| Hypotension | Hypertension | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Causes | ||
| Angina pectoris Myocardial infarction Acute and chronic pericarditis Valvular defects Heart failure | Essential hypertension Iron-deficiency anemia Pernicious anemia Arteriosclerosis obliterans Polycythemia vera | |
| Assessment | ||
| Behavior | Anxiety, apprehension, decreasing mentation, confusion | Nervousness, mood swings, irritability, difficulty with memory, depression, confusion |
| Neurological | Essentially noncontributory | Decreased vibratory sensations, increased/decreased reflexes, Babinski reflex, changes in coordination |
| Head/neck | Distended neck veins, worried expression | Bruits over carotids, distended neck veins, epistaxis, diplopia, ringing in ears, dull occipital headaches on arising |
| Skin | Pale, cool, moist | Dry, pale, glossy, flaky, cold; decreased or absent hair |
| GI | Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, constipation | Anorexia, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation |
| Respiratory | Dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, tachypnea, moist crackles, cough | Dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles |
| Cardiovascular | Tires easily Blood pressure—decreased systolic, decreased systolic/diastolic Pulse—increased/decreased/weak, thready, irregular, arrhythmias | Decreased exercise tolerance, weakness, palpitations Blood pressure—increased systolic and/or diastolic Decreased or absent pedal pulses |
| Renal | Oliguria | Oliguria, nocturia, proteinuria |
| Extremities | Dependent edema | Tingling, numbness, or cold hands and feet, dependent edema, ulcers of legs or feet |