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 getting 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. Pressure is created due to the contraction of the heart muscle, as a result of which a new portion of blood is thrown into the arteries with each heartbeat. That is why, when measuring pressure, two values are recorded: 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 about 120-140 mmHg. Art. , lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. For younger people, lower rates are common, for people over 40, higher rates. If the pressure gauge shows a higher value than indicated, then the pressure should be considered increased. A persistent increase in blood pressure is called arterial pressurehypertension, and the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure is constantly fluctuating, and our bodies are 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 becomes normal. Also, when the pressure increases, blood from the arteries enters the capillaries. That is, the body has an effective mechanism to normalize 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 several factors that can cause a persistent increase in blood pressure. this:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high levels of adrenaline in the blood (including as a result of stress experienced);
- atherosclerosis (especially aortic atherosclerosis);
- kidney disease;
- thyroid disease;
- 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 pressure on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Hypertension can cause diseases and pathologies such as:
- heart failure, myocardial infarction;
- cerebrovascular accident (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
- visual impairment (due to 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, need to monitor their condition and regularly measure their blood pressure.
The following procedure for measuring pressure is recommended. Blood pressure is measured while sitting, after resting for five minutes. Measurements are performed three times in a row, the lowest value is taken into account.
Depending on the pressure detected, 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 severe pathological condition in which 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 itself as symptoms such as:
- weaknesses;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- performance declines.
However, this symptom may be considered by a person only as a sign of fatigue. In addition, in the first stage, hypertension can 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 sudden interruption of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys. Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:
- severe headache;
- eye darkness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina pectoris, the feeling of an increased heartbeat;
- cold sweat, weak, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
Possible increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mm Hg. Art. After resting, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no additional symptoms, but tinnitus, heaviness in the head, mild headache, lack of sleep, decreased performance, and sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.
Symptoms of stage II hypertension
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 headaches and angina, dizziness and hypertensive crises should also be expected. Blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Possible attacks.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure was recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. With this stress, the chances of heart attacks and strokes increase 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 method (ABPM) can be used.
It is very important to determine the cause of the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, the treatment of hypertension is not 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 carried out.
ECG
ECG is a basic test in cardiology. Allows you to identify heart disease that is the cause or accompanying hypertension. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) can be used to take the ECG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography for hypertension provides doctors with information about pathological processes in the patient's heart. In the first stage of the disease, echocardiography shows an increase in the contraction rate of the left ventricular wall, while the cavity size and wall thickness remain within normal limits. At the next stage, dilation of the left ventricle can be seen, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examination
In the case of persistently elevated blood pressure, an ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as an 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, because increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and cause visual disturbances. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnostics
Screening for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You 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.
Treatment methods for hypertension
The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce the risk of developing the most dangerous complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney failure and nephrosclerosis). For this purpose, measures are being taken to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the weakness of target organs. Patients should be prepared that antihypertensive therapy will be carried out for life. The course of treatment in stage 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 only. In any case, non-drug therapy for hypertension is very important.
Hypertensive patients 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 should be chosen by the doctor, who does this taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle changes
First of all, you need to:
- stop smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to lose weight to normal;
- reduce salt intake to 5 g / day;
- provide regular physical activity. The most beneficial are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increase your resistance to stress;
- optimizing nutrition (eat more vegetables, fruits, foods with important content of potassium, calcium and magnesium, and, on the other hand, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and protein foods). You should eat regularly.