Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Factors that influence blood pressure include heart rate, sympathetic nervous system activity, vasoconstriction/vasodilation, and fluid volume regulated by the renin-angiotensin and aldosterone systems. Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, following the DASH diet, reducing sodium intake, limiting alcohol, and regular exercise are first-line treatment recommendations for controlling hypertension before starting drug therapy.

1. Hypertension
Hanna K. Al-Makhamreh, MD FACC
Interventional Cardiology

2. Factors Influencing Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure = Cardiac Output x
Systemic Vascular
Resistance

3. Factors Influencing BP
• Hear rate
• Sympathatic/Parasympathatic
• Vasoconstriction/vasodilation
• Fluid volume
– Renin-angiotensin
– Aldosterone
– ADH

4. Hypertension
Definition
• Hypertension is sustained elevation of BPHypertension is sustained elevation of BP
– Systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg
– Diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg

5. Blood Pressure Classification
BPBP ClassificationClassification SBP mmHgSBP mmHg DBP mmHgDBP mmHg
NormalNormal < 120 and< 120 and < 80< 80
Pre-hypertension*Pre-hypertension* 120-139 or120-139 or 80-8980-89
Stage 1 HypertensionStage 1 Hypertension 140-159 or140-159 or 90-9990-99
Stage 2 HypertensionStage 2 Hypertension >> 160 or160 or >> 100100
*newly recognized, requiring*newly recognized, requiring
lifestyle modificationslifestyle modifications

6. Hypertension
• For persons over age 50, SBP is more
important than DBP as a CVD risk
factor
• Starting at 115/75 mmHg, CVD risk
doubles with each increment of 20/10
mmHg throughout the BP range

7. Classification of Hypertension
• Primary (Essential) HypertensionPrimary (Essential) Hypertension
-- Elevated BP with unknown causeElevated BP with unknown cause
- 90% to 95% of all cases- 90% to 95% of all cases
• Secondary HypertensionSecondary Hypertension
- Elevated BP with a specific cause- Elevated BP with a specific cause
- 5% to 10% in adults- 5% to 10% in adults

8. Classification of Hypertension
• Primary Hypertension
- Contributing factors:
• ↑ Sympathatic NS activity
• ↑ Periphral Vascular Resistence

9. Classification of Hypertension
• Secondary Hypertension
- Contributing factors:
• Coarctation of aorta
• Renal disease
• Endocrine disorders
• Neurologic disorders
- Rx: Treat underlying cause

10. Risk Factors for Primary
Hypertension
• Age (> 55 for men; > 65 for women)
• Alcohol
• Cigarette smoking
• Diabetes mellitus
• Elevated serum lipids
• Excess dietary sodium
• Gender

11. Risk Factors for Primary
Hypertension
• Family history
• Obesity (BMI > 30)
• Ethnicity (African Americans)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Socioeconomic status
• Stress

12. Hypertension
Clinical Manifestations
• Frequently asymptomatic until severeFrequently asymptomatic until severe
and target organ disease has occurredand target organ disease has occurred
– Fatigue, reduced activity tolerance
– Dizziness
– Palpitations, angina
– Dyspnea

13. Hypertension: Complications
• Complications are
primarily related to
development of
atherosclerosis
(“hardening of
arteries”), or fatty
deposits that harden
with age

14. Hypertension
Complications
The common complications areThe common complications are
target organ diseases occurring in thetarget organ diseases occurring in the
HeartHeart
BrainBrain
KidneyKidney
EyesEyes

15. Hypertension
Complications
Hypertensive Heart Disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Left ventricular hypertrophy
• Heart failure

16. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Fig. 32-3

17. Hypertension
Complications
 Cerebrovascular Disease
• Stroke
 Peripheral Vascular Disease
 Nephrosclerosis
 Retinal Damage

18. Hypertension
Diagnosis
• Diagnosis requires two reading at two
different clinic visits
• BP measurement in both arms
- Use arm with higher reading for
subsequent measurements
Measure BP following 5min of rest in the
sitting position with good back support

19. Hypertension
Diagnosis
• Ambulatory BP Monitoring
– For “white coat” phenomenon, hypotensive or
hypertensive episodes, apparent drug resistance

20. Treatment Goals
• Goal is to reduce overall cardiovascular
risk factors and control
– Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and
every one less than age 60 BP < 140/90
– For those 60 years and older < 150/90

21. Benefits of Lowering BP
Average Percent Reduction
Stroke incidence 35–40%
Myocardial infarction 20–25%
Heart failure 50%

22. Hypertension
• Lifestyle Modifications
- Weight reduction
- Dietary changes (DASH diet)
- Limitation of alcohol intake (< 2 drinks/day for men;
< 1/day for women)
- Regular physical activity
- Avoidance of tobacco use
- Stress management

23. Hypertension
• Nutritional Therapy: DASH Diet =
Dietary Approahes to Stop HTN
- Sodium restriction
- Rich in vegetables, fruit, and nonfat
dairy products
- Calorie restriction if overweight

24. Hypertension
• Drug Therapy
- Reduce Systemic Vascular Resistence
- Decrease volume of circulating blood