Systemic Hypertension in Dogs

Mark J. Acierno, DVM, MBA, DACVIM, Midwestern University

Internal Medicine

June 2022

Peer Reviewed

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SIGNS OF TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE

SBP is categorized based on the risk for TOD, examples include:

Eye: tortuous vessels, retinal hemorrhage/edema, retinal detachment
Heart: left ventricular free wall hypertrophy (eg, systolic murmur, gallop murmur, arrhythmia); signs of heart disease possible
Kidney: progression of kidney disease; may be exacerbated by proteinuria
Brain: altered mentation, seizure, coma, death

TABLE

CATEGORIES OF BLOOD PRESSURE BASED ON RISK FOR TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE

SBP	Risk for TOD	Category
<140 mm Hg	Minimal	Normotensive
140-159 mm Hg	Low	Prehypertensive*
160-179 mm Hg	Moderate	Hypertensive
≥180 mm Hg	High	Severely hypertensive

*Prehypertensive patients are likely to become hypertensive.

HOW TO MINIMIZE RISK FOR SITUATIONAL HYPERTENSION

Place pet owner and patient in a quiet area away from other patients.
Allow patient to acclimate to new environment before measuring BP.
Measure BP before performing examination or obtaining vital signs.
Ensure owner is present unless their presence is disruptive.

ACEI = angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, AKI = acute kidney injury, ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker, BP = blood pressure, CKD = chronic kidney disease, RAAS = renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, SBP = systolic blood pressure, TOD = target organ damage

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be found here.

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