An Osteopathic Cardiologist's Review of Hypertension: Beyond the Fifth
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An osteopathic cardiologists review of hypertension: Beyond The Fifth Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure ALICIA M. WILLIAMS, DO Although hypertension was Enough large 1-to-1 scale epidemiologic defined more than 100 years ago, it remains studies have proved the benefit of treatment the leading cause of office visits and use for hypertension (Framingham, pooling project, of prescription drugs. Because hyperten- and actuarial data).-8 Now, the medical com- sion is one of the major risk factors for pre- munity has attempted to address the impor- mature death and disability, the medical tant clinical differences in various subgroups community continues to strive toward more of the hypertensive population. Gender, race, aggressive detection, follow-up, and treat- age, and concomitant illness all need to be con- ment. The Fifth Report of the Joint Nation- sidered. The treatment of hypertension has al Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and evolved from a cookbook "stepped-care" approach Treatment of High Blood Pressure provides to a complex array of individual variables, mak- an excellent guide for all health practi- ing an organized approach to a hypertensive tioners. This publication, along with several patient imperative. recent articles, have provided a compre- The Fifth Report of the Joint National Com- hensive approach to the hypertensive mittee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment patient. Although cerebrovascular events of High Blood Pressure (JNC-5) 7 has redefined have been dramatically reduced by the the classification and follow-up of hypertension. treatment of hypertension, results regard- The previous guidelines included "mild" hyper- ing cardiac morbidity and mortality have tension, which now is listed as stage 1 (Tables been disappointing. Therefore, from a car- 1 and 2). The prior description of "mild" hyper- diologists standpoint, the concept of car- tension included a population of patients at sig- dioprotection has evolved into an important nificant risk. Almost 60% of excess risk associ- component in the treatment of the hyper- ated with hypertension in the population as a tensive patient. whole occurs among those with diastolic blood (Key words: Hypertension, outpatient pressure (DBP) between 90 and 104 mm Hg.8 blood pressure monitoring, renin, J-curve, Importantly, the risk of stroke is increased even cardioprotection) in patients with mild hypertension. Drug treatment clearly has been shown to reduce risk of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) Dr Williams is staff cardiologist, Borgess and Bronson by 35% to 40%. 6 A recent article in the New Hospitals, Kalamazoo, Mich. England Journal of Medicine 9 demonstrated Supported in part by an educational grant from Merck that patients with borderline systolic hyper- Co., Inc. Correspondence to Alicia Williams, DO, Cardiology Care, tension in the Framingham study th had a sig- PC, Medical Specialties Bldg, 1535 Gull Rd, Suite 105, nificant increase in cardiovascular morbidity Kalamazoo, MI 49001. and mortality. This was also confirmed by the Review article • Williams JAOA • Vol 94 • No 10 • October 1994 • 833 Table 1 Classification of Blood Pressure for Adults Aged 18 Years and Older"` Blood pressure, mm Hg Category Systolic Diastolic Normal <130 <85 High normal 130-139 85-89 Hypertension Stage 1 (mild) 140-159 90-99 Stage 2 (moderate) 160-179 100-109 Stage 3 (severe) 180-209 110-119 Stage 4 (very severe) 210 _ 120 From JNC-5.7 Table 2 Recommendations for Follow-up Based on Initial Set of Blood Pressure Measurements for Adults Initial screening blood pressure, mm Hg Systolic Diastolic Follow-up recommended <130 <85 Recheck in 2 years 130-139 85-89 Recheck in 1 year 140-159 90-99 Confirm within 2 months 160-179 100-109 Evaluate or refer to source of care within 1 month 180-209 110-119 Evaluate or refer to source of care within 1 week 210 120 Evaluate or refer to source of care immediately From JNC-5. Tecumseh Blood Pressure Studyll and the Hyper- become much more important. These readings tension Detection and Follow-up Program. 12 The are not only crucial in lower-income families purpose of classifying patients with hypertension with poor medical access, but also in the expand- is not only to monitor progress, but also to select ing elderly population outside of a monitored out a high-risk group of patients who need to facility. Several studies have addressed the use- be followed closely and treated aggressively. fulness of outpatient blood pressure readings, Attention to any associated target organ dam- some showing a better correlation to long-term age is an important start (Table 3). health. 