Signs, Symptoms & RFs

• What are the complications of HTN?

  Heart attack/stroke

  Aneurysm

  Heart failure

  Hypertensive nephropathy

  Hypertensive retinopathy

  Metabolic syndrome (reduces metabolism)

  Memory loss

  Dementia

  Atheroma
• What are the effects of cocaine use?

  Agitated & panicky

  Vasoconstriction -> stomach pain & nausea

  Tachycardia

  Hyperthermia

  Visible shaking

  Hypertension

  Increased confidence

  Diaphoresis (increased sweating)

  Mydriasis (dilated pupil)
• What are the signs & symptoms of HTN?

  Usually asymptomatic

  If there are symptoms, think hypertensive crisis

  • Headaches (common)
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nose bleeds
  • SOB
  • Chest pain
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
• What are the non-modifiable risk factors of primary (essential) HTN?

  Age

  Gender (male)

  Ethnicity

  Family history
• What are the modifiable risk factors of primary (essential) HTN?

  Diet

  Smoking

  Alcohol

  Exercise

  Stress

  BMI
• What diets can increase the risk of HTN?

  High salt

  High saturated fat

  High simple carbohydrate

  Low fruit & veg intake

  Excessive liquorice (saturate enzyme that breaks down cortisol)
• Why is age a risk factor of primary HTN?

  Stiffening of arteries as we age - elastin is replaced by collagen

  Less elastic arteries

  Age increases BP
• Why is exercise important for blood pressure?

  Exercise can increase BP (temporary)

  Long-term exercise -> increased strength of heart muscle -> heart can pump more blood with less effort -> force on arteries decreases -> lowers BP
• Why is being male a risk factor of primary HTN?

  Female sex hormones protect against HTN until around menopause
• How does ethnicity play a role in the risk of HTN?

  African-Caribbean & South-Asian descent are at increased risk of high arterial BP
• How does family history increase risk of HTN?

  Having 1 or more close relatives with HTN -> increased risk of HTN
• How is obesity a risk factor for HTN?

  Causes sympathetic overdrive
• What are the common drugs that increase BP?

  Alcohol

  Stimulant, recreational drugs

  Oral contraceptive pill

  NSAIDs

  Corticosteroids

  Calcineurin inhibitors

  Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors

  Some antidepressants