Hypertension(hypertension) is a persistent increase in blood pressure, which requires constant health monitoring, 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 the 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 released into the arteries with each heartbeat. That is why, when measuring pressure, two values are recorded: at the moment of contraction and in the state of relaxation. The larger (upper) value is called systolic pressure (systole means "contraction" in Greek), the smaller (lower) value is called diastolic pressure (diastole means "expansion"). Typically, the upper value should be around 120-140 mmHg. Art. , lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. For young people, lower rates are normal, for those over 40, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values higher than those indicated, then such pressure must be considered high. A sustained increase in blood pressure is called arterialhypertensionand the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of hypertension
Blood pressure fluctuates constantly and our bodies are well adapted to these fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which blood moves are elastic, and when pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Furthermore, when the pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels goes into the capillaries. In other words, the body has an effective mechanism for normalizing 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 several factors that can lead to a sustained increase in blood pressure. That:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high level of adrenaline in the blood (including as a result of stress);
- atherosclerosis (mainly aortic atherosclerosis);
- 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
High blood pressure 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 stroke);
- 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, need to monitor their condition and regularly measure their blood pressure.
The following procedure for measuring pressure is recommended. Blood pressure is measured sitting, after a five-minute rest. The measurement is carried out three consecutive times, with the lowest values being considered.
Depending on the pressure detected, 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 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 alone, 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. Furthermore, in the first phase, hypertension may 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, there is a sharp interruption of blood circulation in the most important organs - brain, heart, kidneys. The symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:
- severe headache;
- darkening of the eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina pectoris, sensation of increased heart rate;
- cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
Possible increases 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 tinnitus, heaviness in the head, mild headaches, poor sleep, decreased performance, and sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.
Symptoms of stage II hypertension
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. The blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Possible scams.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure is recorded in 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 24-hour blood pressure monitoring method (ABPM) can be used.
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 determine the degree of damage to internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory studies are carried out.
ECG
The ECG is a basic test in cardiology. It allows you to identify heart diseases that cause or accompany 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. In the first stage of the disease, echocardiography shows an increased 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 observed, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound exams
In case of a 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 have a fundus examination, as increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and cause vision impairment. Fundus examination is best performed with optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnosis
Examination for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You will need to do blood tests - general and biochemical (creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and blood glucose tests), as well as a general urine test. 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 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 for lifelong antihypertensive therapy. The course of treatment in 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-drug therapy for hypertension is very important.
A patient with hypertension should regularly measure blood pressure and follow all instructions from 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 him with complaints of feeling unwell.
Drug therapy
Medicines 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:
- 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 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.