hypertension(Hypertension) is a persistent increase in blood pressure that requires constant monitoring of your health and 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 - the blood - is in constant motion. In order for the blood to move, it must be under pressure. The contraction of the heart muscle creates pressure, causing a new portion of blood to be thrown into the arteries with every heartbeat. That's why two values are recorded when measuring pressure: 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 120-140 mmHg. Art. , below - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. Art. Lower rates are normal for young people and higher rates for people over 40. If the pressure measurement shows higher values than the specified values, this pressure should be considered increased. A sustained 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 bodies are well adapted to such fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which blood flows are elastic and expand as pressure increases. This normalizes the pressure. In addition, when pressure increases, blood flows from the arterial vessels into the capillaries. That is, the body has an effective mechanism for normalizing pressure. Hypertension occurs when this mechanism stops working for some reason.
Modern medicine does not yet have an exact answer to the question of why high blood pressure occurs. However, there are a number of factors that can lead to a sustained increase in blood pressure. The:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high levels of adrenaline in the blood (also as a result of stress experienced);
- arteriosclerosis (mainly aortic arteriosclerosis);
- kidney disease;
- thyroid diseases;
- Taking certain medications (including hormonal contraceptives).
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. Hypertension in young people is often explained by kidney disease or a lack of magnesium 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, myocardial infarction;
- cerebrovascular accidents (ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
- Deterioration of vision (due to impaired blood flow to 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 pressure measurement procedure is recommended. Blood pressure is measured while sitting after a five-minute break. The measurement is taken three times in a row, taking the lowest values into account.
Depending on the pressure determined, three stages of hypertension are distinguished.
Stage I hypertension characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
Stage II hypertension A pressure in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg was diagnosed. Art.
Stage III hypertension – This is a serious pathological condition in which blood pressure is measured 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 in the following symptoms:
- Weakness;
- Dizziness;
- Headache;
- reduced performance.
However, these symptoms may simply be perceived by a person as signs of fatigue. In addition, hypertension can be asymptomatic in the first stage.
Separately, a sudden increase in pressure is noticeable -hypertensive crisis, which can also be viewed as a complication of high blood pressure. During a hypertensive crisis, there is a severe circulatory disorder 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, feeling of an accelerated heartbeat;
- 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 a period of rest, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no additional symptoms, but tinnitus, a feeling of heaviness in the head, mild headaches, poor sleep, reduced 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 is more stable than in the case of stage I. Hypertension in stage II is manifested by headaches and angina pectoris, and dizziness and hypertensive crises are also to be expected. The blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Possible strokes.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure is measured in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. At this pressure, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes increases significantly. Irreversible changes in the activity of the heart, brain and kidneys occur.
Methods for diagnosing hypertension
High blood pressure is diagnosed based on blood pressure measurements. The 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) method can be used for diagnosis.
It is of great importance to determine the cause of the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, treatment of high blood pressure may not be effective enough. To identify the cause of arterial hypertension and determine the degree of damage to internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory studies are carried out.
ECG
The ECG is a fundamental test in cardiology. Allows you to identify heart diseases that cause or are associated with high blood pressure. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) can be used to create an ECG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography for high blood pressure 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 the normal range. In later stages, dilatation of the left ventricle can be observed, which is accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examinations
If the increase in blood pressure persists, an ultrasound examination of the kidneys and adrenal glands as well as an ultrasound examination of the brachiocephalic artery and renal arteries may also be prescribed.
Optical coherence tomography
In the case of high blood pressure, an examination of the fundus of the eye is important, as increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and to vision problems. The fundus examination is best carried out using optical coherence tomography. Biomicrography of the fundus with a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnostics
Screening for high blood pressure includes laboratory tests. You need to do blood tests - general and biochemical (tests for creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood), as well as a general urine test. Further testing may be ordered.
Treatment methods for high blood pressure
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). For this purpose, measures are taken to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient must be prepared for the fact 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 can be limited to non-drug therapy methods. In any case, non-drug therapy for high blood pressure is very important.
A patient with hypertension should measure blood pressure regularly and follow all instructions given by the attending physician.
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 family doctor), who often recognizes high blood pressure when you go to them with complaints of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
The selection of medicines should be made by a doctor who takes into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle change
First of all you need to do the following:
- stop smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to reduce weight to normal;
- Reduce salt intake to 5 g/day;
- ensure regular physical activity. The most beneficial 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 should eat regularly.