How is primary hypertension (high blood pressure) treated?
Because primary hypertension has no identifiable cause, treatment is based on interfering with the physiological mechanisms that regulate blood pressure. Thiazide diuretics treat hypertension because they:
What are the first line medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)?
First-line medications used in the treatment of hypertension include diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Some patients will require 2 or more antihypertensive medications to achieve their BP target.
Which drug class should be added as a second step in hypertension?
If not chosen as the first drug in hypertension treatment, which drug class should be added as a second step because it will enhance the effects of most other agents? 1. ACE inhibitors 2. Beta blockers 3. Calcium channel blockers 4. Diuretics 4 Treatment costs are important for patients with hypertension.
What medications can I take to lower my blood pressure?
If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medications, your doctor may prescribe: Alpha blockers. These medications reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, reducing the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels. Alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress) and others.
What is the treatment for primary hypertension?
Alpha-beta blockers include carvedilol (Coreg) and labetalol (Trandate). Beta blockers. These medications reduce the workload on your heart and widen your blood vessels, causing your heart to beat slower and with less force. Beta blockers include acebutolol, atenolol (Tenormin) and others.
Which family of medications are recommended to be used first to treat hypertension?
The strongest body of evidence indicates that for most patients with hypertension, thiazide diuretics are the best proven first-line treatment in reducing morbidity and mortality.
Which of the following drugs are most likely to be used to treat hypertension?
Diuretics. There are three classes of diuretic drugs that are used to treat hypertension. Most commonly used are thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone. There is not usually an increased urine flow after the first one or two days of taking these medications.
Which are the drugs for 1st line treatment of hypertension Mcq?
Treatment was to be clearly defined as a specific class of first‐line antihypertensive therapy in one of the following classes: thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, or alpha adrenergic blockers.
How do ACE inhibitors treat hypertension?
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medications that help relax the veins and arteries to lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors prevent an enzyme in the body from producing angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels.
Why are ACE inhibitors first line for hypertension?
Introduction. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) effectively lower blood pressure (BP) through inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system and are equally recommended as first-line medications in the treatment of hypertension.
Which ACE inhibitor is best for hypertension?
When considering factors such as increased ejection fraction, stroke volume, and decreasing mean arterial pressure, our results suggest that enalapril was the most effective ACE inhibitor.
What is the first line of therapy for high blood pressure?
Diuretics are often recommended as the first line of therapy for most people who have high blood pressure. However, your doctor may start a medicine other than a diuretic as the first line of therapy if you have certain medical problems. For example, ACE inhibitors are often a choice for people with diabetes.
What to do if blood pressure is 20/10?
If your blood pressure is more than 20/10 points higher than it should be, your doctor may consider starting you on two drugs or placing you on a combination drug.
How to reduce blood pressure with alcohol?
Getting regular aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day, several days a week) Limiting alcohol to two drinks a day for men, one drink a day for women. In addition to lowering blood pressure, these measures enhance the effectiveness of high blood pressure drugs.
What is considered high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is now classified as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 and diastolic over 80. To prevent high blood pressure, everyone should be encouraged to make lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthier diet, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise. Treatment with medication is recommended to lower blood pressure ...
Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is dangerous because it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, or kidney disease. The goal of hypertension treatment is to lower high blood pressure and protect important organs, like the brain, heart, and kidneys from damage. Treatment for hypertension has been associated with reductions in stroke ...
What tests can be done to determine if you have pulmonary hypertension?
Tests for pulmonary hypertension may include: Blood tests. Blood tests can help your doctor determine the cause of pulmonary hypertension or look for signs of complications. Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray creates pictures of your heart, lungs and chest.
What is the difference between pulmonary hypertension and class II?
Class II. You don't have symptoms at rest, but you have symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain with normal activity. Class III.
Why is pulmonary hypertension so hard to diagnose?
Pulmonary hypertension is hard to diagnose early because it's not often detected in a routine physical exam. Even when the condition is more advanced, its signs and symptoms are similar to those of other heart and lung conditions. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and talk to you about your signs and symptoms.
What is the purpose of a right heart catheter?
Right heart catheterization allows your doctor to directly measure the pressure in the main pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of the heart. It's also used to see what effect different medications may have on your pulmonary hypertension.
What is the purpose of echocardiogram?
