Download pharmacy: hypertension

PHARMACY: HYPERTENSION
EDITED BY DENISE GERSON
ABSTRACT
DEFINITION:
HYPERTENSION (HT) is a term used to describe a high blood pressure. It is a condition that
affects millions of people worldwide and can put you at a greater risk for health problems.
WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
BLOOD PRESSURE
(BP) is the force applied by
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS:
blood against artery (type of blood vessels that
BP depends on the blood vessel’s width, how
carry blood from the heart to the rest of the
forcefully the heart contracts during pumping
body) walls. Two types of BP are measured.
and the volume of blood present in the
circulation. In most cases, the reason for
SYSTOLIC BP Measures the pressure in your
arteries
during
systole,
while
the
heart
contracts and pumps blood (the heartbeat).
increased BP is not known. This is called
Essential HT. However, certain factors are
associated with HT. These include:

DIASTOLIC BP Measures the pressure in your
arteries during the diastole, while the heart
relaxes and is filled with blood (between
heartbeats).
The normal value of BP is, usually, less than
120/80 mmHg - 120 refers to the systolic BP
and 80 refers to the diastolic BP. The 'mmHg'
(millimetres of mercury) are the units used to
measure the pressure.
In HT, systolic BP is usually greater than 140
mmHg and/or the diastolic BP is greater than
90 mmHg. Often, this condition is like a,
because although you do not feel sick the
disease and its risks are still present.
Overweight/obesity,
not
physically
active, diabetes, high cholesterol

Older age, male gender

Stress

Diet with too much salt and fat

Smoking

African-Americans and West Indians

Family history HT
PHARMACY: HYPERTENSION
EDITED BY DENISE GERSON
When the cause of increased BP is known, it is
STROKE
called Secondary HT it may be due to:
Arteries supplying the brain may become

Atherosclerosis
(narrowing
of
the
arteries)

of the brain and its malfunction.
Endocrine
disorders
(hormonal
problems) Kidney disease

narrowed and blocked, causing death of a part
Alcohol
abuse
and
use
KIDNEY FAILURE
of
some
Occurs due to blockage of blood vessels,
medications Heart disease
making
them
wider
and
weaker,
thus

Kidney disease
increasing the risk of rupture and bleeding.

Heart disease
SYMPTOMS
ANEURYSMS
Usually, there are no symptoms; however the
High Blood Pressure can damage blood vessels,
disease and its risks are present even in the
making
absence of symptoms and signs (“Silent
increasing the risk of rupture and bleeding.
them
wider
and
weaker,
thus
Killer”). When BP is severely elevated, some
symptoms may occur:
VISUAL LOSS

Headache

Tiredness

Awareness of heartbeat (palpations)

