The prevalence and causes of hypertension
Chapter 1The prevalence and causes of hypertension OVERVIEW The distribution of blood pressure in the general population is as a continuous variable forming a roughly normal of ‘Gaussian’ curve, with…
Hypertension, pregnancy and the oral contraceptives
Chapter 13Hypertension, pregnancy and the oral contraceptives OVERVIEW The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are becoming common as many women are now opting to start their family at a later age,…
Special groups; diabetes mellitus, renal disease, renal artery stenosis and connective tissue diseases
Chapter 11Special groups; diabetes mellitus, renal disease, renal artery stenosis and connective tissue diseases OVERVIEW Patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes are at more than twice the risk of…
Investigation in patients with hypertension
Chapter 7Investigation in patients with hypertension OVERVIEW Patients who have been diagnosed as having hypertension need detailed clinical assessment. Clinical assessment has three functions: — Identification of the severity of…
Screening and management in primary care
Chapter 5Screening and management in primary care OVERVIEW As hypertension in usually a symptomless risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, it frequently goes undiagnosed until a late stage in…
The pharmacological treatment of hypertension and endovascular renal sympathetic denervation
Chapter 9The pharmacological treatment of hypertension and endovascular renal sympathetic denervation OVERVIEW Antihypertensive drug therapy causes a 40% reduction in strokes and a 20% reduction in coronary events. They also…
Pathophysiology of hypertension
Chapter 3Pathophysiology of hypertension OVERVIEW The height of the blood pressure in maintained by the interplay between the cardiac output and the total peripheral vascular resistance. Cardiac output is usually…
Blood pressure measurement
Chapter 4Blood pressure measurement Part I: Factors influencing all techniques of blood pressure measurement OVERVIEW Hypertension can only be diagnosed by measurement and the device used to measure blood pressure…
Hypertension and vascular risk
Chapter 2Hypertension and vascular risk OVERVIEW Malignant or accelerated hypertension is a rare form of very severe hypertension usually associated with bilateral retinal haemorrhages, cotton wool spots and hard exudates…
Ethnicity, age and hypertension
Chapter 12Ethnicity, age and hypertension OVERVIEW In both developed and developing countries, hypertension is common in people of African origin than in those of South Asian or European origin. African…
