Hypertension Concept Map Primary Diagnosis: _Hypertension ________________________________________________ Describe the pathophysiology of the primary diagnosis in your own words. What are the patient’s risk factors for this diagnosis?
| Pathophysiology of Primary Diagnosis | |
| Hypertension is a cardiovascular disorder characterized by sustained elevated blood pressure. Gabb (2020) defines hypertension as systolic blood pressure (SBP) values of 130 mm Hg or more and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of more than 80 mm Hg. The pathophysiologic principle underlying this condition is the increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system, volume expansion attributed to increased salt absorption, and the dysfunctional response of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. These changes result in an increase in the total peripheral resistance and afterload and, consequently, hypertension (Harrison et al., 2021). | |
| Causes | Risk Factors (genetic/ethnic/physical) |
| Hypertension has a multifactorial etiology. While the majority of cases of hypertension are idiopathic, disorders of the kidneys, endocrine system, and arteries have also been shown to cause the disease (Harrison et al., 2021). | The risk factors of hypertension include being overweight or obese, excessive salt intake, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, age over 65, family history of the disease, and being an ethnic black. |