JNC VII
•The seventh report of Joint National
Committee (of USA) on prevention, detection,
evaluation and treatment of high BP
Classification
Systolic pressureDiastolic pressure
mmHg mmHg
Normal 90–119 60–79
Prehypertension120–139 80–89
Stage 1 140–159 90–99
Stage 2 ≥160 ≥100
Isolated systolic
hypertension
≥140 <90
Source: American Heart Association (2003).
[5]
JNC VII
•Individuals older than 50 years are classified
as having hypertension if their blood pressure
is consistently at least 140
mmHg systolic or
90
mmHg diastolic.
•Patients with blood pressures higher than
130/80
mmHg with concomitant presence of
diabetes mellitus or kidney disease require
further treatment.
[5]
Regulation
•CO X PVR
•Physiologically maintained by moment to
moment regulation of the above product
exerted at: Arterioles, postcapillary venules,
the heart and the kidneys
Regulation
•Baro-receptors and the Sympathetic Nervous
System:
–Carotid baro receptors: Stimulated by stretching of the
blood vessel wall by internal BP
–Normally send inhibitory impulses to the vasomotor
centre (VMC)
–Fall in BP causes carotid baro receptors to send fewer
inhibitory impulses to the VMC increasing sympathetic
activity to the heart ( CO) as well as arteriolar
vasoconstriction and vasoconstriction of venules
Regulation
• venous return, thus leads to restoration of
normal BP
•The baro-reflex acts in response to:
a.Changes in posture
b.in PVR due to secondary vasodilators
c. intravascular volume due to low sodium diet,
diuretics, blood loss and CCF
Regulation
•Renin- Angiotensin System:
•By controlling blood volume, the kidney is responsible
for long term BP control. Occurs through:
•Renal perfusion pressure renal salt & water re
absorption
• Pressure in renal arterioles renin. This results
in the formation of angiotensin II
vasoconstriction, NE & secretion of aldosterone
BP
Diuretics
•Diuretics BP by reducing sodium stores and
reducing blood volume
•Monotherapy in mild-moderate hypertension
•Combined with sympatholytics or vasodilators
in severe hypertension ( salt and water
retention induced by these agents)
Diuretics
•Thiazides are diuretics of choice:
–Effective at low doses e.g. hydrochlorothiazide 12.5
mg/day
–Usually combined with spironolactone (potassium)
–May also be combined with ACE and ARBs
–Recommended in elderly
•Loop diuretics are used if there is co-existing:
–Chronic renal failure
–CCF
–Resistance to combination therapy
Beta – Adrenoreceptor Blockers
•Effective for all grades
•Do not produce postural hypotension
•Do not produce salt and water retention
•Used in combination with vasodilators in
severe hypertension to prevent reflex
tachycardia
•Recommended in Young non-obese
Beta – Adrenoreceptor Blockers
•Propranolol: non-selective β blocker
•Atenolol: Selective β blocker
•Carvedilol: β blocker with additional α
1-
blocking effect
•Labetalol: used IV for hypertensive
emergencies
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
•Reduction of plasma Ang II causing arteriolar
and venular vasodilatation
•Reduction of aldosterone
•Preservation of kinins which are vasodilators
•Also prevents myocardial hypertrophy and
remodeling following myocardial infarction
•Most appropriate for patients with: diabetes,
nephropathy, Left ventricular hypertrophy,
angina, post MI
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
A.Vascular Effects:
oReduce PVR
oNatriuresis
oMinimal change in CO or heart rate (do not
induce reflex tachycardia due to blunting of
sympathetic reflexes (Inhibit Ang II-induced NE
release)
oNo postural hypotension
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
B. Cardiac Effects:
–Arteriolar dilatation
– renovascular resistance ( renovascular
vasoconstriction due to Ang II) --- renal blood
flow
– aldosterone secretion
–Venodilatation-- preload (natriuresis and
preload --- filling pressures ---- improved
pulmonary and venous congestion)
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
–Reversal of ventricular remodelling through:
– In preload and after load
–Preventing the trophic effects on Ang II on
myocytes
–Attenuating aldosterone- induced cardiac fibrosis
C. Cerebral and coronary blood flow is well
maintained
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
•Advantages:
1.No change in heart rate
