5

• what is hypertension?

  elevated heart rate
• what is high blood pressure?

  blood pressure over 140/90
• how do you calculate body mass index?

  BMI = weight / (height in metres)squared
• what are complications of hypertension?

  shortness of breath, aneurysms, kidney disease, retinopathy and hypertrophy
• why would a blood or urine test be ordered on a patient with hypertension?

  to rule out kidney failure or diabetes, renal disease and conn syndrome (overproduction of aldosterone)
• what are some risk factors for a cardiovascular event?

  hypertension, raised serum cholesterol
• what lifestyle modifications would be expected to lower blood pressure and why?

  increase exercise levels, avoid convenience food, alcohol and cigarettes. this would lower cholesterol levels.
• what is LDL cholesterol?

  low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• what is HDL cholesterol?

  high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• what are triglycerides?

  lipid composed of glycerol and 3 fatty acids - fat that the body uses for energy
• what is heartburn and what is it caused by?

  heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid moving up towards the throat
• why would you need to question a patient carefully about his symptoms?

  to get a better understanding of his overall health
• what lifestyle factors can aggravate heartburn?

  eating large meals late at night, overweight, diet consisting of lots of convenience food and alcohol
• Which are more effective – liquid or solid antacid preparations?

  antacid tablets are slow acting and have less neutralizing power than a liquid form of antacid. Tablets must be chewed, and may not interact well with gastric acid. For most, the convenience of tablets far outweighs these slight disadvantages.
• Which metal ion in the antacid preparation would you be concerned about, and why?

  Mg associated with sodium should be avoided with high salt intake
• Why do people find it difficult to take antihypertensive medicines (poor compliance)?

  hypertension is asymptomatic
• What is the role of the healthcare professional in smoking cessation?

  education - providing nicotine patches, nicotine gum to help with withdrawal
• what health and well being advice could be given in light of a fracture ?

  Reduce tobacco intake as it reduces recovery time for fractures

  Work on his upper body weights in his arms