Hypertension
How to treat MILD hypertension
As a cardiovascular pharmacist, you will hear debate about when to start drugs in patients with MILD hypertension, systolic blood pressure (BP) 140 to 159 mmHg or diastolic 90 to 99 mmHg. The latest analysis questions whether BP drugs benefit stage 1 or mild hypertension. It suggests that only one cardiovascular (CV) event is prevented for ever…
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Hypertension Medications
Bedtime hypertension treatment and improving cardiovascular outcomes
There will be renewed debate about whether taking blood pressure medications at bedtime improves CV outcomes. The idea behind this “chronotherapy” is to combat the morning blood pressure rise or help patients whose blood pressure doesn’t “dip” at night like it should. Now evidence suggests that cardiovascular risk is lower if patients take at least one of their once-…
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SNRIs
Medications and supplements induced hypertension
Patients are often surprised when they learn they're taking medications that can INCREASE blood pressure or induced hypertension (HTN) . Check for common culprits if patients have new or worsening high blood pressure. Explain that most patients won't have a significant blood pressure increase with these medications, but some could see a 5 to 10 mmHg bump in s…
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Hypertension
Be ready to manage patients with very high blood pressure
What should you do when patients report a very high blood pressure (BP) reading on a home monitor or pharmacy? Don't automatically refer to the emergency department (ED) for a blood pressure above 180/120 mmHg. Advise promptly rechecking BP, and ensure proper technique, sit quietly for 5 minutes, appropriate cuff size, feet on the floor, etc. And shift the foc…
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