Hypertension

1. Epidemiology

1.1. Most common primary diagnosis in the United States 1 in 3 Americans has hypertension Occurs in children and is being increasingly diagnosed

2. Clinical Presentation

2.1. Headaches, fatigue, dizziness,

2.2. MI, Heart failure, strokes, hypertensive encephalopathy, renal failure

3. Treatment

3.1. Based on the severity of the B/P Lifestyle modifications: exercise, weight loss, healthy diet, stoop smoking and reducing sodium intake Pharmacological treatment used to reduce organ damage/prevent other diseases such as MI or Stroke

4. Pathophysiology

4.1. An increase in peripheral resistance and in circulating blood or both

5. Diagnosis

5.1. Blood pressure on two different occasions (specific requirements) Diagnostic tests: 24 hour B/P monitoring, blood tests, urinalysis, biochemical blood profile, ECG and H&P