2. Blood Pressure & Stroke
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
Practice according to the Canadian Best Practice
Recommendations for Stroke Care as they relate
to blood pressure
Discuss the impact of hypertension on stroke risk
Use proper technique when taking a blood
pressure
Monitor and interpret blood pressure reading
according to Canadian Hypertension Education
Program recommendations
Teach patient the why & how of proper blood
pressure measurement
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
3. Blood Pressure & Stroke
Hypertension Overview
Blood Pressure Targets
Blood Pressure Measurement
Office
Home
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor
Content from the following slides is derived from
the Canadian Hypertension Education
Program Recommendations, 2009
www.hypertension.ca/blood pressurec
Outline
4. Blood Pressure
2.2a Blood Pressure Assessment
All persons at risk for stroke should have their blood
pressure measured at each healthcare encounter but
no less than once annually.
Proper standardized techniques, as described by
the Canadian Hypertension Education Program,
should be followed for blood pressure measurement
Patients found to have elevated blood pressure should
undergo thorough assessment for the diagnosis of
hypertension following the current guidelines of the
Canadian Hypertension Education Program.
Patients with hypertension or at risk for hypertension
should be advised on lifestyle modifications.
CMAJ 2008;179(12 Suppl):E1-E93.
Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care, 2008
5. Blood Pressure
2.2b Blood Pressure Management
The Canadian Stroke Strategy recommends target blood
pressure levels as defined by CHEP guidelines for
prevention of first stroke, recurrent stroke and other
vascular events.
For prevention of first stroke in the general population the
systolic blood pressure treatment goal is a pressure level of
less than 140 mm Hg
The diastolic blood pressure treatment goal is a pressure
level of less than 90 mm Hg
Blood pressure lowering treatment is recommended for
patients who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack
to a target of less than 140/90 mm Hg
In patients who have had a stroke, treatment with an
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and diuretic
is preferred
CMAJ 2008;179(12 Suppl):E1-E93.
Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care, 2008
6. 2.2b Cont’d
Blood pressure lowering treatment is recommended for the
prevention of first or recurrent stroke in patients with diabetes
to attain systolic blood pressures of less than 130 mm Hg and
diastolic blood pressures of lower than 80 mm Hg
Blood pressure lowering treatment is recommended for the
prevention of first or recurrent stroke in patients with non
diabetic chronic kidney disease to attain systolic blood
pressures of less than 130 mm Hg and diastolic blood
pressures of lower than 80 mm Hg
RCTs have not defined the optimal time to initiate BP lowering
therapy after stroke or TIA. It is recommended that blood
pressure lowering treatment be initiated (or modified) before
discharge from hospital.
For recommendations on specific agents and sequence of
agents refer to the current CHEP guidelines
www.hypertension.ca/chep
7. Modifiable Risks for Developing
Hypertension
Obesity
Poor dietary habits
High sodium intake
Sedentary lifestyle
High alcohol consumption
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
8. Challenges to Hypertension Management:
Public Perceptions
80% of people were unaware of the
association between hypertension and
CVD
63% believed that hypertension was not a
serious condition
38% of people thought they could control
high blood pressure without the help of a
health professionalCan J Cardiol 2005;21:589-
93
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
9. Question
What is the office blood pressure target for a
patient with diabetes and/or renal disease?
a. < 140/90
b. < 135/85
c. < 160/100
d. < 130/80
e. < 120/80
10. Blood Pressure Targets for the
Treatment of Hypertension
Condition Target
Isolated systolic hypertension <140 mmHg
Systolic/Diastolic Hypertension
• Systolic blood pressure
• Diastolic blood pressure
<140 mmHg
<90 mmHg
Diabetes or Chronic Kidney Disease
• Systolic
• Diastolic
<130 mmHg
<80 mmHg
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
11. Question
By how many mmHg do you need to lower
blood pressure in order to decrease CV
risk?
a. 2 mmHg
b. 5 mmHg
c. 10 mmHg
d. 15 mmHg
e. 20 mmHg
12. Question
At what blood pressure does the risk for
cardiovascular disease and stroke start to
increase?
a. > 140/90
b. > 130/80
c. > 110/75
d. < 150/95
e. < 120/85
13. Blood Pressure Measurement
Office (OBPM)
Home (HBPM)
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
(ABPM)
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
15. Question
How long should a patient rest prior to taking
a resting blood pressure measurement?
