Question

1. Why is essential hypertension called a “silent killer,” and what are some of the risk factors for essential hypertension?

2. Compare deep vein thromboses and varicose veins, discussing their causes, treatments, etc.

3. Discuss the risk factors for developing heart disease. Based on these factors, is anyone that you know at risk?

Answer 1

Answer 1:

• Essential hypertension is called a silent killer because:
  • The symptoms of essential hypertension are non-specific.
  • Many a time, patients don't have symptoms at all.
  • Hypertension if left untreated can lead to heart failure, stroke.
  • Therefore, a patient may first present to the doctor with complications of hypertension.
  • In such situations, it may be difficult to salvage the patient.
  • Therefore, essential hypertension is called a silent killer.

Risk factors for essential hypertension:

1. Older age
2. Male gender is at a higher risk than females
3. African Americans more than caucasians.
4. Diet high in fats and salt
5. Sedentary lifestyle.
6. Stress
7. Alcohol consumption more than 15 ml/day
8. Obesity
9. History of medication with steroid or oral contraceptive pills.

Answer 2:

Varicose veins	Deep venous thrombosis
These are dilated tortuous veins	Deep venous thrombosis is the development of thrombosis in the veins
This due to structural abnormality of the vein	This develops due to either of the factors listed below: Increase the hypercoagulability of blood Stasis of blood flow Injury to the blood vessel
The venous valves are damaged	They may or may not be damaged
Varicose vein can cause deep venous thrombosis	The varicose vein is a predisposing factor but not an essential pre-requisite for deep venous thrombosis
The treatment is surgical Stockings Injection of sclerosants into the veins Surgical stripping of the vein Laser treatment	The mainstay treatment for DVT is medical Anticoagulant therapy - to prevent further clot formation. Thrombolytic therapy - this is to dissolve the clot. Surgical management in the form of vena cava filters is used only when anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated in the patient.

Answer: 3

The risk factors for heart disease are as follows:

Modifiable risk factors	Non - Modifiable risk factor
These are risk factors that can be modified by making changes in the diet and lifestyle of the patient	These risk factors cannot be modified by changing the diet and lifestyle of the patient
Diet high in salt and fats Lack of physical activity History of hypertension History of dyslipidemia History of stress History of diabetes History of smoking History of excess alcohol consumption Obesity	Age (older people are at increase risk of developing heart disease. this is because of multiple concomitant comorbid conditions and lack of physical exercise) Male gender Family history of cardiac disease or obesity.