13-17 "White coat" hypertension has been widely recognized as an important aspect of Role of outpatient readings of blood hypertension identification and treatment.17 pressure Guidelines currently set state that it is unlike- With increased awareness of not only the hyper- ly that a person has hypertension if awake out- tensive community as a whole, but of the indi- patient systolic blood pressure (SBP) is less than vidual patient with hypertension, as well, the 130 mm Hg and DBP is 80 to 85 mm Hg. 14-17 use of outpatient blood pressure readings has Ambulatory blood pressure is most useful in 834 • JAOA • Vol 94 • No 10 • October 1994 Review article • Williams Table 3 average DBP of 90 mm Hg or greater or SBP of 140 mm Hg or Manifestations of Target-Organ Disease greater, or both.? Organ system Manifestations At evaluation, the patient should be allowed to rest 5 min- Cardiac Clinical, electrocardiographic, or radiologic utes. If blood pressure is high, evidence of coronary artery disease; left then pressure in both arms ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) "strain" by should be checked. Orthostatic electrocardiography or LVH by measurements (blood pressure echocardiography; left ventricular dysfunction and pulse measured with the or cardiac failure patient in the supine and stand- Cerebrovascular Transient ischemic attack or stroke ing positions) are also helpful Peripheral when baseline measurements vascular Absence of one or more major pulses in extremities are being obtained, especially (except for dorsalis pedis) with or without in the elderly or diabetic patient. intermittent claudication; aneurysm Because the causes of hyper- Renal tension are extensive, the clin- Serum creatinine 130 j nol/L; proteinuria ( 1); microalbuminuria ician should search for clues of reversible causes of hyperten- Retinopathy Hemorrhages or exudates; with or without sion (secondary causes) and evi- papilledema dence of target organ damage. To fully risk-stratify the patient, *From JNC-5.7 investigation for the other car- diovascular risk factors (dia- betes mellitus, tobacco use, hyper- evaluation of the complex patient with labile lipidemia, family history, coronary artery hypertension, possible drug resistance, and diur- disease, gout, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, male nal variation of blood pressure. In the elderly older than 40 years, and post menopausal patient, it can be an important aid in the diag- women without estrogen replacement) should nosis of orthostatic symptoms (or possibly auto- be actively pursued (Tables 4 and 5). nomic dysfunction. 19 The current recommenda- tions are to calibrate the unit when purchased Quality of life and thereafter once a year. The side effects of antihypertensive treatment should be carefully reviewed. Sexual dysfunc- Cost of treatment tion, in particular, has been strongly associated In the era of cost-containment, it becomes imper- with impairment in quality of life. In fact, this ative for patient compliance that the treatment has been a primary reason for premature study of hypertension is affordable. Drugs can amount withdrawal and a potential source of noncom- to 70% to 80% of the total expenditure for treat- pliance. Each patient should be questioned before ment of hypertension. Also, the cost-effective- and during treatment to assess for this often- ness of treating hypertension varies markedly missed important information.2 with the degree of cardiovascular risk in vari- ous subgroups of hypertension patients. 19 Aggres- Treatment sive treatment of the diabetic patient in par- The treatment of hypertension should include ticular has been proved to be especially active interaction with patients. Benefits and cost-effective. Indeed, an estimated 35% to 75% side effects should be explained and instruc- of diabetic complications can be attributed to tions written out. Specific dates for follow-up hypertension.20 should be set and goals of blood pressure control outlined so patients can follow their progress Evaluation as an outpatient. Once blood pressure at rest The diagnosis of hypertension is made only has been controlled, an exercise prescription after a patient is hypertensive at two separate should be considered. A walking program is usu- visits (unless SBP is 210 mm Hg or greater or ally the easiest for all patients to start with. DBP is 120 mm Hg or greater or both), with Instruct patients that any significant change in Review article • Williams JAOA • Vol 94 • No 10 0 October 1994 • 835 have an impact on some of the underlying meta- Table 4 bolic causes that can aggravate hypertension. History and Physical examination In fact, it is possible that insulin resistance, in the white male, is the primary abnormality ■ Family history that links obesity, hypertension, and glucose Hypertension, premature coronary artery disease, intolerance.24-28 This association has not been