Hypertension(hypertension) is a persistent increase in blood pressure, which requires constant monitoring of your health, as well as timely treatment. Otherwise, the risk of developing dangerous diseases and even death increases.
The human vascular system is a transport network in which the transport - blood - is in constant motion. In order for blood to move, it must be under pressure. The pressure is caused by the contraction of the heart muscle, due to which a new part of the blood is thrown into the arteries with each heartbeat. Therefore, when measuring pressure, two values are recorded: at the moment of contraction and in a relaxed state. The higher (upper) value is called systolic pressure (systole means "contraction" in Greek), and the lower (lower) value is called diastolic pressure (diastole means "expansion"). Normally, the upper value should be around 120-140 mmHg. Art, lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. For young people, higher rates are shownpressure should be considered elevated. A persistent increase in blood pressure is called arterialhypertension, and the patient was diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure is constantly fluctuating, and our body is well adapted to such fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which the blood moves are elastic, and when the pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Also, when the pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels goes into the capillaries. That is, the body has an efficient mechanism for normalizing pressure. Hypertension develops when, for some reason, this mechanism stops working.
Modern medical science does not yet have an exact answer to the question of why hypertension occurs. However, there are a number of factors that can lead to a permanent increase in blood pressure. this:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high level of adrenaline in the blood (including as a result of experienced stress);
- atherosclerosis (primarily atherosclerosis of the aorta);
- kidney disease;
- diseases of the thyroid gland;
- taking certain medications (including hormonal contraceptives).
The risk of developing hypertension increases with age. Hypertension in young people is often explained by kidney disease or lack of magnesium in the body.
Stages and complications of hypertension
Arterial hypertension leads to increased stress on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Hypertension can cause diseases and pathologies such as:
- heart failure, myocardial infarction;
- cerebrovascular accidents (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
- deterioration of vision (as a result of problems with circulation in the retina).
Therefore, those who are at risk of developing the disease, as well as those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, must monitor their condition and measure their blood pressure regularly.
The following procedure is recommended for measuring pressure. Blood pressure is measured while sitting, after a five-minute rest. The measurement is performed three times in a row, the lowest values are taken into account.
Depending on the determined pressure, there are three stages of hypertension.
Stage I hypertension characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
Stage II hypertension diagnosed pressure in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art.
Stage III hypertension - it is a serious pathological condition in which the blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. This pressure cannot be normalized by itself, without medical help.
Symptoms of hypertension
High blood pressure can manifest as symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- reduced performance.
However, a person may perceive these symptoms simply as signs of fatigue. In addition, in the first stage, hypertension can be asymptomatic.
Separately, the sudden increase in pressure is highlighted -hypertensive crisis, which can also be considered a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, there is a sharp disruption of blood circulation in the most important organs - brain, heart, kidneys. Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:
- severe headache;
- darkening of the eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina pectoris, a feeling of rapid heartbeat;
- cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
A possible increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mm Hg. Art. After rest, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no additional symptoms, but ringing in the ears, heaviness in the head, mild headaches, poor sleep, decreased performance, and sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.
Symptoms of stage II hypertension
The pressure rises to values in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art. In this case, the pressure increase turns out to be more stable than in the case of the I phase. Stage II hypertension is manifested by headaches and angina, dizziness and hypertensive crises should also be expected. Blood flow to the brain, kidneys and retina decreases. Possible shots.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. With this pressure, the probability of heart attack and stroke increases significantly. Irreversible changes occur in the work of the heart, brain and kidneys.
Methods for diagnosing hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed based on blood pressure measurements. The method of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be used for diagnosis.
It is very important to determine the cause that caused the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, the treatment of hypertension cannot be effective enough. In order to determine the cause of arterial hypertension, as well as to determine the degree of damage to internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory studies are conducted.
EKG
ECG is the basic test in cardiology. It allows you to identify heart diseases that are the cause or accompanying hypertension. Holter monitoring (24-hour EKG monitoring) can be used to record the EKG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography for hypertension provides the doctor with information about pathological processes in the patient's heart. In the first stage of the disease, echocardiography shows an increase in the rate of contraction of the walls of the left ventricle, while the size of the cavities and the thickness of the walls remain within normal limits. In the later stages, left ventricular enlargement can be observed, followed by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examinations
In the case of a constant increase in blood pressure, an ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands can be prescribed, as well as an ultrasound of the brachiocephalic and renal arteries.
Optical coherence tomography
If you have hypertension, it is important to undergo a fundus examination, because increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and cause visual impairment. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Biomicrography of the fundus using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnostics
Screening for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You will need to do blood tests - general and biochemical (tests for the level of creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose in the blood), as well as a general urine test. Other tests may be ordered.
Methods of treatment of hypertension
The main goal of hypertension treatment is to reduce the risk of developing the most dangerous complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney failure and nephrosclerosis). To this end, measures are taken to lower blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient should be prepared that antihypertensive therapy will be carried out for life. The course of treatment in stages II and III of the disease necessarily includes drug therapy. Treatment of stage I hypertension may not require medication, but may be limited to non-drug therapy methods. In any case, non-drug therapy for hypertension is very important.
A patient with hypertension should measure their blood pressure regularly and follow all the doctor's instructions.
Which doctor treats hypertension
Hypertension is treated by a cardiologist. Hypertension can also be treated by a general practitioner (general practitioner or family doctor), who often detects high blood pressure when you come to him with complaints of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
Medicines should be chosen by a doctor, who does so taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle change
First of all, you need to:
- stop smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to reduce the weight to normal;
- reduce salt intake to 5 g/day;
- ensure regular physical activity. The most useful are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increase resistance to stress;
- optimize nutrition (eat more greens, fruits, food with a significant content of potassium, calcium and magnesium and, conversely, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and protein foods). You should eat regularly.