Questions and CORRECT Answers
Hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - an abnormal elevation of arterial pressure, high
blood pressure, silent killer
Prevalence of hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - - increases with age
- greater in black than white populations
- lower in Hispanic populations
- lowest in Asian populations
- greater in men
Primary/ essential hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - undetermined exact cause, 90%
of cases
Secondary hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - high blood pressure associated with an
underlying condition, 10% of cases
Most common causes of secondary hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - kidney disease,
adrenal disorders, oral contraceptives, sleep apnea
Hypertension risk factors - CORRECT ANSWER - - age
- race
- reduced number of nephrons
- lifestyle (obesity, smoking, alcohol, salt intake)
- family history
Systolic blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - the pressure at the peak of ventricular
contraction
,Diastolic blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - total resting resistance after passage of
the pulsation force- produced by contraction of the left ventricle
Pulse pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - difference between systolic and diastolic pressure
(systolic- diastolic = pulse pressure)
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) - CORRECT ANSWER - diastolic pressure plus 1/3 pulse
pressure
(Diastolic + 1/3PP)
Complications of hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - - reduces life span 10-20 years if
untreated
- increases risk of complications- stroke or MI
- 20 mmHg systolic increase and 10 mmHg diastolic increase doubles risk for death from
ischemic heart disease and CVA
prolonged hypertension can cause - CORRECT ANSWER - - arterial damage
- heart disease
- MI
- coronary insufficiency
- congestive heart failure
- renal failure
- CVA
- dementia
- encephalopathy
- blindness
Early symptoms of hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - - elevated BP reading
,- vision changes: narrowing of retinal arterioles
- occipital headache
- dizziness
- tinnitus
Advanced symptoms of hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - - rupture, hemorrhage
retinal arterioles
- papilledema
- angina
- left ventricular hypertrophy: makes heart chamber smaller
- congestive heart failure
- proteinuria
- renal failure
- dementia
- encephalopathy
- CVA
Medical management of hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - drug tx for mild to
moderate hypertension- effective in preventing complications
Goals of antihypertensive therapy - CORRECT ANSWER - - ideal to achieve and
maintain diastolic lower than 80 mmHg and systolic below 130 mmHg
- early tx/ intervention to avoid complications over time
Normal blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - - systolic less than 120
and
- diastolic less than 80
Elevated blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER - - systolic 120-129
, and
- diastolic less than 80
Hypertension stage 1 - CORRECT ANSWER - - systolic 130-139
or
- diastolic 80-89
Hypertension stage 2 - CORRECT ANSWER - - systolic 140 or higher
or
- diastolic 90 or higher
Hypertensive crisis - CORRECT ANSWER - - systolic 180 or higher
and/ or
- diastolic higher than 120
How to diagnose hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER - when blood pressure is
consistently systolic 130 or higher and/or diastolic 80 or higher
When drug therapy for hypertension indicated - CORRECT ANSWER - if lifestyle
modifications are inadequate for achieving desired BP reduction
When is hypertension drug therapy initiated for non-high risk pts - CORRECT
ANSWER - when BP is greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg and no comorbid
conditions are present
When is hypertension drug tx with 2 drugs prescribed - CORRECT ANSWER - - when
goal is not reached with first line of drugs
- BP is higher than 20/10 mmHg above goal
- drugs with complementary mechanisms of action (different drug classifications) prescribed