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 and even death increases.
The human vascular system is a transport network in which transport (blood) is in continuous movement. 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 with each heartbeat a new portion of blood is thrown into the arteries. Therefore, 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 young people, lower rates are normal, for people over 40 years old, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values higher than those indicated, then the pressure should be considered high. A sustained increase in blood pressure is called arterial.hypertensionand the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure constantly fluctuates and our body is well adapted to such fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which blood circulates are elastic and when pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. In addition, when pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels passes into 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 still does not have an exact answer to the question of why hypertension occurs. However, there are a number of factors that can cause a sustained increase in blood pressure. This:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high level 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 a magnesium deficiency in the body.
Stages and complications of hypertension.
High blood pressure increases 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 strokes);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney 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 periodically measure their blood pressure.
The following procedure is recommended for measuring pressure. Blood pressure is measured sitting, after a five-minute rest. The measurement is carried out 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 It is characterized by increases in 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 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 itself with symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- decreased performance.
However, a person may perceive these symptoms simply as signs of fatigue. Also, 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 sharp interruption of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs: the brain, heart and kidneys. The symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:
- severe headache;
- darkening of the eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina pectoris, feeling of increased heartbeat;
- cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension.
Possible increases in blood pressure within 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. Hypertension in stage II 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 strokes.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure is recorded within 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 of great importance to establish the cause that caused the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, the treatment of hypertension cannot be effective enough. To establish 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.
EKG
The ECG is a basic test in cardiology. It allows you to identify heart diseases that are the cause or the hypertension that accompanies it. 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. In the first stage of the disease, echocardiography shows an increase in the speed of contraction of the walls of the left ventricle, while the size of the chambers and the thickness of the walls remain within normal limits. In later stages, dilation 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 have hypertension, it is important to undergo a fundus examination, since increased pressure can cause pathological changes in this area and lead to vision problems. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography can also be used using a fundus camera.
Laboratory diagnosis
The hypertension exam includes laboratory tests. It will be necessary to carry out blood tests: general and biochemical (tests for the level of creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose in the blood), as well as a general urine analysis. Other tests may be requested.
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). To this end, measures are being taken to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient must be prepared for lifelong antihypertensive therapy. The course of 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 to non-drug therapy methods only. In any case, non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension is very important.
A patient with hypertension should periodically measure blood pressure and follow all instructions of the treating doctor.
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 to complain of discomfort.
Drug therapy
Medications must be selected by a doctor, who does so taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle change
First of all, you need:
- quit smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to reduce weight to normal;
- reduce salt intake to 5 g/day;
- provide regular physical activity. The most beneficial are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increases 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.