Echocardiogram. Sound waves can create moving images of the beating heart. An echocardiogram lets your doctor see how well your heart and its valves are working. It can be used to determine the size and thickness of the right ventricle, and to measure the pressure in your pulmonary arteries.
Is there a cure for pulmonary hypertension?
There's no cure for pulmonary hypertension, but your doctors can prescribe treatments to help you manage your condition. Treatment may help improve your symptoms and slow the progress of pulmonary hypertension.
Can you have an echocardiogram after pulmonary hypertension?
Right heart catheterization. If an echocardiogram reveals pulmonary hypertension, you'll likely have a right heart catheterization to confirm the diagnosis.
What is the first line of medication for hypertension?
First-line medications used in the treatment of hypertension include diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Some patients will require 2 or more antihypertensive medications to achieve their BP target.
What are the main goals of a medical history and physical examination for hypertension?
The main goals are to look for reversible precipitating factors, the presence and/or extent of end-organ damage, and the presence of additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, such as diabetes or smoking.
How do CCBs affect BP?
CCBs lower BP by preventing the entry of calcium into vascular smooth muscles, resulting in vasodilation and reduced vascular contract ility. The 2 types of CCBs are (1) dihydropyridines, which act on peripheral blood vessels, and (2) nondihydropyridines, which act on cardiac muscles and peripheral blood vessels.
How much did hypertension cost in 2009?
The total direct and indirect costs of hypertension in 2009 are estimated at $73.4 billion. ▸ Despite the many therapeutic options, most patients are still not at blood pressure goals. Instituting early preventive measures is essential to minimize complications associated with this costly condition.
What causes elevated BP?
Despite the prevalence of hypertension, approximately 90% to 95% of American adults with elevated BP are found to have no identifiable cause for their condition. Of the 5% with known causes, renal parenchymal and renovascular diseases are the most common culprits.1Other notable etiologies for hypertension include1: 1 Chronic kidney disease 2 Coarctation of the aorta 3 Cushing syndrome 4 Obstructive sleep apnea 5 Medications 6 Pheochromocytoma 7 Primary hyperaldosteronism 8 Renovascular disease 9 Thyroid/parathyroid disease.
What are the advantages of a fixed therapy regimen?
Advantages of fixed combination therapy include better compliance, fewer side effects, faster response, and possibly lower cost, depending on the choice of agents and the insurance programs. The combination of an ACE inhibitor or ARB with a diuretic is an effective and well-tolerated initial regimen.
Is hypertension a public health problem?
Hypertension is a significant and costly public health problem. It is a major, but modifiable contributor for the development of cardiovascular disease.
How to lower blood pressure if you have high blood pressure?
Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.
Does weight increase blood pressure?
Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which further raises your blood pressure. Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure.
Does coffee raise blood pressure?
The role caffeine plays in blood pressure is still debated. Caffeine can raise blood pressure up to 10 mm Hg in people who rarely consume it. But people who drink coffee regularly may experience little or no effect on their blood pressure.
Diagnosis
- Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical examination. The doctor, nurse or other medical assistant will place an inflatable arm cuff around your arm and measure your blood pressure using a pressure-measuring gauge. Your blood pressure generally …
Treatment
- Changing your lifestyle can help control and manage high blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend that you make lifestyle changes including: 1. Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt 2. Getting regular physical activity 3. Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you're overweight or obese 4. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink But sometimes lifestyle change…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Alternative Medicine
- Although diet and exercise are the most appropriate tactics to lower your blood pressure, some supplements also may help lower it. However, more research is needed to determine the potential benefits. These supplements include: 1. Fiber, such as blond psyllium and wheat bran 2. Minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium 3. Folic acid 4. Supplements or products that incre…
Coping and Support
- High blood pressure isn't a problem that you can treat and then ignore. It's a condition you need to manage for the rest of your life. To keep your blood pressure under control: 1. Take your medications properly.If side effects or costs pose problems, don't stop taking your medications. Ask your doctor about other options. 2. Schedule regular doctor visits.It takes a team effort to tr…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your doctor to have your blood pressure checked. No special preparations are necessary to have your blood pressure checked. You might want to wear a short-sleeved shirt to your appointment so that the blood pressure cuff can fit around your arm properly. Avoid eating, drinking caffeinated beverages an…