According to medical statistics, hypertension is a common disorder of the cardiovascular system. The development of hypertension has a negative effect on blood vessels: it reduces elasticity and increases fragility. Such processes cause internal bleeding. Persistent high blood pressure often leads to the development of fatal pathological conditions: ischemia of the heart, myocardial infarction or stroke.
Early diagnosis of hypertension, timely treatment allows the patient to avoid the appearance of changes that can significantly worsen the health of the patient or lead to death. People over the age of forty should have their blood pressure monitored regularly, keep a blood pressure monitor at home, and see a doctor if other signs of the disease are found.
Causes of hypertension
What can cause hypertension in a person? What factors may contribute to its progress? Such questions remain relevant and are asked by physicians who care about their health. Continuous high blood pressure values can cause certain changes in the functioning of the human body. The following diseases are affected:
- vascular condition accompanied by atherosclerosis;
- heart problem;
- diabetes;
- gout;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- renal pathology.
Other factors contribute to the development of hypertension. The cause of the disease is associated with:
- heredity: pathologies are most susceptible to children whose parents have been diagnosed with hypertension;
- age (over 45 years) and sexual (the incidence is higher among men);
- overweight and obesity for various reasons (functional disorders, low mobility, animal fats, high salt intake, regular overeating);
- skull and brain injury;
- cholesterol levels rose significantly above normal;
- hormonal changes in the female body during menopause;
- alcohol abuse, smoking, caffeinated beverages;
- complications after infectious or viral diseases;
- to ignore walks in favor of being indoors without fresh air.
High blood pressure accompanies patients with unstable emotional state as the norm. Psychological discomfort, aggression or anger, stress, personal life tragedies increase the value of indicators.
Classification and stages of the disease
Two methods are used to classify a hypertensive problem - according to the etiology (cause) and stage (stage) of development.
In a situation where it is not possible to reliably determine the nature of high blood pressure, the doctor will announce the diagnosis of primary (primary) hypertension. The most common is observed in 95% of patients. The remaining 5% of people have a secondary form of the disease, which is an additional manifestation of other pathologies that require their treatment.
The three stages of the process will differ in symptoms and their severity: mild, moderate and severe.
A mild degree of hypertension is characterized by an increase in blood pressure within the limits:
- systolic blood pressure between 140 and 159 mm Hg. st;
- diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 99 mm Hg. Art.
At this stage, the course of the disease is not complicated by pathology of the internal organs, often occurs without obvious symptoms.
With the moderate form of the disease, blood pressure values are in the range of 160-179 / 100-109 mm Hg. Art. The patient's heart and kidneys begin to suffer, the condition of the retina changes, atherosclerotic plaques form in the arteries. In most cases, functional transformations occur imperceptibly.
Severe tertiary hypertension combines diagnostic pathologies of the heart, brain, visual organs, vascular system and blood pressure above 180/110 mm Hg. Art. The risk of hypertensive crisis is high
Characteristic symptoms
Early and secondary hypertension may not cause symptoms, which is a risk factor for the patient. The main symptoms that indicate the development of a pathological condition are headache and dizziness. They accompany the patient often and for a long time, due to spasm of cerebral vessels, their narrowing. Additional symptoms are general weakness, fatigue, nausea, a feeling of tinnitus, a covering in front of the eyes.
A hypertensive person experiences other symptoms of high blood pressure:
- decreased vision, feeling the eyes are crushed;
- frequent nosebleeds;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- short-term loss of consciousness;
- emotional instability, mood swings;
- development of insomnia;
- physical activity causes severe redness of the facial skin;
- vomiting without a cause of malnutrition;
- rapid pulse and heartbeat;
- memory changes, its deterioration;
- significant swelling of the extremities, face.
Symptoms of high blood pressure during the development of severe disease are accompanied by complications of the heart and blood vessels: heart failure, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. Symptoms of hypertension are associated with renal failure, changes in blood supply to the brain, micro-strokes, strokes.
Symptoms of hypertension can occur in different combinations in the patient, have a different nature of manifestation: stable, strong, one-time. A special feature of the disease is the predominance of high blood pressure in a person.
