Hypertension(hypertension) is a persistent increase in blood pressure, which requires continuous monitoring of your health and timely treatment. Otherwise, the risk of dangerous diseases and even death increases.
The human vascular system is a transport network in which the transport - the blood - is in constant motion. In order for blood to move, it must be under pressure. Pressure is created due to the contraction of the heart muscle, as a result of which a new portion of blood enters 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), the lower (lower) value is called diastolic pressure (diastole means "expansion"). Normally, the upper reading should be around 120-140 mm Hg. Art. , lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. The rate is lower for young people, and higher for people over 40. If the pressure measurement shows higher values than indicated, this pressure should be considered elevated. A persistent increase in blood pressure is called arterialhypertension, and the patient is diagnosedhigh blood pressure (hypertension).
Causes of high blood pressure
Blood pressure fluctuates constantly, and our body adapts well to such fluctuations. The walls of the blood vessels through which the blood moves are elastic, and when the pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Also, as the pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels moves into the capillaries. That is, the body has an effective mechanism for normalizing pressure. Hypertension develops when this mechanism ceases for some reason.
Modern medicine does not yet have an exact answer to the question of why high blood pressure occurs. However, there are many factors that can lead to a persistent increase in blood pressure. This:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol consumption;
- high level of adrenaline in the blood (including due to experienced stress);
- arteriosclerosis (mainly atherosclerosis of the aorta);
- kidney diseases;
- thyroid diseases;
- taking certain medications (including hormonal contraceptives).
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. High blood pressure in young people is often explained by kidney disease or magnesium deficiency in the body.
Stages and complications of hypertension
Arterial hypertension leads to increased stress on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. High blood pressure can cause diseases and pathologies such as:
- heart failure, heart attack;
- cerebrovascular accidents (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
- visual impairment (as a result of retinal circulation problems).
Therefore, those who are at risk of developing the disease, as well as those who have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, should monitor their condition and measure their blood pressure regularly.
The following procedure is recommended for pressure measurement. Blood pressure is measured while sitting, after five minutes of rest. The measurement is performed three times in a row, the lowest values are taken into account.
Depending on the perceived pressure, three stages of hypertension are distinguished.
Stage I hypertension characterized by an increase in blood pressure between 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
II. stage hypertension Diagnosed with a pressure of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art.
III. stage hypertension – this 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 on its own without medical help.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can manifest itself with symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- reduced performance.
However, a person may simply perceive these symptoms as a sign of fatigue. In addition, in the first stage, high blood pressure may be asymptomatic.
Of particular note is the sudden increase in pressure -hypertensive crisis, which can also be considered a complication of high blood pressure. During a hypertensive crisis, a sharp disruption of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, and kidneys. The symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are as follows:
- severe headache;
- darkening of the eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina pectoris, a feeling of increased heartbeat;
- cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
Possible increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art. After rest, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no other symptoms, but tinnitus, headache, mild headache, poor sleep, decreased performance, sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.
The II. symptoms of stage 1 hypertension
The pressure rises to 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 stage I. The II. Stage 1 hypertension is manifested by headache and angina, dizziness and hypertensive crises should also be expected. Blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina decreases. Possible strokes.
The III. symptoms of stage 1 hypertension
Blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mmHg. Art. With this pressure, the probability of heart attack and stroke increases significantly. Irreversible changes occur in the functioning of the heart, brain and kidneys.
Methods of diagnosing high blood pressure
High blood pressure is diagnosed based on a blood pressure measurement. The method of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be used for diagnosis.
It is very important to determine what caused the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, the treatment of high blood pressure cannot be effective enough. In order to determine the cause of arterial hypertension, as well as to determine the degree of damage to the internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory tests are performed.
EKG
The ECG is the basic examination of cardiology. It allows the identification of heart diseases that cause or accompany high blood pressure. Holter monitoring (24-hour EKG monitoring) can be used for EKG recording.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography performed in case of high blood pressure provides the doctor with information about the pathological processes taking place 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, expansion of the left ventricle is observed, which is accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examinations
In case of persistent blood pressure increase, an ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as an ultrasound of the brachiocephalic and renal arteries may be prescribed.
Optical coherence tomography
In case of high blood pressure, it is important to perform a fundus examination, because the increased pressure in this area can cause pathological changes and visual impairment. The examination of the fundus is best performed with optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography can also be used with a fundus camera.
Laboratory diagnostics
The examination of hypertension includes laboratory tests. You should have a blood test - general and biochemical (creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose level tests in the blood) and a general urine test. Other tests can be ordered.
Treatment methods for high blood pressure
The main goal of treating high blood pressure 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 reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient should be prepared to continue antihypertensive therapy for life. The disease II. and III. treatment necessarily includes drug therapy. The treatment of stage I hypertension does not require medication, but may be limited to non-pharmacological therapeutic methods. In any case, non-drug therapy for high blood pressure is very important.
A patient with high blood pressure should measure their blood pressure regularly and follow their doctor's instructions.
Which doctor treats high blood pressure
High blood pressure is treated by a cardiologist. High blood pressure can also be treated by a family doctor (general practitioner or general practitioner), who often detects high blood pressure when you come to them with complaints of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
Medicines must be selected by a doctor who takes into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle change
First you need to do the following:
- stop smoking;
- stopping or reducing 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;
- increases your resistance to stress;
- optimize nutrition (eat more greens, fruits, foods rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and conversely, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and protein foods). You have to eat regularly.