After completing this course you’ll be able to:
| 1. | Discuss systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the treatment. |
| 2. | State the optimal blood pressure in an adult. |
| 3. | Discuss “prehypertension.” |
| 4. | State when treatment for hypertension should begin. |
| 5. | Define “white-coat” hypertension. |
| 6. | Describe “non-dippers.” |
| 7. | Discuss weight loss techniques. |
| 8. | Discuss sodium restriction and define those who are “salt sensitive.” |
| 9. | Discuss dietary supplementation of potassium. |
| 10. | Describe exercise techniques, relaxation programs, and biofeedback to reduce blood pressure. |
| 11. | Discuss a follow-up program for hypertension. |
| 12. | Discuss the suggested approach to manage a patient with an initial blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or greater. (Table 4.2) |
| 13. | Discuss findings of ALLHAT and CONVINCE trials. |
| 14. | Describe the J-shaped curve. |
| 15. | Discuss the guidelines from 1999 regarding the World Health Organization International Society of Hypertension. |
| 16. | Describe the four classifications of diuretics and give an example of each. |
| 17. | Discuss the physiological effects of diuretics according to Figure 5.3. |
| 18. | Discuss side effects that occur with diuretics. |
| 19. | State the type of patient where loop diuretics are most effective. |
| 20. | Describe the ACE inhibitors and how they lower blood pressure. |
| 21. | Discuss the HOPE and HOPE-TOO study. |
| 22. | Discuss the Swedish Trial in Old Patients With Hypertension2. |
| 23. | Describe the ALLHAT trial and findings. |
| 24. | List side effects of ACE inhibitors. |
| 25. | State the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors in various populations and in those with renovascular disease. |
| 26. | Discuss how angiotensin 11 receptor blockers lower blood pressure. |
| 27. | Describe nitric oxide. |
| 28. | Discuss the use of angiotensin receptor blockers in the diabetic patient. |
| 29. | Discuss the role of renin in the hypertensive patient. |
| 30. | Discuss how calcium blockers lower blood pressure. |
| 31. | Compare the nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and the dihydropyrididine channel blockers. |
| 32. | Describe the Hypertension Optimal Treatment Trial. |
| 33. | Compare side effects of the shorter-acting and longer-acting calcium channel blockers. |
| 34. | Discuss the Anglo Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial. |
| 35. | List the conditions in which B-blockers would exacerbate a medical problem. |
| 36. | Describe the ways B-blockers lower blood pressure. |
| 37. | Discuss lipid soluable B-blockers and give examples. |
| 38. | Discuss the patients for which B-blockers are particularly effective. |
| 39. | List several side effects of B-blockers. |
| 40. | List the three combinations of B-blockers with vasodilating properties and side effects. |
| 41. | List the three selective a1-blockers available in the United States and their action on smooth muscle. |
| 42. | Discuss the peripheral adrenergic inhibitors including why they are seldom used. |
| 43. | List the available central agonists and how they lower blood pressure. |
| 44. | Discuss side effects of central agonists. |
| 45. | Discuss the two drugs that are direct vasodilators and their side effects. |
| 46. | Describe the characteristics of an ideal medication for initial therapy. |
| 47. | List several guidelines in selecting a step-1 drug. |
| 48. | Discuss multiple drug therapy. |
| 49. | Discuss causes for nonresponsiveness to therapy. |
| 50. | Discuss several studies describing better management of hypertension and the reduction in complications. |