Hypertension

Introduction

An elevated blood pressure is the most recognized health problem to the public in developed countries
It is Common, asymtomatic, readily detectable, usualy treatable, often leads to lethal complication if untreated.
Blood Presure vary during during course of the day.




Definations


Blood presure is the force blood exerts on the arteries as the heart pumps its through the arteries. An increase in the blood volume pumped from the heart would increase blood presure & cause blood vessels blood presure.
A normal reading should be 130/80 mmhg & below

How it is measured

• Blood pressure is measured as millimimeters of mercury (mmhg) & it has tow components. Systolic/diastolic for example 120/80 mmhg.


• The systolic reading is measurement of the force that is created as the heart pushes blood through the ourta and into the circulatory system.


• The diastolic reading is measurement of the force exerted by the walls the arteries as they resist blood flow.
  
  High Risk People
  
• Male, menopouse women
• Genetic
• Obesity
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Heavy alchohol intake
• Renal disease e.g acute or chronic glomerulonephritis, renal artery stenosis.
• endocrine disease e.g. cushing synd, pheochromocytoma.
• coarctation of aorta.

Clinical Feutures

• Usually asymtomatic
• Sleep disturbances
• emotional upsets
• epistaxis
• most common symptom - Headaches, dizziness, tension of scalp & neck muscles, blurring of vision, nuasea, vomiting.

Effect of hypertension

• On the heart ; dyspnea, orthropnea, angia, IHD, dissecting aneurysm.
• CNS; hypertensive encephlopathy, cerebral infarct, syncopy, proteinoria, microscopic heamaturia.

Investigation

• Urinalysis
• Chest x ray
• ECG
• Renal profile
• Lipid profile

Controlling Hypertension

• Weight Management
• Balance diet
• Activity / Exercise
• Attitudes
• Compliance to medication
• regular check up
• emotions

Pharmacological

• Diuretics
• ACE
• Cal Channel blockers
• Vasodilators
• beta blockers
• alfa blockers

Simple Tips

• Find out history
• If pt is conscious reassure the pt & keep him calm.
• Check all vital signs
• did pt take his hypertensive medication or not
• what was the complains before the pt collapsed
• take the pt to the nearest hospital.