Makindo Medical Notes.com |
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Related Subjects: |Assessing Chest Pain |Hypertension |Hypertension in Pregnancy |Malignant Hypertension |Preeclampsia, Eclampsia and HELLP |Acute Heart Failure |Chronic Heart Failure
Grade | Systolic BP (mmHg) | Diastolic BP (mmHg) | Clinical Significance |
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Normal | < 120 | < 80 | Blood pressure is within the normal range. No hypertension. Recommend healthy lifestyle practices. |
Elevated | 120-129 | < 80 | Early indication of elevated blood pressure. Increased risk of progressing to hypertension without lifestyle intervention. |
Grade 1 Hypertension | 130-139 | 80-89 | Mild hypertension. Lifestyle changes are recommended, and medication may be required if there are additional cardiovascular risk factors. |
Grade 2 Hypertension | 140-159 | 90-99 | Moderate hypertension. Lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications are usually necessary to control blood pressure. |
Grade 3 Hypertension | > 160 | > 100 | Severe hypertension. Aggressive management, including multiple antihypertensive agents, is required to prevent complications such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. |
Hypertensive Crisis | > 180 | > 120 | Emergency situation. Immediate medical attention is required to prevent life-threatening complications like stroke, heart attack, or organ damage. |
Grade | Retinal Findings | Clinical Significance |
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Grade 1 | Mild arteriolar narrowing and thickening of the arteriolar walls. "Copper wiring" or "silver wiring" may be noted due to arteriolar sclerosis. | Early stage of hypertensive retinopathy. Often asymptomatic, but indicates mild, chronic hypertension. May not cause significant visual impairment at this stage. |
Grade 2 | Moderate arteriolar narrowing with more pronounced focal arteriolar constriction and arteriovenous (AV) nicking (Gunn’s sign). | Indicates more severe and sustained hypertension. Risk of developing more severe hypertensive complications such as heart and kidney damage increases. |
Grade 3 | Severe arteriolar narrowing, along with retinal hemorrhages, cotton wool spots (microinfarctions of nerve fibers), and exudates (lipid deposits). | Significant damage to the retina is present, reflecting dangerously high blood pressure. There is an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. May cause visual disturbances. |
Grade 4 | All the features of Grade 3, plus optic disc swelling (papilledema), indicating severe damage to the optic nerve. | A Possible Medical emergency. This stage is indicative of malignant hypertension and requires urgent treatment. There is a high risk of permanent visual loss, stroke, heart failure, and renal failure. |
We see many older patients over 80 with high blood pressure often asymptomatic and would not regard this as malignant hypertension. Take advice. It is important not to lower the BP too quickly.
Cause | Clinical Features | Investigations | Management |
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Renal Artery Stenosis |
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Primary Aldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome) |
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Pheochromocytoma |
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Cushing's Syndrome |
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Coarctation of the Aorta |
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Thyroid Disease (Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism) |
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) |
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Complication | Description | Pathophysiology | Clinical Consequences |
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Stroke | Hypertension is a major risk factor for both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes. | Chronic hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain, leading to narrowing, blockage, or rupture. | Results in neurological deficits, paralysis, speech difficulties, and may lead to death or long-term disability. |
Renal Failure | Hypertension can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). | Increased blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste from the blood. | Leads to the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation, and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. |
Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) | Hypertension is a leading cause of left ventricular hypertrophy, which can progress to heart failure. | Increased afterload from hypertension causes the heart to work harder, leading to hypertrophy and eventually failure to pump efficiently. | Symptoms include shortness of breath, fluid retention, fatigue, and reduced exercise tolerance. |
Myocardial Infarction | Hypertension accelerates the development of atherosclerosis, leading to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (heart attack). | Chronic high blood pressure damages arterial walls, leading to plaque formation and the risk of rupture and thrombosis. | Results in chest pain, heart failure, arrhythmias, and can be fatal if not treated promptly. |
Atrial Fibrillation | Hypertension is a significant risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). | Increased pressure causes left atrial enlargement and fibrosis, leading to electrical disturbances and AF. | Results in irregular heart rhythm, increased risk of stroke, and may lead to heart failure. |
Central Retinal Vein Thrombosis | Hypertension can lead to central retinal vein occlusion, a common cause of vision loss. | High blood pressure can cause damage to the retinal veins, leading to thrombosis and impaired venous outflow. | Leads to sudden, painless vision loss, and can result in permanent blindness if untreated. |
British Hypertensive society Guidelines | ||
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Step | White Male < 55 | Black or Over 55 |
1 | ACEI or ARB | CCB or Diuretic(Thiazide) |
2 | ACEI or ARB + CCB or Diuretic(Thiazide) | ACEI or ARB +CCB or Diuretic(Thiazide) |
3 | ACEI or ARB + CCB + Diuretic | ACEI or ARB + CCB + Diuretic |
4 | Add alpha blocker/another diuretic | Add alpha blocker/another diuretic |
Drug Class | Drug Name | Typical Dose | Mechanism of Action | Pharmacology |
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ACE Inhibitors | Ramipril | 2.5-10 mg once daily | Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing the formation of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. |
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Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) | Losartan | 50-100 mg once daily | Blocks the angiotensin II receptor, preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion. |
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Calcium Channel Blockers | Amlodipine | 5-10 mg once daily | Inhibits the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells, leading to vasodilation. |
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Thiazide-like Diuretics | Indapamide | 1.5 mg once daily (prolonged release) | Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule, increasing sodium and water excretion. |
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Beta-Blockers | Atenolol | 25-100 mg once daily | Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and cardiac output, leading to lower blood pressure. |
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Aldosterone Antagonists | Spironolactone | 25-50 mg once daily | Blocks the effects of aldosterone, reducing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. |
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