2.No metabolic adverse effects:
–Do not alter blood uric acid levels or cholesterol
levels
–Improve glucose tolerance and diabetic
nephropathy
3.Regression of ventricular hypertrophy
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
•Therapeutic uses:
1.Hypertension:
–Essential hypertension: first line drug as
monotherapy in mild to moderate hypertension or
combined with diuretics, CCBs or β blockers
–Hypertension with diabetes: 1
st
choice
–Hypertension with CCF: combined with a diuretic
–High renin hypertension e.g. unilateral renal
artery stenosis
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
2. CCF:
–Delay progress of heart failure
–Improve quality of life of the patient
3. Following myocardial infarction:
–Start therapy immediately after infarction
–Preserve left ventricular function and
remodeling
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
•ADRs:
–First dose hypotension (Start with low dose)
–Skin rash
–Persistent dry cough
–Temporary loss of taste
–Proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome in patients
with renal disease
–Neutropenia (Rare but serious)
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Inhibitors
•Drug Interactions;
•K+ supplements and K+ sparing diuretics---
hyperkalaemia
•NSAIDs ---- antihypertensive effects of ACEIs
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
(ARBs)
•More complete inhibition of the effect of Ang
II
•No effect on bradykinin metabolism
•losartan
•ADRs:
–Foetopathic
–Severe hypotension in hypovolemic patients
–Hyperkalaemia in patients with renal disease
Ca Channel Blockers
•Vascular Effects:
–Relax arterial smooth muscles:
–Dihydropyridines > Verapamil > Diltiazem
•Cardiac Effects:
i.Effect on myocardial contractility:
–All CCBs produce a negative inotropic effect:
–Verapamil > Dilitiazem
–Dihydropyridines relax vascular smooth muscles at
lower concentrations than those required to induce
negative inotropism.
Ca Channel Blockers
•This results in reflex sympathetic activation
overcoming their negative inotropic effect
• contractilty & vasodilatation BP work
done by the heart
ii.Effect on AV nodal conduction:
o Verapamil & Diltiazem HR & AV conduction
o Nifedipine has no effect on AV conduction
Ca Channel Blockers
•Preferable in elderly hypertensives
•Effective in low renin hypertension (With no
HF and no volume depletion)
Vasodilators
I.Hydralazine:
•Molecular mechanism not known
•Used in severe hypertension
•Cannot be used as monotherapy due to
development of tachyphylaxis
• HR CO (has to be combined with β-
blockers)
•Fluid retention (has to be combined with a
diuretic)
Vasodilators
II. Minoxidil: Arteriolar dilator
Opens K+ channels in smooth muscle
membranes
Alternative to hydralazine when maximal
doses of hydralazine are not effective
Used in combination with diuretics & β
blockers to avoid tachphylaxis
Topical minoxidil is used as a hair growth
stimulant in alopecia
Vasodilators
III. Na
+
nitroprusside:
Sensitive to light: solution is freshly prepared
and covered with opaque foil
Rapidly metabolized by uptake into RBCs with
liberation of cyanide
Vasodilators
Toxicity:
•Accumulation of cyanide: metabolic acidosis,
excessive hypotension, arrythmias,
methaemoglobinemia
•Treatment of cyanide toxicity:
hydroxycobalamine & sodium thiosulfate
Vasodilators
IV. Diazoxide:
•Opens K+ channels & stabilizes membrane
potential
•Similar to thiazide but has no diuretic effect
•Given by IV infusion 15 mg/min until BP
controlled
V. Fenoldopam:
o Arteriolar dilator for hypertensive emergencies
o D
1
agonist
Choice of Antihypertensive
•Hypertensive Emergencies:
–Frusemide IV, Na+ nitroprusside IV infusion,
diazoxide IV, labetalol IV
•Hypertension and Heart Failure:
–ACE (-)s, Diuretics
– CCBs are contraindicated
Choice of Antihypertensive
•Hypertension in Pregnancy:
–Methyldopa, β blockers, hydralazine
–ACEIs (teratogenic) & diuretics (volume depletion
are contraindicated)
•Hypertension and PVD:
–CCBs, diuretics
–β blockers are contraindicated --- vasospasms
Choice of Antihypertensive
•Hypertension & IHD:
–CCBs, β blockers (except in variant’s angina)
•Hypertension and Diabetes:
–ACEIs (favorable effect on sugar & lipids), Selective
α
1 blockers
–β blockers & diuretics are contraindicated –
glucose intolerance