Confusion, nosebleed, changes in vision
These
symptoms
complication
as
Due to blockage of blood vessels in the eyes.
can
be
alert
of
Hypertension
some
causes
COMPLICATIONS:
1. Stroke
2. Visual loss;
3. Aneurysms;
progressive damage over time (it can also be
4. Heart failure;
present with symptoms):
5. Heart Attack;
6. Kidney failure.
HYPERTENSIVE HEART DISEASE
The heart must be stronger to pump blood out
against an elevated Blood Pressure, there is an
enlargement of the heart muscle.
MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION (HEART ATTACK)
Coronary arteries may become narrowed and
blocked, causing death of a part of the heart
tissue and its subsequent malfunction.
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
The heart cannot pump sufficient enough
amount of blood to meet the body’s needs.
PHARMACY: HYPERTENSION
EDITED BY DENISE GERSON
DIAGNOSIS4,5
usually, around the arm; then the doctor
Blood pressure levels experience some normal
pumps it with one hand on a bulb and with the
variations during the day, as it is low during
other hand places the diaphragm of the
sleep and increases on wakening. Physical
stethoscope on your arm, to listen to the
activity, an emotional episode or drinking
arterial sound, while watching the BP values;
caffeine
levels
an automated system may be used instead.
episodically, but it will return to normal levels
Both the systolic and diastolic BP can be
soon after. Because of these variations, blood
measured using this method.
can
pressure
raise
levels
blood
must
pressure
be
measured
repeatedly over time to confirm a diagnosis
The pre-hypertensive stage means that the
of HT. As HT can be present without any
individual is at a higher risk of developing HT
symptoms, BP must be checked regularly.
and its complications. Additional tests, such as
blood and urine tests or an electrocardiogram,
may
be
required
to
look
for
signs
of
complications.
BLOOD PRESSURE:
CLASSIFICATION
SYSTOLIC
BP
DIASTOLIC
BP
Normal
Below 120
and
Below 80
Prehypertension
120 - 139
or
80 - 89
Stage 1
140 - 159
or
90 - 99
160+
or
100+
hypertension
Stage 2
hypertension
HYPERTENSION TERMS EXPLAINED
ANEURYSM:
An aneurysm occurs when part of a blood
This should also be done when there are
vessel (artery) or cardiac chamber swells, -
symptoms present. Your doctor will refer to
either the blood vessel is damaged, or there is
medical history, asking about your general
a weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. As
health condition both in the present and in the
blood pressure builds up it balloons out at its
past, as well as any symptoms or factors
related to HT. He/she will also perform a
physical
examination
to
check
for
any
possible symptoms.
weakest point. The swelling can be quite small
or very large - when large it tends to extend
along the blood vessel. As the aneurysm grows
there is a greater risk of rupture - this can lead
to
Blood
Pressure
is
sphygmomanometer:
measured
a
cuff
using
is
a
placed,
severe
haemorrhage,
and
complications, including sudden death.
other
PHARMACY: HYPERTENSION
EDITED BY DENISE GERSON
ARTERY:
A vessel that carries blood away from the heart
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION:
to the cells, tissues and body organs.
Death or damage of part of the heart muscle
(myocardium), typically causing a severe pain
the chest, which often radiates to the shoulder
ATHEROSCLEROSIS:
A
degenerative
disease
of
the
arteries
arm or jaw.
characterised by the thickening and loss of
elasticity of arterial walls.
SYSTOLE:
Period of contraction of the heart, especially of
BLOOD CLOTS:
the ventricles.
Coagulated blood (formed into a solid mass)
TREATMENT:
CHOLESTEROL:
Hypertension cannot be cured, but it can be
An animal sterol that is normally synthesised by
controlled
the liver. High levels of cholesterol in the blood
treatment is to lower the blood pressure.
and
prevented.
The
goal
of
have been implicated in the development of
atherosclerosis.
The first option for treatment includes some
healthy-living recommendations:
CONGESTIVE:
An abnormal accumulation of fluid in an organ

or body area.
Low-salt (less than 1500,g/day) and
low-fat diet;
CORONARY:

Maintain a healthy weight;
Of or relating to the heart or its vessels.

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day;

Do not smoke and limit alcohol intake;

Reduce stress.
DIABETES:
Any of various disorders characterised by the
inability to process sugar in the diet.
When healthy-living recommendations are not
enough for lowering blood pressure several are
DIASTOLE:
prescribed to reduce HT and its complications;
Phase of the cardiac cycle with relaxation and
these act by modifying the blood vessel width,
dilation of the heart chambers, especially the
the heart's pumping function, the blood volume
ventricles during which the heart is filled with
or even by preventing blood clots.
blood.
Medications are often taken in combination and
HORMONE:
for life, with the dosages being gradually
Chemical substance, produced in the body,
reduced as BP is controlled and returns to
having a specific regulatory effect on the
normal.
activity of a certain organ of organs.
PHARMACY: HYPERTENSION
EDITED BY DENISE GERSON
REFERENCES:
Bibliography: l. Kimball JW Anatomy of the
human circulatory system Internet 2011 Jan 10
[cited 2011 Jul7]
Available from:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/Bio
ogyPages/C/Circulation.html.2.American
Medical Association. Atlas of human body:
general circulation [lnternet]. 1995 [cited
2011 Jul 7]
One is advised to continue treatment even
when feeling normal, as this condition usually
has no symptoms. –
A BP record table must be maintained at home
using a self-testing kit or through a medical
appointment.
Available from:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physicianresources/patient-education-materials/atlasof-human-body/circulation-general.page?#.3.
North of England Hypertension Guideline
Development Group Evidence based clinical
practice guideline essential hypertension
managing adult patients in primary care
Newcastle (UK): Centre for Health Services
Research; 2004.261 p. Report No. 111.4
Moser, M. High blood pressure: lower it and live
longer Scarsdale(NY)r Hypertension Education
Foundationi200T 5 National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National High Blood Pressure Education
Program The seventh report of the joint
National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood
Pressure Bethesda (MD):National Institutes of
Health (US);2004Aug. 87 p. NIH Publication
No. 045230,6,Bullt by Doctors Ltd. Letter of
authorisation Wilmington DE,2013 Oct.