Hypertension and Blood Pressure Management

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the mechanisms of blood pressure regulation, classifications of hypertension, and primary antihypertensive agent classes.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.

Systolic pressure

The maximum pressure occurring during systole, or contraction, of the ventricles.

Diastolic pressure

The pressure occurring during diastole, the period of relaxation and filling of the ventricles.

Baroreceptors

Receptors located in the Aortic Arch and Carotid Arteries that mediate blood pressure reflexes.

Peripheral Chemoreceptors

Receptors sensitive to hypoxemia that, when stimulated, cause vasoconstriction and an increase in BP.

Central Chemoreceptors

Receptors in the brain sensitive to hypercapnia; they are $10\times$ stronger than peripheral chemoreceptors.

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

Hormones secreted from the Adrenal Glands that stimulate the SYMPATHETIC NS to increase HR and cause peripheral vasoconstriction.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter stimulated by the PARASYMPATHETIC NS that causes a decrease in HR and vasodilation of arteries.

Normal Blood Pressure

Defined as a Systolic BP $< 120$ and Diastolic BP $< 80$.

Elevated Blood Pressure

Defined as a Systolic BP of $120-129$ and a Diastolic BP $< 80$.

Stage 1 Hypertension

Defined as a Systolic BP of $130-139$ or a Diastolic BP of $80-89$.

Stage 2 Hypertension

Defined as a Systolic BP $\text{≥} 140$ or a Diastolic BP $\text{≥} 90$.

Hypertensive (malignant) Crisis

A severe increase in blood pressure categorized by levels $> 180/120$.

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

The force opposing the movement of blood within blood vessels, determined by the radius of small arteries and arterioles.

Primary (Essential) Hypertension

High blood pressure associated with risk factors such as age $> 60$ years, family history, obesity, and high intake of sodium or caffeine.

Secondary Hypertension

Hypertension caused by underlying conditions such as Renal disease, Primary aldosteronism, Pheochromocytoma, or Cushing's syndrome.

Diuretics

First-line medication classes (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide) that reduce blood volume through the excretion of water.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Medications such as Diltiazem, Amlodipine, and Verapamil that inhibit $Ca^{++}$ from entering cells, reducing muscular contraction and relaxing smooth muscle.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ending in -pril) that prevent the conversion of Angiotensin II and may cause a side effect of a dry cough.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Medications ending in -sartan (e.g., Losartan) that block receptors for angiotensin II, with side effects including hyperkalemia and hypotension.

Beta Blockers

Medications ending in -lol (e.g., Metoprolol) that decrease HR and contractility; nurses should hold the dose if BP $< 100$ Systolic or HR $< 60$.