Hypertension and the DASH Diet

Flashcards covering the regulation of blood pressure, AHA categories, pathophysiology, and nutritional therapy via the DASH diet based on lecture notes.

What two factors determine blood pressure?

Cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in one minute) and peripheral vascular resistance.

How is cardiac output calculated according to the lecture notes?

$$\text{Cardiac output} = ext{heart rate} imes ext{stroke volume}$$

What is the definition of stroke volume?

The volume of blood ejected with each contraction of the left ventricle.

The degree of vascular resistance is dependent on what three factors?

The radius of the arterioles, the length of the vessel, and blood viscosity.

What are the criteria for the "NORMAL" blood pressure category?

Systolic less than $120\,mm\,Hg$ and diastolic less than $80\,mm\,Hg$.

How is the "ELEVATED" blood pressure category defined?

Systolic $120-129\,mm\,Hg$ and diastolic less than $80\,mm\,Hg$.

What are the blood pressure ranges for HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1?

Systolic $130-139\,mm\,Hg$ or diastolic $80-89\,mm\,Hg$.

What are the blood pressure ranges for HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2?

Systolic $140\,mm\,Hg$ or higher or diastolic $90\,mm\,Hg$ or higher.

What blood pressure readings indicate a HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS?

Systolic higher than $180\,mm\,Hg$ and/or diastolic higher than $120\,mm\,Hg$.

What is the difference between primary and secondary hypertension?

Primary (essential) hypertension is idiopathic and accounts for the majority of cases, while secondary hypertension occurs as a result of another primary problem.

What are the two primary goals of medical treatment for hypertension?

1. Reduction in the risk of cardiovascular and renal disease. 2. Reduction in BP to < 120/80 for the general population under age $60$.

According to UpToDate, what are the three major options for initial antihypertensive drug therapy?

Thiazide-type diuretics, Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and Calcium channel blockers.

What does DASH stand for in the DASH diet?

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

The DASH dietary pattern is specifically rich in which four nutrients?

Potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fiber.

What are the daily sodium limits for the Standard and Lower sodium DASH diets?

Standard DASH diet: $2,300\,mg$ of sodium a day; Lower sodium DASH diet: $1,500\,mg$ of sodium a day.

What is the estimated average sodium intake in United States adults according to NHANES data?

Approximately $3600\,mg/day$.

DASH diet is low in

sweets, sugary drinks, red meats