Week 2 Flashcards
What is considered hypertension?
around 140/90 mmHg
How is the severity of hypertension classified?
- Severity is classified into three stages:
o 1. Single reading >140/90 mmHg and average ambulatory readings >135/85 mmHg.
o 2. Single reading >160/100 mmHg and average ambulatory readings >150/95 mmHg.
o 3. Single reading with systolic >180mmHg or diastolic >110mmHg.
what is the aetiology of hypertension?
hypertension often occurs as a result of reduced elasticity of arteries, due to age-related and atherosclerosis-related calcification, and degradation of arterial elastin.
It may also be present in conditions associated with increased CO, such as anaemia, hyperthyroidism and aortic regurgitation.
Complications of untreated hypertension.
- Increased risk of morbidity and mortality from all causes.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Heart failure.
- Renal failure.
- Stroke.
- Peripheral vascular disease.
- Retinopathy.
discuss the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on second-to-second blood pressure control
- Sympathetic system activation produces:
o Vasoconstriction > increases peripheral vascular resistance.
o Reflex tachycardia > increases cardiac output.
o Increased stroke volume > increases cardiac output. - Stimulates renin release which produces angiotensin II and aldosterone:
o Angiotensin II is a vasoconstrictor.
o Aldosterone causes salt and water retention which increases the circulating blood volume.
What is the function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?
maintenance of sodium balance.
control of blood volume
control of blood pressure
what is RAAS stimulated by?
fall in BP
fall in circulating volume
sodium depletion
what is the sequence of events following RAAS stimulation?
- Renin is released from the juxtaglomerular apparatus.
- Renin converts angiotensin to angiotensin I.
- Angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).
- Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor that stimulates aldosterone release from the adrenal glands.
what is a common treatment regime for age>55 or african/caribbean origin?
start CCB e.g., almlodipine
add thiazide diuretic e.g., indapamide
add ACEi/ARB e.g., ramipril or losartan
add beta blocker or alpha blocker e.g., bisoprolol or doxazosin
add less commonly used agent
what is the common treatment regime for age < 55 ?
start ACEi e.g., ramipril
add thiazide diuretic e.g., indapamide
add CCB e.g., amlodipine
add beta blocker e.g., bisoprolol
add less commonly used agent
what do ACE inhibitors do?
competitively inhibit the action of ACE.
ACEi contraindications
renal artery stenosis
impaired renal function
hyperkalaemia
fertile female (teratogenic)
ACEi drug-drug interactions
NSAIDs and potassium supplements/potassium-sparing diuretics.
what do angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) do and whats their benefit?
competitively inhibit the action of angiotensin II at the angiotensin AT1 receptors.
These have fewer side effects than ACEi.
What are the benefits of vasodilator CCBs? give an example of two and one used in pregnant women.
vasodilator CCBs reduce PVR, amlodipine and felodipine can be used for age > 55, if a woman is of child-bearing age then use nifedipine.
CCBs adverse drug reaction
flushing
headache
ankle oedema
indigestion/reflux
rate limiting also cause bradycardia and constipation
contraindictations to CCBs
acute MI
Heart failure
bradycardia
what do thiazide-type diuretics do?
thiazide diuretics such as indapamide enhance urinary secretion of sodium, cause resistance vessel dilation, thereby reducing peripheral vascular resistance.
What are the benefits of thiazide diuretics?
proven benefit in reducing risk of stroke and MI.
can be used in combo with other anti-hypertensives.
commonly first-line therapy in mild-mod hypertension in people of african/caribbean origin.
discuss the treatment of hypertension during pregnancy.
centrally acting agents such as methyldopa are used to treat hypertension in pregnancy
define atheroma/atherosclerosis
atheroma/atherosclerosis is the formation of focal lesions (plaques) in the intima of large and medium sized arteries
describe the development of atheromatous plaques
o 1. Injury to the endothelial lining of an artery.
o 2. Chronic inflammatory and healing response of vascular wall to the agent causing injury.
o Chronic/episodic exposure of arterial wall to these processes > formation of atheromatous plaque.
what are the most important causes of endothelial injury?
hemodynamic disturbances (turbulent flow)
hypercholesterolemia
What are the components of atheromatous plaques?
- Lipid.
- Cholesterol.
- Cellular waste products.
- Calcium.
- Fibrin.
what are the signs of major hyperlipidaemia?
- Familial/primary vs acquired/secondary (idiopathic?).
- Biochemical evidence: LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides.
- Corneal arcus (premature).
- Tendon xanthomata (knuckles, Achilles).
- Xanthelasmata.
- Risk/premature/family history MI/atheroma.
what are risk factors in developing atheroma?
- Smoking.
- Hypertension.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Male.
- Elderly.
- Less strong risk factors: obesity, sedentary lifestyle, low socio-economic status, low birthweight.
describe the events of acute atherothrombotic occlusion
o Major complications: rupture of plaque > acute event.
o Rupture exposes highly thrombogenic plaque contents (collagen, lipid, debris) to blood stream > activation of cogulation cascade and thrombotic occlusion in very short time.
o Total occlusion > irreversible ischaemia > necrosis (infarction of tissues).
what is a thrombus?
the formation of a solid mass from the constituents of blood withing the vascular system during life
pathogenesis of thrombosis
o Atheromatous coronary artery.
o Turbulent blood flow (fibrin deposition, platelet clumping).
o Loss of intimal cells, denuded plaque.
o Collagen exposed; platelets adhere.
o Fibrin meshwork forms, RBCs become trapped.
o Alternating bands: lines of Zahn.
o Further turbulence and platelet deposition.
o Propagation.
o Consequences.
what do the consequences of thrombosis depend on?
site
extent
collateral circulation