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 or even death increases.
The human vascular system is a transport network in which the transport – the blood – is in continuous movement. For blood to circulate, it must be under pressure. Pressure is created due to contraction of the heart muscle, as a result of which a new portion of blood is thrown into the arteries with each heartbeat. Therefore, when measuring pressure, two values are recorded: at the moment of contraction and in the relaxed state. The larger (upper) value is called systolic pressure (systole means "contraction" in Greek), the smaller (lower) value is called diastolic pressure (diastole means "expansion"). Normally, the upper value should be around 120 to 140 mmHg. Art. , lower - approximately 70-80 mm Hg. Art. For young people, lower rates are normal, for people over 40, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values higher than those indicated, then this pressure should be considered high. A sustained increase in blood pressure is calledhypertension, and the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure fluctuates constantly and our body is well adapted to these fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which blood flows are elastic and when pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Additionally, when pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels passes into the capillaries. In other words, the body has an effective 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 appears. However, a number of factors can cause a lasting increase in blood pressure. This:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high level of adrenaline in the blood (including as a result of perceived stress);
- atherosclerosis (mainly atherosclerosis of the aorta);
- kidney diseases;
- thyroid diseases;
- take certain medications (including hormonal contraceptives).
The risk of developing hypertension increases with age. High blood pressure in young people is often caused by kidney disease or a magnesium deficiency in the body.
Stages and complications of hypertension
High blood pressure causes increased stress on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Hypertension can cause diseases and pathologies such as:
- heart failure, myocardial infarction;
- stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
- nephrosclerosis, renal failure;
- deterioration of vision (as a result of circulatory problems in the retina).
Therefore, those who are at risk of developing the disease, as well as those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, should monitor their condition and measure their blood pressure regularly.
The following procedure for measuring pressure is recommended. Blood pressure is measured in a seated position, after five minutes of rest. The measurement is carried out three times in a row, the lowest values are taken into account.
Depending on the pressure detected, three stages of hypertension are distinguished.
Stage I hypertension characterized by increases in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
Stage II hypertension diagnosed with a pressure between 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art.
Stage III hypertension – this is a serious pathological condition in which blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. This pressure cannot be normalized on its own, without medical help.
Symptoms of hypertension
High blood pressure can manifest with symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- decrease in performance.
However, these symptoms may be perceived by a person simply as signs of fatigue. Moreover, at the first stage, hypertension may be asymptomatic.
Separately, a sudden increase in pressure stands out -hypertensive crisis, which can also be considered a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, a strong violation of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys. The symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:
- a severe headache;
- darkening of the eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina, feeling of increased heart rate;
- cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
Possible increases 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 tinnitus, 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 between 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art. In this case, the increase in pressure turns out to be more stable than in the case of stage I. Stage II hypertension is manifested by headaches and sore throats, dizziness should also be expectedand hypertensive crises. Blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Possible strokes.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. With this pressure, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases significantly. Irreversible changes occur in the activity of the heart, brain and kidneys.
Methods for diagnosing hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed based on blood pressure measurements. For diagnosis, the 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) method can be used.
It is of great importance to establish the cause that caused the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, treatment of hypertension cannot be effective enough. In order to establish the cause of high blood pressure, as well as to determine the degree of damage to internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory studies are carried out.
ECG
The ECG is a basic test in cardiology. Helps identify heart diseases that cause or accompany hypertension. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) can be used to perform an ECG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography for hypertension provides the doctor with information about pathological processes in the patient's heart. At 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 later stages, dilatation of the left ventricle can be observed, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examinations
In case of persistent increase in blood pressure, an ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as an ultrasound of the brachiocephalic and renal arteries, may also be prescribed.
Optical coherence tomography
If you suffer from hypertension, it is important to undergo a fundus examination, as increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and cause visual impairment. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography using a fundus camera may also be used.
Laboratory diagnosis
The examination 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 for treating hypertension
The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce the risk of developing the most dangerous complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic renal failure and nephrosclerosis). To this end, measures are taken to return blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient must be prepared for lifelong antihypertensive treatment. Treatment at stages II and III of the disease necessarily includes drug therapy. Treatment of stage I hypertension may not require medications, but may be limited only to non-drug therapeutic methods. In all cases, non-drug treatment of hypertension is very important.
A patient suffering from hypertension should measure blood pressure regularly and follow all instructions of the attending physician.
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 contact them with complaints of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
Medicines should be selected by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle change
First of all, you must:
- stop smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to reduce your weight to normal;
- reduce salt consumption to 5 g/day;
- offer regular physical activity. The most beneficial are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increase your resistance to stress;
- optimize nutrition (eat more green vegetables, fruits, foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium and, conversely, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and protein foods). You should eat regularly.