a. 1 minute
b. 2 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 10 minutes
e. No rest is required
16. Types of Readings
Casual blood pressure - a measurement
taken without the required 5 minute rest
period
Resting blood pressure - the seated
resting blood pressure is used to
determine and monitor treatment decisions
Standing blood pressure - is used to test
for postural hypotension, which may
modify treatment if present
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
17. Observer
Positioned comfortably to obtain
measurement
Manometer at eye level
Well maintained stethoscope
Clean earpieces
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
18. Patient Preparation
No caffeine for 30 – 60 minutes
No smoking for 30 minutes
No exercise for 30 minutes
Bladder/Bowel comfortable
Quiet/temperate, relaxed environment, no talking
Bare arm with no constrictive clothing
Patient should stay silent prior and during the
procedure
No acute anxiety, stress or pain
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
19. Posture
Calmly seated for 5 minutes
Back well supported
Arm relaxed & supported at
heart level
Legs uncrossed, feet flat on
the floor
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
20. Recommended Equipment for
Measuring Blood Pressure
Mercury manometer Recently calibrated aneroid
Validated automated device
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
21. BpTRU
Automated, non invasive monitor that measures
blood pressure and pulse in patients using upper
arm cuff
Device automatically inflates and deflates the cuff
Uses oscillometric technique
Has 2 operational modes
Manual mode to take one blood pressure
measurement
Automatic mode takes 6 measurements,
discards the first, and displays the average of
the next 5 readings.
Product Overview
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
22. Cuff Size
Measure arm circumference midpoint b/w
shoulder and elbow
Bladder must encircle at least 80% of arm
circumference
Lower edge of cuff placed 2-3 cm above
elbow crease
Bladder centered over the brachial artery
Tell patient their cuff size
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
23. Cuff Position & Dimensions
(no standardization between manufacturers)
Locate the brachial pulse and centre the cuff
bladder over it
Position cuff at heart level.
Circumference of Adult Arm Size of Bladder (cm)
18-26 cm 9x18 (Child)
> 26-33 cm 12x23 (Regular Adult)
> 33-41 cm 15X33 (Large)
> 41 cm 18x36 (Extra Large)
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
24. Office Technique
On initial visit, blood pressure should be taken in
both arms and subsequently it should be
measured in the arm with the highest reading.
Inform the patient
Duplicate, resting readings, 1 – 2 minutes apart,
should be taken at each visit
If readings vary by > 5mmHg, the readings should
be repeated until 2 consecutive readings are
comparable
Standing blood pressure @ 1 & 3 minutes
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
25. Palpation
Determine systolic blood pressure by palpation to
decrease pain and exclude possibility of systolic
auscultatory gap
1. Palpate the radial pulse
2. Inflate quickly to 60 mmHg and then by increments of
10mmHg until the pulse disappears = estimated
palpated systolic pressure
3. Slowly deflate at a rate of 2 mmHg/second until the
pulse reappears to confirm your palpated systolic
pressure
4. Add 30 mmHg to this number to determine you
Maximum Inflation Level (MIL)
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
26. Korotkoff Sounds and Auscultatory Gap
Systolic blood pressure
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
No sound
Clear sound
Clear sound
Muffled sound
No sound
Phase 1
Phase 3
Phase 4
Phase 5
Muffling Phase 2
Auscultatory
gapNo sound
mm Hg
Korotkoff sounds
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
27. Auscultation
1. Palpate, then place stethoscope over brachial artery
2. Inflate cuff pressure to the MIL
3. Deflate cuff pressure by 2 mmHg per second
Appearance of 2 regular tapping sounds
Korotkoff phase I = systolic pressure
1. Continue to decrease pressure by 2 mmHg per second
Disappearance of sound
Korotkoff phase V = diastolic pressure
1. If DBP>90 mmHg listen for an additional 30mmHg to rule
out Diastolic auscultatory gap
2. Record measurement
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
28. The Concept of White Coat vs
Masked Hypertension
From Pickering et al, Hypertension 2002
Office SBP mmHg
HomeorABPMSBPmmHg
True
Hypertensive
True
Normotensive
White Coat
Hypertension
Masked
Hypertension
135
140
135
140
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
29. The Prognosis of Masked hypertension
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Normotension White Coat
Hypertension
Masked
Hypertension
Hypertension
Relatve risk
of CVD
J Hypertension 2007;25:2193-98
Prevalence of masked hypertension is approximately 10% in the
general population (prevalence is higher in diabetic patients).
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
30. Question
What is the target home blood pressure for a
patient without Diabetes Mellitus or
Chronic Kidney Disease?
