Cardiovascular disease

Published on 05/05/2015 by admin

Filed under Internal Medicine

Last modified 22/04/2025

Print this page

rate 1 star rate 2 star rate 3 star rate 4 star rate 5 star
Your rating: none, Average: 0 (0 votes)

This article have been viewed 1530 times

13 Cardiovascular disease

Questions

Answers

Answer 20

Atrioventricular (AV) block is a block in either the AV node or in bundle of His, which means that impulses do not reach the ventricle during normal sinus rhythm or sinus tachycardia. The different types of block are seen on the ECG.

Answer 93

The diastolic pressure is of critical value and until fairly recently was the main target of treatment. This was because the diastolic pressure does not vary as much as the systolic and therefore clear guidance could be given that patients with a diastolic pressure 100mmHg should be treated; this value is now more usually 90mmHg. Recently, it has been realized that the systolic pressure is as important in the production of complications – both cerebrovascular and cardiac events.

Isolated systolic hypertension occurs frequently in the elderly 160mmHg and needs treatment (Table 13.1).

Table 13.1 British Hypertension Society classification of blood pressure levels

Category Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Blood pressure
Optimal <120 <80
Normal <130 <85
High normal 130–139 85–89
Hypertension
Grade 1 (mild) 140–159 90–99
Grade 2 (moderate) 160–179 100–109
Grade 3 (severe) >180 >110
Isolated systolic hypertension
Grade 1 140–149 <90
Grade 2 >160 <90

The classification equates with those of the European Society of Hypertension and the World Health Organization International Society of Hypertension and is based on clinical blood pressure and not values for ambulatory blood pressure measurement. Threshold blood pressure levels for the diagnosis of hypertension using self/home monitoring are greater than 135/85 mmHg. For ambulatory monitoring, 24-h values are greater than 125/80 mmHg. If systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure fall into different categories, the higher value should be taken for classification.