hypertension(hypertension) is a constant 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. For blood to move, it must be under pressure. The pressure is created due to the contraction of the heart muscles, as a result of which a new part of the blood is thrown into the arteries with each heartbeat. That is why two values are recorded during pressure measurement: at the moment of contraction and in a 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 120-140 mmHg. Art. , lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. For young people, the lowest rates are normal, for people over 40, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values that are higher than those indicated, then such pressure should be considered elevated. A continuous increase in blood pressure is called arterialhypertension, and the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure fluctuates constantly 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 is normalized. Also, when the pressure increases, the blood from the arterial vessels goes into the capillaries. This means, 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 occurs. However, there are a number of factors that can lead to a sustained increase in blood pressure. This:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high levels of adrenaline in the blood (including as a result of experienced stress);
- atherosclerosis (mainly atherosclerosis of the aorta);
- kidney diseases;
- thyroid diseases;
- 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 magnesium deficiency 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 blood circulation 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 is recommended for pressure measurement. Blood pressure is measured after five minutes of rest. The measurement is performed three times in a row, the lowest values are taken into account.
Depending on the detected pressure, three stages of hypertension are distinguished.
Stage I hypertension characterized by increased blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
Stage II hypertension diagnosed with pressure in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art.
Stage III 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 by itself, without medical help.
Symptoms of hypertension
High blood pressure can manifest as symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- decreased performance.
However, these symptoms can be perceived by a person simply as signs of fatigue. In addition, in the first stage, hypertension may be asymptomatic.
Separately, a sudden increase in pressure is noticeable -hypertensive crisis, which can also be considered as a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, a sharp interruption of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys. Symptoms of hypertensive crisis are:
- severe headache;
- darkening of the eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina pectoris, the feeling of increased heart rate;
- cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
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 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 increases to values in the range of 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 headache and angina, dizziness and hypertensive crisis should also be expected. Blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Possible hits.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. With this pressure, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes 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. The 24-hour blood pressure monitoring method (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. 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 performed.
ECG
The EKG is a 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 obtain an EKG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography for hypertension gives the doctor 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, the expansion of the left ventricle is observed, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examinations
In case of continuous increase in blood pressure, the ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as the ultrasound of the brachiocephalic and renal arteries, can also be prescribed.
Optical coherence tomography
If you have 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 done using optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnosis
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 analysis of urine. Other tests may also be ordered.
Methods of treating hypertension
The main goal of hypertension treatment is to reduce the risk of developing the most dangerous complications (heart attack, myocardial infarction, chronic renal failure and nephrosclerosis). For this, measures are being taken to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient should be prepared that antihypertensive therapy will be carried out throughout 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 regularly measure blood pressure and follow all the 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 him with complaints of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
Medicines must be chosen by a doctor, who does this 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;
- provide regular physical activity. The most useful are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increase your resistance to stress;
- optimize nutrition (eat more vegetables, fruits, foods with a significant content of potassium, calcium and magnesium and, conversely, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and protein foods). You must eat regularly.