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BASICS

STAGES OF CHANGE

MEDICATIONS

NUTRITION

TAI CHI & MEDITATION

WHAT DO YOU DO?

CASE SCENARIO

basic information about hypertension

Exactly what does systolic pressure and diastolic pressure mean?

Can you CORRECTLY measure BP?

REMINDERS:

  • Do NOT use automated machines to measure BP 
  • Use appropriate size cuff (pediatric/small, regular, large)
  • Palpate for and apply stethoscope OVER brachial artery

HTN among USA adults:

HTN among USA adults:

  • Nearly 1 out of 2 (45% or 116 million) has HTN 
  • 35% (92.1 million) do not have it under control 
  • 13% (33.6 million) who are already treated with medication   may need dosage increased or prescribed additional medications 
  • 13% (34.1 million) are  untreated

Risk factors for HTN:

HTN among USA adults:

  • Advanced age
  • African-American ethnicity
  • Alcohol, excessive
  • Chronic diseases (diabetes, chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol)
  • Genetic predisposition
  • High fat, high sodium diet
  • Male 
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Tobacco use

HTN increases risk of:

HTN increases risk of:

  • Heart Failure
  • Myocardial Infarction (MI)
  • Stroke (CVA)
  • Aneurysm 
  • Death (Fryar et al, 2012)

"THE SILENT KILLER"

BASICS

STAGES OF CHANGE

MEDICATIONS

NUTRITION

TAI CHI & MEDITATION

WHAT DO YOU DO?

CASE SCENARIO

STAGES OF CHANGE

Examples of Patient Statements:

Incognizance

Patient says, "I don't need to take the blood pressure pills my doctor gave me because I feel fine without them!"

Contemplation & Preparation

Patient says, "Well, I suppose I should go to see my doctor because when I was in the supermarket yesterday and measured my blood pressure it was pretty high'

Action & Compliance

Patient says, "Okay, I just took my first blood pressure pill my doctor prescribed and I've promised my wife to take one every morning, just like my doctor told me to do!"

Lapse

Patient says, "I forgot my blood pressure pill this morning. I'm going to call my doctor and ask if I should just take it now or wait until tomorrow morning."

Relapse

Patient says, "I've been feeling good, so I haven't taken my blood pressure pill for a few days now."

Permanent Compliance

Patient says, "I have been taking my blood pressure medication just as my doctor has instructed me for ten years now - and I have no intention to ever stop unless he tells me to stop!"

BASICS

STAGES OF CHANGE

MEDICATIONS

NUTRITION

TAI CHI & MEDITATION

WHAT DO YOU DO?

CASE SCENARIO

MEDICATIONS FOR HTN & patient compliance

Types of Anti-HTN Medications

Diuretics - Beta Blockers - Calcium channel blockers - Angiotensin covering enzyme inhibitors - Angiotensin II receptor blockers (Oparil et al, 2018)

Reference

Diuretics - 'Water Pills"

They help the kidneys release more sodium into the urine, which removes more water from the blood and decreases the amount of fluid flowing through the veins and arteries, which reduces blood pressure. Examples:

  • Aldactone (spironolactone)
  • Bumex (bumetanide)
  • Demadex (torsemide)
  • Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide)
  • Lasix (furosemide)
  • Zaroxolyn (metolazone)

Diuretics for HTN - the FIRST LINE medication

Beta Blockers

They block the effects of adrenaline (a hormone that triggers fight-or-flight response when stressed), which reduces HR and stroke volume so the heart does not have work as hard. They also relax blood vessels (so blood flows better). It may be combined with other anti-HTN meds. 

Examples: 

  • Acebutolol(Sectral)
  • Atenolol(Tenormin)
  • Betaxolol(Kerlone)
  • Bisoprolol(Zebeta, Ziac)
  • Carteolol(Cartrol)
  • Carvedilol(Coreg)
  • Labetalol(Normodyne, Trandate)
  • Metoprolol(Lopressor, Toprol-XL)
  • Nadolol(Corgard)
  • Nebivolol(Bystolic)
  • Penbutolol(Levatol)
  • Pindolol(Visken)
  • Propanolol(Inderal)
  • Sotalol(Betapace)
  • Timolol(Blocadren)

Beta Blockers for HTN

Calcium Channel Blockers

They relax the muscles that control the arteries.  Vasodilator test required and first doses in the hospital to ensure safe dose is determined.

