MIND MAP NURS6501- PATHO- DR. RUTHERFORD
LESLIE ZELLERS
12/3/25
HYPERTENSION
2
PATHO AND ETIOLOGY
1
•(Ma & Chen, 2022)
Pathophysiology:
↑ Peripheral vascular resistance
RAAS overactivation →↑ Angiotensin II & Aldosterone RISK FACTORS
Sympathetic nervous system overactivity
Renal sodium retention / impaired excretion
↓
Endothelial dysfunction ( NO, ↑ endothelin)
Non-modifiable: Age, family
Arterial stiffness
• Etiology: history, genetics, race (higher in
Primary (essential): Multifactorial interaction of genetics +
lifestyle
African Americans), male sex
Secondary: Kidney disease, renovascular disease, endocrine Modifiable: Obesity, high sodium
disorders (aldosteronism, Cushing’s, thyroid disorders), OSA,
medications, coarctation of aorta
diet, low potassium, inactivity,
alcohol, tobacco use, poor diet,
stress, diabetes, dyslipidemia,
3
S/S, IMPACT ON OTHER BODY SYSTEMS, POSSIBLE
sleep apnea
COMPLICATIONS
Other: Low socioeconomic
Signs & Symptoms- Often asymptomatic, status, chronic inflammation,
Headache, Dizziness, Blurred vision, Fatigue, environmental exposures
Chest pain, Palpitations
Impact on Body Systems- Heart: ↑
workload →
LVH, HF
Kidneys: vessel damage →↓
function
Brain: vessel injury →↑
stroke risk
Eyes: retinopathy
Vessels: atherosclerosis, aneurysm risk
Complications
MI, heart failure
Stroke (ischemic/hemorrhagic)
Chronic kidney disease
Retinopathy/vision loss
Peripheral arterial disease
Aortic aneurysm/dissection
5 4
Hypertensive crisis
DX TESTS AND LABS
(Whelton et al., 2020)
BP Confirmation- Repeat office BP, Home BP (HBPM),
Ambulatory BP (ABPM – gold standard)
Labs- BMP (electrolytes, kidney function), Lipid panel,
Glucose/A1C, Urinalysis, TSH
Additional (as needed)- ECG, Echocardiogram, Renal
TX AND REFERRALS ultrasound, Aldosterone/renin ratio, Sleep study (OSA)
Lifestyle- Diet (DASH), low sodium, Exercise, weight control, Limit alcohol, quit
smoking, Stress management
Medications- ACE inhibitors / ARBs, Thiazide diuretics, Calcium channel blockers,
Beta-blockers (if needed)
Referrals- Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Endocrinologist, Dietitian
LESLIE ZELLERS
12/3/25
HYPERTENSION
2
PATHO AND ETIOLOGY
1
•(Ma & Chen, 2022)
Pathophysiology:
↑ Peripheral vascular resistance
RAAS overactivation →↑ Angiotensin II & Aldosterone RISK FACTORS
Sympathetic nervous system overactivity
Renal sodium retention / impaired excretion
↓
Endothelial dysfunction ( NO, ↑ endothelin)
Non-modifiable: Age, family
Arterial stiffness
• Etiology: history, genetics, race (higher in
Primary (essential): Multifactorial interaction of genetics +
lifestyle
African Americans), male sex
Secondary: Kidney disease, renovascular disease, endocrine Modifiable: Obesity, high sodium
disorders (aldosteronism, Cushing’s, thyroid disorders), OSA,
medications, coarctation of aorta
diet, low potassium, inactivity,
alcohol, tobacco use, poor diet,
stress, diabetes, dyslipidemia,
3
S/S, IMPACT ON OTHER BODY SYSTEMS, POSSIBLE
sleep apnea
COMPLICATIONS
Other: Low socioeconomic
Signs & Symptoms- Often asymptomatic, status, chronic inflammation,
Headache, Dizziness, Blurred vision, Fatigue, environmental exposures
Chest pain, Palpitations
Impact on Body Systems- Heart: ↑
workload →
LVH, HF
Kidneys: vessel damage →↓
function
Brain: vessel injury →↑
stroke risk
Eyes: retinopathy
Vessels: atherosclerosis, aneurysm risk
Complications
MI, heart failure
Stroke (ischemic/hemorrhagic)
Chronic kidney disease
Retinopathy/vision loss
Peripheral arterial disease
Aortic aneurysm/dissection
5 4
Hypertensive crisis
DX TESTS AND LABS
(Whelton et al., 2020)
BP Confirmation- Repeat office BP, Home BP (HBPM),
Ambulatory BP (ABPM – gold standard)
Labs- BMP (electrolytes, kidney function), Lipid panel,
Glucose/A1C, Urinalysis, TSH
Additional (as needed)- ECG, Echocardiogram, Renal
TX AND REFERRALS ultrasound, Aldosterone/renin ratio, Sleep study (OSA)
Lifestyle- Diet (DASH), low sodium, Exercise, weight control, Limit alcohol, quit
smoking, Stress management
Medications- ACE inhibitors / ARBs, Thiazide diuretics, Calcium channel blockers,
Beta-blockers (if needed)
Referrals- Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Endocrinologist, Dietitian
