Hypertension

No Abstract

Heart failure

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the performance of the ventricle: either to eject blood (systolic dysfunction) [or reduced ejection function] or to fill with blood (preserved ejection fraction or diastolic heart failure)

The influence of common simple investigations on treatment and outcome in hypertensive patients

No AbstractKeywords: hypertensio

The recognition and management of valvular heart disease

No Abstract

Beta blockers and their combinations in the management of hypertension

No Abstract.S Afr Fam Pract 2012;54(5):409-41

Chronic heart failure

Heart failure is a global problem. It is estimated that approximately 38 million people worldwide experience heart failure, and this number is growing because of the ageing of nations’ populations, but also because patients are rescued from death during an acute myocardial infarction, and later develop heart failure. The prevalence of heart failure is roughly 2% of the population, and up to 10% in people aged 75 years and older. It is also estimated that the lifetime risk of heart failure at the age of 40 years is approximately 20% (one in five) for both men and women. Heart failure is also increasing in low- and medium-income countries, probably because of changes in lifestyle which favour the development of obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The mortality of heart failure is worse than that associated with most cancers. Average mortality is roughly 50% within five years. However, evidence-based treatment did reduce mortality significantly. About two thirds of the economic burden of heart failure is owing to hospital admissions and re-admissions. Therefore, heart failure is also an expensive disease.Keywords: acute myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, hypertension, obesit

Cardiovascular risk calculation

Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of global mortality and morbidity. Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause in the majority of cardiovascular disease events. Traditional independent risk factors for car  diovascular disease include age, abnormal lipid levels, elevated blood pressure, smoking and elevated blood sugar  levels (diabetes mellitus). These risk factors are incorporated into a risk score, such as the Framingham Risk Score  (FRS), that is used to predict an individual’s absolute risk of a cardiovascular event, typically over the next 10 years,  e.g. 15% risk over 10 years. These risk scores are useful in predicting risk in populations, but their ability to predict  a cardiovascular event in an individual patient is not accurate and varies considerably across different populations.  Currently, there are three methods of calculating cardiovascular risk. These are risk charts, e.g. FRS, a  non-laboratory-based risk calculation, and lastly, screening for subclinical cardiac disease.Keywords: calculation, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular ris

Secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension is rare and the diagnosis may be challenging although, on occasion, there are clinical features  indicative of a specific underlying cause. The more commonly encountered causes include renal parenchymal and vascular disease, phaeochromocytoma, endocrine causes, sleep apnoea and drugs

Antihypertensive treatment in the elderly

No Abstrac

How can I recognise the high-risk cardiovascular patient? The concept of risk

No Abstract