Hypertension Quiz

Hypertension: Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management

• Endocrine causes of hypertension include Cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, hyperthyroidism, and pheochromocytoma
• Inflammatory substances like sugar can lead to changes in blood vessels and increased blood pressure
• Mineralocorticoids like aldosterone lead to sodium and water retention, increasing blood pressure
• Early physiologic changes that can lead to hypertension include increased sympathetic nervous system activity and resistance in insulin action
• Management of hypertension in older adults involves keeping blood pressure below 130/80, especially for those with stroke, TIA, multiple comorbidities, and limited life expectancy
• Risk factors for hypertension include advancing age, race (African American), chronic kidney disease, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, family history, gender, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, poor diet habits, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, stress, and sleep apnea
• Diagnostic results for hypertension include accurate blood pressure readings at different times, health assessment, eye examination for retinopathy, urine tests for kidney function, electrolyte levels, heart function tests, and EKG
• Lifestyle modifications for hypertension include gradual weight loss, exercise, DASH diet, limiting sodium intake, and increasing potassium intake
• Medication therapy for hypertension includes thiazide/thiazide-like diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs as first-line medications
• African Americans have specific considerations for hypertension management due to their genetic predisposition to salt retention
• Sleep apnea is a major cause of hypertension, with obesity as one of the main contributing factors
• Hypertension in older adults is often associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure due to changes in elasticity, accumulation of plaque, volume expansion, and changes in cardiac contraction