a. < 120/80
b. < 125/75
c. < 130/80
d. < 135/85
e. < 140/90
31. OBPM HBPM, ABPM Equivalence
A clinic blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg has a similar risk of a:
Description Blood Pressure mmHg
Home pressure average 135 / 85
Daytime average ABP 135 / 85
24-hour average ABP 130 / 80
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
32. Important Role for Home Blood Pressure
Measurement
Measuring blood pressure at home has a stronger
association with CV prognosis than office based
readings
Home measurement can help to:
confirm the diagnosis of hypertension
improve blood pressure control
reduce the need for medications
improve medication adherence in non adherent patients
help to identify white coat and masked hypertension
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
33. Home Measurement of Blood Pressure:
Use Validated Blood Pressure
Measurement Devices
This logo* on the packaging
ensures that this type of
device and model meets the
international standards for
accurate blood pressure
measurement
* Endorsed by the Canadian Hypertension Society
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
34. Home measurement of blood pressure
A poster and instruction
sheets can be ordered at
the Heart and Stroke
Foundation offices or on-
line at:
http://hypertension.ca/bpc/
wp-
content/uploads/2008/03/bil
ingualposterorderform.pdf
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
35. Patient Instructions
Use a validated monitor
Correct cuff size
Accurate resting technique
Patient technique should be reviewed regularly
Duplicate measurements 1-2 min. apart
7 days after any Rx change or before a doctor’s
appointment
AM (before Rx) & PM (2 hrs. after dinner)
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
36. Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor
(ABPM)
Shows blood pressure pattern over a 24
hour period
Measures blood pressure through
oscillometric technology which depends on
the pulsatility in the brachial artery
Arm must stay motionless during inflation
and deflation
Less accurate at extremes of systolic and
diastolic blood pressure
36
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
37. Diurnal Pattern/Circadian Rhythm
Abnormalities in pattern are associated
with increased CV events
Dipping is good
Circadian rhythm of blood pressure is a >10%
fall in blood pressure during sleep
A non-dipping pattern is associated with
an increase risk of MI, stroke, dementia as
blood pressure remains elevated during
sleep
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
38. Benefits 24 hour ABPM
Provides large number of blood pressure readings outside
clinic setting
Helps determine the dynamic changes of blood pressure
throughout 24 hour period
Enables physician to adjust treatment appropriately to
prevent target organ complications
Rules out ‘White Coat’ hypertension
Used to aid in diagnosis of ‘Masked Hypertension’
Identifies ‘Dippers’ vs. ‘Non-dippers’
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
39. Take Home Message
To take accurate blood pressure readings you must
ensure:
1. Proper cuff size
2. Validated monitor
3. Accurate resting technique
Both in the doctor’s office and at home!
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
40. Blood Pressure
www.heartandstroke.ca/BP
To monitor home blood pressure and encourage self
management of lifestyle
www.hypertension.ca CHEP, 2009 Resources
Health Professional Resources:
o Diagnosis of hypertension
o Assessment
o Treatment
o Blood pressure measurement
Patient Resources: www.hypertension.ca/bpc
o How to take a proper blood pressure
o Home blood pressure monitors
o Patient education
2009 Canadian Hypertension Education Program Recommendations
41. Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care, updated 2008
www.canadianstrokestrategy.ca
Editor's Notes
REVIEW
The Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care developed 4 recommendations concerning assessment of blood pressure
Measure blood pressure at all health care encounters and at least once a year.
Use proper technique according to the CHEP guidelines for assessment of blood pressure.
If blood pressure is found to be elevated, a full assessment for diagnosis is to be followed according to the CHEP guidelines
Those patients with hypertension or at risk for hypertension will need counseling on life style modifications as well.
Sources:
Lindsay P, Bayley M, Hellings C, et al; Canadian Stroke Strategy Best Practices and Standards Writing Group on behalf of the Canadian Stroke Strategy, a joint initiative of the Canadian Stroke Network and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Canadian best practice recommendations for stroke care (updated 2008). CMAJ 2008;179:E1-E93.
REVIEW
Target blood pressure as defined by CHEP (we will review this in a minute)
Randomized control trials have not defined the optimal time for initiation of blood pressure lowering medications but recommend that for non disabling strokes and TIA who are not hospitalized, treatment be initiated or modified at first medical assessment.
The Canadian Best Practice Recommendations refer to the CHEP guidelines for specifics on agents and sequence of agents www.hypertension.ca/chep
Sources:
Lindsay P, Bayley M, Hellings C, et al; Canadian Stroke Strategy Best Practices and Standards Writing Group on behalf of the Canadian Stroke Strategy, a joint initiative of the Canadian Stroke Network and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Canadian best practice recommendations for stroke care (updated 2008). CMAJ 2008;179:E1-E93.
b)
The relationship between blood pressure and risk of CV events is continuous, consistent, and independent of other risk factors—the higher the blood pressure, the greater the CV risk
A)
Studies of treated and untreated pts show that there is a gradually increasing risk of CAD, stroke and CV mortality as the blood pressure pressure rises above 110/75mmHg with notable differences based upon age and comorbid conditions (UTD)
c)
There are 3 blood pressure measurements that CHEP refers to
Think about the last time you were at your fmd…
How was your blood pressure taken?
Were your feet dangling off the exam table? Were you allowed to rest quietly for 5 minutes?
Did you have a coffee on the way to the Doc office?
