, community-living adults 65 and older?
Which specific comorbidity has a blood pressure threshold for treatment initiation of ≥140/90?
Secondary stroke prevention
What is the most commonly-used blood pressure goal according to the ACC/AHA?
<130/80
What is the ADA-accepted blood pressure goal for patients without CVD and an ASCVD <15%?
<140/90
What is the ADA-accepted blood pressure goal for patients with CVD or an ASCVD ≥15%?
<130/80
What is the KDIGO-accepted blood pressure goal for patients without albuminuria?
<140/90
What is the KDIGO-accepted blood pressure goal for patients with albuminuria (>30 mg/24 hours)?
<130/80
Explain the SPRINT trial.
Involved partipants without diabetes/prior stroke, and demonstrated that 2.8 medications are needed on average to approach blood pressure goals (<120 mmHg) in an intensive group.
Explain the ACCORD trial.
In participants with T2DM age 40-79 with CVD or multiple risk factors, there was no benefit in primary composite outcome despite meeting blood pressure goals.
List some non-pharmacologic treatment options for hypertension/elevated blood pressure.
- Weight loss
- DASH diet
- Decreased sodium intake (<1500 mg/day or 1000 mg reduction per day)
- Enhanced potassium intake (3500-5000 mg/day)
- Physical activity
- Moderation in alcohol intake
What foods should be limited in the DASH diet?
- High saturated fat foods (fatty meats, full-fat dairy, tropical oils)
- Sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets
What are the four classes of first-line agents for antihypertensive therapy?
- Thiazide diuretics
- Calcium channel blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
Explain the ALLHAT trial.
Patients >55 with HTN and 1 additional CV risk factor were randomized to 4 different drugs
- Thiazides are first-line
- Chlorthalidone was better than amlodipine and lisinopril-based therapy in preventing stroke, heart attacks, and heart failure
- Patients who cannot take a diuretic should be prescribed a calcium channel blocker or ACE inhibitor
- Most patients with high blood pressure need more than 1 drug
What are the three first-line treatments that can be used in patients with stable ischemic heart disease?
- Beta blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
If first-line treatments have already been initiated for hypertension with stable ischemic heart disease and blood pressure goals still aren’t being met, what medication class can be considered?
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
What medication class should be avoided in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
What drug class should be first-line in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction and fluid overload?
Diuretics
What two drug classes should be first-line for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction with elevated blood pressure?
ACE inhibitors and ARBs
What drug class is first-line for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and elevated heart rate?
Beta blockers
What medication classes are first-line for hypertension patients with CKD stage 1/2 AND albuminuria?
ACE inhibitors or ARBs
What medication classes are first-line for patients with hypertension and CKD Stage 3 or higher?
ACE inhibitors or ARBs
What medication class is first-line in hypertension patients who are post-kidney transplant?
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
What three medication classes are first-line in hypertension patients requiring secondary stroke prevention (cerebrovascular disease)?
- Thiazide diuretics
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
What medication classes are first-line in hypertension patients with diabetes?
All first-line classes are useful and effective
What medication classes are first-line in hypertension patients with diabetets in the presence of albuminuria?
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
What three agents are preferred in pregnant hypertensive patients?
- Methyldopa
- Nifedipine
- Labetalol