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HOW TO DETERMINE PCV (PACKED CELL VOLUME)

The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) Test 1. Objective: This is one of the oldest tests done in medical practice. The objective of this test was to determine the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in whole blood. It  also helped to assess the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. ________________________________________ 2. Principle: The test was based on the principle that when blood was centrifuged, the red blood cells settled at the bottom of the tube, forming a packed column. The ratio of the packed RBC column to the total blood column gave the packed cell volume (PCV), expressed as a percentage. ________________________________________ 3. Materials: • Microhematocrit capillary tubes • Microhematocrit centrifuge • Plasticine or sealing clay • Microhematocrit reader • Lancet • Alcohol swab • Cotton ________________________________________ 4. Procedure (Microhematocrit Method): 1. The fingertip was cleaned with an alcohol swab and pricked with a sterile lancet. 2. Blood was collected into ...
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TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR HYPERTENSION

TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR HYPERTENSION


Medications

The type of medication your doctor prescribes for high blood pressure depends on your blood pressure measurements and overall health. Two or more blood pressure drugs often work better than one. Sometimes finding the most effective medication or combination of drugs is a matter of trial and error.


You should aim for a blood pressure treatment goal of less than 130/80 mm Hg if:


1.You are a healthy adult age 65 or older


2.You are a healthy adult younger than age 65 with a 10% or higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years


3.You have chronic kidney disease, diabetes or coronary artery disease e.t.c


Ask your doctor what your blood pressure treatment goal should be. Also, the ideal blood pressure treatment goal can vary with age and health conditions, particularly if you're older than age 65, see our recent article on the myths surrounding high blood pressure.


Medications used to treat high blood pressure include:


DIURETICS: Diuretics, sometimes called water pills, are medications that help your kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. These drugs are often the first medications tried to treat high blood pressure.


There are different classes of diuretics, including thiazide, loop and potassium sparing. Which one your doctor recommends depends on your blood pressure measurements and other health conditions, such a kidney disease or heart failure. Diuretics commonly used to treat blood pressure include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) and others.


ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE) INHIBITORS: These medications — such as lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril and others — help relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.


ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS (ARBs): These medications relax blood vessels by blocking the action, not the formation, of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. ARBs include candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar) and others.


CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS: These medications — including amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others) and others — help relax the muscles of your blood vessels. Some slow your heart rate. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and people of African heritage than do ACE inhibitors alone.


NB:Don't eat or drink grapefruit products when taking calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit increases blood levels of certain calcium channel blockers, which can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're concerned about interactions.


Additional medications sometimes used to treat high blood pressure include:


ALPHA BLOCKERS: These medications reduce nerve signals to blood vessels, lowering the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels. Alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress) and others.


ALPHA-BETA BLOCKERS: Alpha-beta blockers block nerve signals to blood vessels and slow the heartbeat to reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the vessels. Alpha-beta blockers include carvedilol (Coreg) and labetalol (Trandate).


BETA BLOCKERS: These medications reduce the workload on your heart and widen your blood vessels, causing your heart to beat slower and with less force. Beta blockers include acebutolol, atenolol (Tenormin) and others.


NB:Beta blockers aren't usually recommended as the only medication you're prescribed, but they may be effective when combined with other blood pressure medications.


ALDOSTERONE ANTAGONISTS: These drugs also are considered diuretics. Examples are spironolactone and eplerenone (Inspra). These drugs block the effect of a natural chemical that can lead to salt and fluid buildup, which can contribute to high blood pressure. They may be used to treat resistant hypertension.


Renin inhibitors. Aliskiren (Tekturna) slows the production of renin, an enzyme produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure.


NB:Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you shouldn't take aliskiren with ACE inhibitors or ARBs.


VASODILATORS: These medications include hydralazine and minoxidil. They work directly on the muscles in the walls of your arteries, preventing the muscles from tightening and your arteries from narrowing.




CENTRAL ACTING AGENTS: These medications prevent your brain from telling your nervous system to increase your heart rate and narrow your blood vessels. Examples include clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay), guanfacine (Intuniv) and methyldopa.
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