Hypertension Case Study

Hypertension Case study

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is a chronic medical problem that common across the U.S population. Hypertension is caused by elevated pressure in the arteries. Due to the increase of blood pressure in the arteries this affects the cardiovascular system causing the heart to pump excessively causing narrowing or blockage of the arteries not allowing blood to flow freely. The neurovascular system is also affected causing possible signs and symptoms of stroke. The kidneys are also affected since they filters excess fluids, blood and waste from our body. Due to the effects high blood pressure leading to hypertensive crisis. Patients are normally put on oral medication to control their blood pressure to a normal range. However, in the hospital with extremely elevated blood pressure may cause for more aggressive treatments to include intravenous interventions.

Labetalol an alpha- beta adrenergic antagonist; antihypertensive drug. This one of the drugs used to treat hypertensive crisis in hospital or EMS setting. Labetalol IV works by effectively reducing blood pressure by vasodilation from its alpha properties and depress of cardiac contractility from its beta properties (Burchum & Rosenthal, 2013 p. 507). Labetalol is prescribed 20mg IV push slowly over 2 minutes with an additional dose of 40 mg to 80 mg every 10 minutes if needed until a desirable supine blood pressure reading is obtained to maximum of 300mg. If a follow up infusion is needed 2mg/min continuous infusion up to 300mg total dose. Labetalol is an effective drug in treating mild, moderate to serve hypertension. The drug begins to work quickly within 2 – 5 minutes, peak between 5- 15 minutes and last between 2- 4 hours in body system (Wilson, Shannon, & Shields, 2013 p. 836). It’s imperative that blood pressure is monitored closely while given labetalol because decreasing the blood pressure too quickly could lead to a hypotensive coma.

Labetalol should be used in caution with asthmatic patients due to it beta adrenergic effects which causes bronchospasm. The sympathetic nerves supply the bronchial tree causing bronchodilation resulting in