Diagnostics
In case of suspicion of the development of hypertension, three cases of increased blood pressure within a month are sufficient grounds for a complete examination of the patient. This symptom cannot be ignored.
The patient is advised to take an independent measurement using a tonometer several times a day and record the results. A diagnostic method is used as a daily monitoring of blood pressure in a medical facility. The instruments record pressure values during the day (every 15 minutes) and at night (twice an hour).
Clinical blood and urine tests prescribed to the patient allow to determine changes in body functions. Cholesterol, protein, potassium, calcium, glucose, hemoglobin levels, lipid profile are important for the diagnosis of the disease.
Symptoms characteristic of the development of high blood pressure and hypertension are indicated by malfunction of the heart muscle. The following methods are used to study it:
- auscultation - with the help of a phonendoscope sounds made by the body are heard, the rhythm of its work is observed;
- ECG - decoding of the electrocardiogram taken from the patient allows a detailed assessment of heart function over a period of time;
- Ultrasound and echocardiographic diagnostic methods detect defects of the myocardium and valves, allow to coordinate the size of the atria and ventricles;
- Doppler examination allows to assess the condition of the vessels;
- Arteriography - the results of monitoring provide information about changes in the walls of blood vessels, their damage, the location of cholesterol plaques.
If hypertension is suspected, examination of the fundus, ultrasound diagnosis of the kidneys and renal arteries, adrenal glands are prescribed.
Therapeutic measures
Treatment of hypertension involves the use of drugs that can keep blood pressure close to normal. In cases where a secondary form of pathology is established, therapy involves getting rid of the disease, which is the main cause of increased blood pressure in the patient.
List of drugs
Eliminating high blood pressure will help you take medication seriously as directed by your doctor. The first degree of hypertension does not require medical treatment, the patient is advised to change his lifestyle and regular diet. Moderate and severe forms of the disease should be managed using drug groups:
- Diuretics (thiazides) help to naturally remove fluid accumulated in the tissues of the patient, reduce their swelling, resulting in increased vascular patency;
- beta-blockers regulate heart rate;
- sartans - a single dose, able to normalize blood pressure by keeping the result for a day;
- calcium antagonists correct heart function, are prescribed for severe angina pectoris, arrhythmias;
- angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors dilate blood vessels, preventing their spasms;
- Alpha-adrenergic blockers improve the condition of peripheral blood vessels.
The doctor prescribes a specific drug or combination of drugs for each patient, taking into account the general condition of the patient, the accompanying diseases.
Providing first aid at home
It is not uncommon for an uncontrolled increase in blood pressure in a patient with hypertension. In case of sudden deterioration of the condition, it is recommended to call an ambulance immediately to relatives. The following steps must be taken before his arrival:
- relieve panic in hypertensive patients, calm it down: stress helps to increase blood circulation, increase blood pressure;
- The condition can be improved by taking herbal sedatives (Corvalol, motherwort, valerian);
- it is important to place a person comfortably, he is advised to sit, lean, relax in a comfortable position;
- apply a cold compress to the frontal area, feet should be warm (you can use heating pads or mustard plasters);
- urgent medication prescribed by a doctor is required;
The process of first aid is accompanied by the removal of blood pressure readings (every 10 minutes), the results of the measurements should be recorded in writing, and then the sheet should be handed over to doctors.
General Prevention Tips
Prevention of hypertension consists of a number of measures. Doctors recommend changing your lifestyle, diet and using folk practices to normalize the situation.
The medical institution will note the exceptional harm of alcohol and smoking for hypertensive patients and will advise them to give up. Moderate physical activity, leisurely walks in nature, light work are shown.
Improving the condition of patients helps in the transition to a special diet. Avoid pickled and smoked meats, fried foods, fatty meats, and eat fresh bread. Vegetables, fruits, greens, dietary meat and dairy products, cereals (rice, buckwheat), legumes should be the main ingredients of the new menu. Patients should limit salt, sugar and fluid intake.
Long-known folk remedies will not allow the increase in blood pressure. Infusions and decoctions based on herbs, bee products, vegetables or nuts and other components are selected individually in the required proportions.