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 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 young people, lower rates are normal, for people over 40 years old, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values that are higher than those indicated, then such pressure should be considered elevated. A sustained 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 blood moves are elastic, and when pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Also, when pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels goes into the capillaries. That is, the body has an effective mechanism for normalizing pressure. Hypertension develops when, for some reason, this mechanism ceases to function.
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 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 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 strokes);
- nephrosclerosis, renal 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, 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 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 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 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 on its own, without medical help.
Symptoms of hypertension
High blood pressure can manifest itself as symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- headaches;
- decreased performance.
However, these symptoms may be perceived by a person simply as signs of fatigue. In addition, at 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 disruption of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys. 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 rises 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 rises 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 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. For diagnosis, the method of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be used.
It is of great importance to establish the cause that caused the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, treatment of hypertension cannot be effective enough. In order 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.
ECG
ECG is a basic test in cardiology. Allows you to identify heart diseases that are the cause or accompanying hypertension. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) can be used to take an ECG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography for hypertension provides the doctor with information about pathological processes in the patient’s heart. At 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, dilation of the left ventricle can be seen, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examinations
In case of persistent increase in blood pressure, ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as 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 lead to pathological changes in this area and cause vision impairment. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Biomicrography of the fundus using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnostics
Examination for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You will need to do blood tests - general and biochemistry (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 renal 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 needs to be prepared that antihypertensive therapy will be carried out for life. 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 only 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 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 selected 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 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;
- optimize nutrition (eat more greens, 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.