Hypertension(hypertension) is a continuous 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.
Human vascular system is a transport network in which blood is constantly moving. Blood must be under pressure to move. The pressure is caused by the contraction of the heart muscle, as a result of which a new portion of blood is thrown into the veins with each heartbeat. Therefore, when measuring pressure, two values are recorded: at the moment of contraction and at rest. The larger (higher) 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. Low indicators are normal for young people, higher for people over 40 years old. If the pressure measurement shows values higher than those indicated, this pressure should be considered elevated. A continuous increase in arterial pressure is called arterialhypertensionand the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure is constantly changing and our body adapts well to such fluctuations. The walls of blood vessels are elastic and stretch when pressure increases. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Also, when the pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels moves into the capillaries. That is, there is an effective mechanism for normalizing pressure in the body. Hypertension develops when this mechanism stops working for some reason.
In modern medical science, there is still no clear answer to the question of why hypertension occurs. However, there are a number of factors that can lead to a persistent 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 (primarily 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 lack of magnesium in the body.
Stages and complications of hypertension
Arterial hypertension causes increased stress on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. It can cause diseases and pathologies such as hypertension:
- heart failure, myocardial infarction;
- cerebrovascular accidents (ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
- deterioration of vision (resulting from problems with blood circulation 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 measuring pressure. Blood pressure is measured while sitting, after five minutes of rest. The measurement is carried out three times in a row, the lowest values are taken into account.
Three stages of hypertension are distinguished depending on the detected pressure.
Stage I hypertension It is characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
II stage hypertension A blood pressure in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg was diagnosed. Art.
III stage 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 with the following symptoms:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- reduced performance.
However, these symptoms can be perceived by a person as just 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 be considered a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, there is a sharp violation of blood circulation in the most important organs - brain, heart, kidneys. Symptoms of hypertensive crisis:
- 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 mm Hg. Art. After rest, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no additional symptoms, but there may be tinnitus in the ears, heaviness in the head, mild headaches, poor sleep, decreased performance, sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds.
Symptoms of stage II hypertension
The pressure rises 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 stage I. Stage II 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 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 probability of heart attack and stroke increases significantly. Irreversible changes occur in the activity of the heart, brain and kidneys.
Methods of diagnosis of hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed based on blood pressure measurement. The 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) method can be used for diagnosis.
It is very important to determine the cause of 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.
EKG
ECG is the main test in cardiology. It allows to determine the cause of hypertension or accompanying heart diseases. Holter monitoring (24-hour EKG monitoring) can be used to record EKGs.
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 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 later stages, enlargement of the left ventricle accompanied by a decrease in contractility may be seen.
Ultrasound examinations
In case of continuous increase in arterial pressure, ultrasound of kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as ultrasound of brachiocephalic and renal arteries can be prescribed.
Optical coherence tomography
If you have hypertension, it is important to undergo a fundus examination, because increased pressure can cause pathological changes in this area and cause visual impairment. Fundus examination is best done using optical coherence tomography. Biomicrography of the fundus using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnostics
Screening for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You should do blood tests - general and biochemistry (tests for creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood), as well as a general urine test. Other tests may be ordered.
Methods of treatment of hypertension
The main goal of hypertension treatment is to reduce the risk of developing the most dangerous complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney failure and nephrosclerosis). For this purpose, measures are taken to reduce blood pressure to a normal level and reduce the sensitivity of target organs. The patient should be prepared for life-long antihypertensive therapy. In the II and III stages of the disease, the course of treatment necessarily includes drug treatment. Treatment of stage I hypertension may not require medication, but may be limited to non-drug treatment methods. In any case, non-drug treatment 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 will often detect high blood pressure when you contact them complaining of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
Medicines should be selected by the doctor who does this, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Lifestyle change
First you need:
- stop smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to reduce the weight to a normal level;
- reduce salt intake to 5 g per day;
- ensure regular physical activity. The most useful are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increase your resistance to stress;
- optimizing nutrition (eat more greens, fruits, foods with a significant amount of potassium, calcium and magnesium, and vice versa, reduce the consumption of vegetable oils and protein foods). You need to eat regularly.