Examples: 

  • Amlodipine (Amlodipine )
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others)
  • Felodipine
  • Isradipine
  • Nicardipine
  • Nifedipine (Procardia) 
  • Nisoldipine (Sular)
  • Verapamil (Calan SR, Verelan)

Calcium Channel Blockers for HTN

Angiotensin Covering Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

They cause the relaxation of blood vessels and a decrease in blood volume, which lead to lower BP and decreased oxygen demand from the heart. They are used to treat HTN and heart failure. 

Examples:

  • Benazepril (Lotensin)
  • Captopril (Capoten)
  • Enalapril/Enalaprilat (Vasotec oral and injectable)
  • Fosinopril (Monopril)
  • Lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil)
  • Moexipril (Univasc)
  • Perindopril (Aceon)
  • Quinapril (Accupril)
  • Ramipril (Altace)

ACE Inhibitors for HTN

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Often used when patients are intolerant of the adverse effects produced by ACE inhibitors. 

Examples:

  • Azilsartan (Edarbi)
  • Candesartan (Atacand)
  • Eprosartan
  • Irbesartan (Avapro)
  • Losartan (Cozaar)
  • Olmesartan (Benicar)
  • Telmisartan (Micardis)
  • Valsartan (Diovan)

ARBs for HTN

Importance of Compliance

Are they taking their anti-HTN medication as prescribed? If not, tell them to follow the instructions of their MD (e.g., can just read the bottle)

Medication should keep BP WNL

Is BP still too high and/or is it ever too low?  If not WNL, notify MD

Adverse side effects?

Are they have any adverse effects from the medication? Obtain details and report to MD

Teaching patients about their Anti-Htn medications

Importance of Compliance

Are they taking their anti-HTN medication as prescribed? If not, tell them to follow the instructions of their MD (e.g., can just read the bottle)

Medication should keep BP WNL

Is BP still too high and/or is it ever too low?  If not WNL, notify MD

Adverse side effects?

Are they have any adverse effects from the medication? Obtain details and report to MD


BASICS

STAGES OF CHANGE

MEDICATIONS

NUTRITION

TAI CHI & MEDITATION

WHAT DO YOU DO?

CASE SCENARIO

NUTRITION

DASH DIET

Rich in fruits, vegetables, and low in salt. It also includes mostly whole grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, and beans

Guidelines: 

  • ~ 55% carbs, ~ 18% protein
  • No more than 27% total fat, 6% saturated fat, and 150 mg cholesterol 
  • No more than 1500 mg sodium for those who are middle-aged and older, African Americans, or have HTN 

Lock et al (2018) Diets for health: goals and guidelines. American Family Physician.

Compared to a control group, the DASH diet reduced systolic BP by 3.2 mm Hg and diastolic BP by 2.5 mm Hg (in those with HTN

Filippou et al (2020) Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and blood pressure reduction in adults with and without hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

One study found (compared to a control group) the DASH diet reduced systolic BP by 5.2 mm Hg and diastolic BP by 2.6 mm Hg (in those with HTN

Siervo et al (2014) Effects of the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet on cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

nutrition - Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet (WFPBD)

Only unprocessed foods from the plant kingdom - no processed foods from the plant kingdom (e.g. French fries) and no foods from the animal kingdom. 

Campbell et al (1998) Diet, lifestyle, and the etiology of coronary artery disease: the Cornell China study. American Journal of Cardiology.

Vegetarians (those who eat a plant-based diet) - and especially those who eat only the WFPB diet - have lower blood pressure

Pettersen et al (2012) Vegetarian diets and blood pressure among white subjects: results from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) Public Health Nutrition.
Fraser et al (2015) Vegetarian diets and cardiovascular risk factors in black members of the Adventist Health Study-2. Public Health Nutrition.

BASICS

STAGES OF CHANGE

MEDICATIONS

NUTRITION

TAI CHI & MEDITATION

WHAT DO YOU DO?

CASE SCENARIO


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