Hypertension & Peripheral Vascular Disease

Hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage occurs, making consistent monitoring and medication adherence the central teaching focus. Common antihypertensive classes each carry a signature teaching point: ACE inhibitors (dry cough, hyperkalemia, first-dose hypotension), ARBs (similar benefits to ACE inhibitors with a much lower cough incidence), beta-blockers (never stop abruptly — rebound tachycardia and hypertension can occur; also mask the tachycardic warning sign of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients), and diuretics (electrolyte monitoring, especially potassium).