ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION UNIT

UNIDAD HIPERTENSIÓN ARTERIAL

HCB Hospitales brings together specialists from Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Nephrology to approach the new Arterial Hypertension Unit, creating a multidisciplinary team dedicated to analysing, monitoring and improving the general state of health of patients with Arterial Hypertension (HTN) and preventing future associated pathologies.

This specialized Unit completes the HCB Hospitales portfolio of services in a particularly important area, given the high prevalence of Arterial Hypertension, the high associated morbidity and mortality, and the great variability that currently exists in the degree of control and treatment.

  • Treatment Resistant Hypertension.
  • Refractory Arterial Hypertension.
  • Study of Secondary Hypertension.
  • Hypertension with Target Organ Injury.
  • Multiple Drug Intolerances.
  • High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy.
  • Patients with moderate/high cardiovascular risk
  • Patients in need of secondary prevention of cardiovascular risk

The unit aims to establish a protocolled evaluation of hypertensive patients and has the following basic objectives:

  • Define the type and degree of arterial hypertension.
  • Detect possible causes of secondary hypertension.
  • Make a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk, with its stratification, through:
  • Screening for other cardiovascular risk factors: dyslipidaemia, smoking, obesity, diabetes and sedentary lifestyle.
  • Early detection of lesions in target organs.
  • Establish a comprehensive treatment with all the information obtained.
  • Carry out a follow-up and regulated control of these patients.

The directed clinical history, the basic physical examination and the performance of a series of general complementary examinations make up the study protocol of the HCB Arterial Hypertension Unit.

In selected cases, Advanced Complementary Examinations will be necessary for greater diagnostic precision, both to stratify CVR and to specify the diagnosis of secondary HTN.

  • Precise diagnosis of the type of hypertension through standardized taking of blood pressure, AMPA and ABPM.
  • Personalized treatment of high blood pressure.
  • Specific approach to all cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Early detection of target organ injury through:
  • Eye fundus by Ophthalmology in AHT grade 2-3.
  • Echocardiogram by Cardiology in case of symptoms or signs of heart failure or structural problems. Other tests depending on the specific situation of the patient.
  • Abdominal Ultrasound with Doppler Study, in case of signs of Renal Disease and/or Peripheral Vascular Disease, due to suspicion of Renal Artery Stenosis or Pathology in the Adrenal Glands. It can be enlarged with CT or MRI.
  • Carotid ultrasound for Cerebral or Peripheral Vascular Disease, with determination of the intima/media index.
  • Ankle-Brachial Index, Evaluation of Peripheral Vascular Disease.
  • Brain Imaging Tests or Cognitive Function by Neurology.

The therapeutic bases

Lifestyle Modifications (Non-Pharmacological Treatment) and Pharmacological Treatment.

Lifestyle Modifications are the basis of the treatment of AHT in particular and of Cardiovascular Prevention in general. However, most patients will also need pharmacological treatment.

Nephrology

Dr. Jaime Sanz

Dr. Edgardo Chacon

Internal Medicine

Dr. Pilar Rey

Cardiology

Dr. Miguel Angel Lopez Aranda