Comprehensive Hypertension

SECTION 1 - EPIDEMIOLOGY *Blood pressure in Westernized populations *Low blood pressure populations, the impact of rural -urban migration *Regional differences in blood pressure in developed countries *Low blood pressure populations, the impact of rural -urban migration *Fetal influences on blood pressure: the Barker hypothesis *Blood pressure and the risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke SECTION 2 - PATHOGENESIS OF HYPERTENSION - HEMODYNAMICS AND VASCULAR MECHANISMS *Haemodynamics of essential hypertension *Genetic models of hypertension *Experimental models of hypertension *Left ventricular physiology in hypertension *The arterial system in human hypertension *Resistance vessels in hypertension *Endothelial function *Vascular growth, angiogenesis and hypertension *Vascular smooth muscle *Cell membranes - vascular smooth muscle action transport - vascular smooth muscle regulation by calcium magnesium and potassium *Coagulation and platelet abnormalities *Cytokines and inflammation SECTION 3 - PATHOGENESIS OF HYPERTENSION - RENAL AND NEUROHUMORAL MECHANISMS *Role of the kidney *Autonomic control and hemodynamics of hypertension, baroreceptor function and reflexes *Central nervous control of blood pressure *The Renin-Angiotensin System *Aldosterone and other adrenal steroids *The endothelins *Nitric oxide *Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress *The natriuretic peptides *Other peptide and related systems *Other peptide and related systems *Eicosanoids *The kallikrein-kinin systems *Sex steroids - estrogens and testosterone SECTION 4 - PATHOGENESIS OF HYPERTENSION - GENETICS AND LIFESTYLE *Genetic approaches to hypertension: relevance to human hypertension *Monogenic forms of human hypertension *Potential role of gene therapy in treating hypertension and cardiovascular disease *Lifestyle and blood pressure *Obesity *Dietary fats and blood pressure *Vegetarian diets, protein and fiber *Exercise *Electrolye intake and human hypertension *Alcohol intake and blood pressure *Psychosocial stress and hypertension SECTION 5 - TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE *The effects of hypertension on the structure of human resistance vessels *Pathogenesis of atheroma *The brain in hypertension *The kidney in hypertension *The heart in hypertension *The eye in hypertension *Aortic dissection SECTION 6 - SPECIAL GROUPS *Hypertension in children *Hypertension in the elderly *Hypertension in pregnancy *Hypertension, Insulin resistance and diabetes *Hypertension in renal failure *Hypertension in ethnic subgroups *Renin subgroups in hypertension *Hyperadrenergic and 'labile' hypertension *Resistant hypertension *Perioperative hypertension, preparing the *Hypertensive patient for anesthesia and surgery *Hypertension in the setting of acute myocardial infarction and percutaneous interventions *Hypertension in patients with concomitant stroke *Hypertension in patients with concomitant cardiac disorders, eg. heart failure, atrial fibrillation, etc *Hypertensive urgencies and emergencies SECTION 7 - SECONDARY HYPERTENSION *Renal and renovascular hypertension *Renin-secreting tumors *Primary aldosteronism and other forms of mineralocorticoid hypertension *Cushing's Syndrome and hypertension *Oral contraceptives, Hormone Replacement Therapy and hypertension *Drug-induced hypertension *Phaeochromocytoma *Endocrine hypertension: Thyroid disease and acromegagly *Coarctation of the Aorta *Hypertension and central nervous system *Sleep apnea and hypertension SECTION 8 - CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS *Overview of assessment and investigation of the hypertensive patient *Blood pressure measurement *Clinical assessment and examination of the hypertensive patient *Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring *ECGs, echocardiography, exercise testing, other cardiological investigations SECTION 9 - DRUG TREATMENT *Diuretics *Beta-blockers *Calcium antagonists *ACE inhibitors *Angiotensin Receptor Blockers *Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists *Vasodilators *Renin inhibitors and Neutral Endopeptidase *Inhibitors *Centrally acting drugs *Combination therapy in the treatment of hypertension *Interactions between antihypertensive drugs and other medications *Lipid-lowering therapy *Antithrombotic therapy *The target blood pressure when treating hypertension *Compliance, quality of life, cost-effectiveness SECTION 10 - NON PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT *Non-pharmacological management of hypertension *Multidisciplinary management of hypertension, role of the nurse SECTION 11 - GUIDELINES *Guidelines for treating hypertension *Guidelines for treating hypertension - An overview, Europe and Australia *Guidelines for treating hypertension - An overview, D: Third World