5 minutes for a resting blood pressure. Let’s look at what a resting blood pressure means
A casual blood pressure is a a blood pressure reading taken without patient preparation
A resting blood pressure is the BO that we should be using to make treatment decisions upon
A standing blood pressure is used to test for postural hypotension
Preparation of the person taking the blood pressure is important
Positioning yourself comfortably at eye level with the manometer using a well maintained stethoscope.
This list itemizing patient preparation is also very important as you will see later how blood pressure can be affected by different activities
Read slide
Patient posture is important
Read slide
Ask participants to respond with a show of hands how many people consider their posture when having their blood pressure taken or taking another persons
Aneroid devices should only be used if there is an established calibration check every 12 months.
Mercury remains the ‘GOLD’ standard
Must be at zero before beginning
Should be well maintained
Aneroid monometer must be calibrated every 6-12 months
Validated electronic devices can be used and should be calibrated yearly
blood pressureTRU is
The size of cuff matters.
Measure a patient’s arm circumference and tell the patient the reading and the cuff size …write it down for them.
Position
Locate the brachial pulse and centre the cuff bladder over it
Position cuff at the heart levelArm should be supported
Dimension
For automated devices, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
For manual readings using a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer, use the table as a guide.
Recommended blood pressure technique used in the office for initial visit.
Provides a patient baseline
This technique for taking a blood pressure reduces pain and excludes the possibility of the systolic auscultatory gap (explained in next slide)
This slide illustrates some errors that can be made in interpreting Korotkoff sounds.
Phase 1 or the first of consecutive clear tapping sounds should be used as systolic blood pressure and phase 5 or the last disappearance of sound should be used as diastolic blood pressure.
In people in whom Korotkoff sounds continue to zero mHg, the muffling of sound (phase 4) is used for diastolic blood pressure and the blood pressure is recorded as Sblood pressure/phase 4/0 mmHg to indicate the sounds continue to zero.
In a small number of people sound disappears during phase 2 Korotkoff sounds and this can lead to misinterpretation of blood pressure levels.
In the example in this slide sound disappears at 160 mmHg and reappears at 136 mmHg. Hence in this example 160 mmHg could be mistaken as the diastolic blood pressure or 136 could be mistaken as the systolic blood pressure.
It is recommended to inflate the cuff 30 mmHg above the palpated systolic blood pressure to avoid an auscultatory gap.
184 / 86 = correct
Auscultation is the common technique used by most people (Read slide)
Documentation when using this method
Record the blood pressure to the closest 2 mm Hg on the manometer (or 1 mm Hg on electronic devices)
Record the arm used
Record the position
Avoid digit preference by not rounding up or down
Record the heart rate and rhythm
White Coat hypertension: is a phenomenon in which patients have high blood pressure in a clinic setting but not in everyday life.
Masked hypertension: Elevated or awake ambulatory blood pressure with a normal office blood pressure
Both not identified by conventional blood pressure measurement routine. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can however diagnose these both (will talk about that in a few slides)
Risk associated with masked hypertension is higher as it is often missed unless using Home/24 hour
White coat hypertension – no need to treat but risk of developing True hypertension higher
Answer: D
Home blood pressure readings are beneficial in a number of situations.
Encourage hypertensive patients to use an approved blood pressure measuring device, cuff size and proper RESTING technique
Most patients can be trained but not all patients are suited to Home blood pressure Monitoring. Reasons not to use
Physical or mental impairment prevents accurate technique or recording
Arm not suited to blood pressure cuff (e.g. conical shaped arm)
Irregular pulse or arrhythmias prevent accurate readings
Lack of interest
For Home blood pressure monitoring we teach pts to use only validated monitors… see logo
With the correct size cuff – measurement (written down for patient and other health clinician reference
and proper technique… which is the same technique used in the office
A poster and instruction sheets can be ordered at the Heart and Stroke Foundation offices
Important instructions for the patients
For patients who need monitoring of blood pressure over a 24 hour period there is an ambulatory blood pressure monitor that can be rented in most locations
Patient instructed to maintain their regular daily activities
Use validated Automated, non-invasive device (SpaceLabs)
blood pressure Q 30 min (06-22)
blood pressure Q 60 min (22-06)
Extra readings can be taken as required
Use of a diary to indicate main activities
Cost varies
What you expect to see over the 24 hours is a normal healthy blood pressure pattern which include a fall in blood pressure of &gt; 10% during sleep.
Risk of stroke and other CV events increases in patients whose blood pressure does not fall during sleep.
The benefits of the 24 hour blood pressure are great for diagnosis of those not able to be diagnosed with normal blood pressure measurements.
For instance it rules out White Coat hypertension and Masked hypertension and helps to identify Dippers and Non Dippers.
Dipper means nocturnal fall of blood pressure throughout the night (this is healthy and normal)
Non Dipper: a patient’s whose blood pressure does not fall during sleep hours. This puts a patient at higher risk of stroke and CV events.