Hypertension and Blood Pressure Measurement Quiz

Study Notes

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure is consistently elevated above the normal range.
The main cause of hypertension is increased cardiac output and/or increased peripheral resistance.
Hypertension is often asymptomatic, which is why it is also called the ‘’silent killer’’ – many people who have hypertension don’t even know they have it.
The optimal blood pressure is around 115/75mmHg, but higher blood pressures increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
There are different cut-off values for hypertension depending on where the measurement is taken, but the goal is to reduce mortality and morbidity caused by hypertension in a cost-efficient manner.
There are two main measurement methods for hypertension – direct methods and indirect methods.
The indirect method, auscultation, is used to measure BP indirectly by measuring the murmur produced when the brachial artery is depressed.
The indirect method has two threshold values – the first when the pressure is lowered below the systolic pressure and the second when the pressure is lowered below the diastolic pressure.
In general, the lower the BP, the lower the cut-off value.
Hypertension is a common condition and can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications, or a combination of both.