The fact that there is a diagnosis of hypertension is thought only when there is a persistent increase in blood pressure in the face or frequent jumps occur. At the same time, the different stages of hypertension manifest themselves with different strengths. In the early stages of the disease, people are often unaware that problems are developing. Sometimes even a slight increase in temperature is given more attention than a violation of the condition when arterial hypertension develops. The types of pathology differ in the strength of the manifestation of symptoms and the presence of concomitant disorders in the body. Indeed, even in the absence of obvious signs, high blood pressure is no less dangerous than when it is supplemented by various disorders in the body. Signs of hypertension include: trembling of the limbs, nausea, headaches, flies before the eyes. All symptoms develop due to problems with blood flow to the internal organs.
stages of hypertension
The clinic of hypertension, according to the effect on the whole body and the strength of the accompanying symptoms, is classified into stage and severity. There are 3 stages. The division into stages helps the doctor to systematize the obtained diagnostic data and choose the right tactics to correct the patient's condition.
1 stage
The level of blood pressure in the first stage of hypertension does not exceed 159/99. This increase can persist for several days. Rest will help normalize blood pressure, eliminating stress. With further progression of the pathology, it will not be so easy to restore the pressure norm.
At this stage of the development of the disease, there are no signs that it has an effect on the target organs. For this reason, high blood pressure is usually asymptomatic. Only sometimes sleep is disturbed, implicit pains of the head and heart can develop.
When conducting clinical diagnostics, a slight increase in the tone of the fundus arteries can be established. At the first stage of the disease, the risk of a hypertensive crisis is minimal, often this situation occurs only due to the impact of external circumstances on the body. The risk also increases in women during menopause. The initial stage responds well to treatment. For this, a lifestyle change is usually enough. Medicines are not always needed. With timely therapy and strict adherence to the doctor's instructions, the prognosis will be favorable.
2 stages
This is the stage of active pathological changes in the vessels - severe hypertension. The pressure in the 2nd stage reaches 179/109. Resting does not restore your level. A person complains of excruciating headaches, shortness of breath on exertion, worsening of sleep, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
This stage is characterized by the development of the first signs of internal organs. The most common symptoms of severe hypertension are:
- signs of left ventricular hypertrophy;
- narrowing of the lumen of the retinal arteries;
- increased cholesterol in the blood;
- the presence of protein in the urine.
Stage 2 hypertension significantly increases the risk of dangerous complications that can lead to a stroke. Without constant medical treatment, it will not work.
3 stages
This is the stage of target organ disorders due to pathological changes in the arteries and impaired blood flow throughout the body. Very severe hypertension in the 3rd stage. The last stage of hypertension is the most severe and extensive disorders develop in the body affecting the target organs. The eyes, kidneys, brain and heart are the most affected. The pressure in the third stage is stable, it is difficult to normalize even with drug treatment. Often there are jumps up to 180/110 mm Hg. Art. and even more. The symptoms are similar to those that occur in the 2nd stage, but are also accompanied by pathological manifestations of the affected organs. Memory often deteriorates, heart rate is greatly disturbed, visual acuity decreases.
This stage is dangerous because it always affects the heart. Their contractility and impulse conduction in the myocardium are impaired.
Degrees
With an increase in blood pressure and the absence of the effect of the measures taken, it can be assumed that the disease is progressing. The optimal blood pressure level is 120/80. The norm for systolic pressure ranges from 120 to 129, and diastolic from 80 to 84. There is also a high normal pressure when a person feels well, up to 139/89 mm Hg. Art. In medicine, hypertension is classified into 3 degrees.
I grade
First degree arterial hypertension is mild, characterized by pressure drops and fluctuations from 140/90 to 159/99. The risk of a crisis in such a situation is minimized, there are no symptoms of dysfunction of other organs and the central nervous system. To suppress an attack, in addition to taking special pills, you need to relax a little, try to avoid stress, walks and positive emotions have a beneficial effect on health.
If the systolic pressure does not exceed 159, and the diastolic - 99 mm Hg. Art. , then the person is diagnosed with mild hypertension, the first degree. It is characterized by such signs:
- headaches that worsen with exertion;
- stabbing pain sensation in the left side of the chest, radiating to the shoulder blade and under the arm;
- dizziness that is so severe that it can cause fainting;
- rapid heartbeat;
- black flies;
- tinnitus;
- sleep disorders.
A person ceases to notice the listed symptoms if they develop constantly. An attack of hypertension can begin under the influence of stress, and with proper assistance it passes without consequences.
II degree
Hypertension of the second degree begins to develop more actively. The pressure level is already reaching 160/100 - 179/109. Signs of a hypertensive crisis develop: cold sweat appears, goosebumps appear on the skin, the skin on the face reddens.
Symptoms of the second degree of the disease include:
- transient cerebral ischemia - impaired blood flow to the organ;
- an increase in the concentration of creatinine in the blood;
- narrowing of the arteries in the retina;
- an increase in the size of the left ventricle;
- protein in the urine, which is found during the delivery of tests;
- persistent fatigue;
- nausea;
- pulsations in the head;
- swelling of the face;
- severe sweating;
- damage to internal organs;
- numbness of the fingers;
- blurry vision;
- crisis
Medications are not well suited to normalizing the patient's condition. Doctors pay attention not only to the level of pressure, but also to the rate of development of the disease. Second degree hypertension affects the kidneys. The patient almost always complains of malaise.
grade III
The third degree of hypertension is the most serious. When it occurs, vision drops sharply, memory worsens, tachycardia is frequent, and the risk of a hypertensive crisis is high. Complications of this condition include thrombosis, encephalopathy, aneurysm, failure of the kidneys and left ventricle of the heart, bruising throughout the body, and inflammation of the optic nerve. The pathology is irreversible. With hypertension of the third degree, the patient necessarily needs external help and care. The main signs of hypertension are:
- arrhythmia;
- gait instability;
- significant visual impairment;
- violation of blood flow in the brain, causing paresis and paralysis;
- seizures, accompanied by confusion and slurred speech;
- sharp pain in the heart;
- expectoration of blood;
- mobility limitation and self-service capacity;
- inability to communicate properly.
These symptoms indicate the progression of hypertension and the involvement of new organs in the disease. Gradually, more irreversible complications develop.
Classification by risk factors
Hypertension, above all, is dangerous due to its multiple and often irreversible complications. Most patients are disabled or die not specifically from high blood pressure, but from the acute disturbances in other organs that it causes.
The most dangerous conditions are ischemic necrosis, cerebral hemorrhage, heart attack, kidney failure. To prevent various complications associated with dysfunction of other organs, the degree of risk is determined by the doctor during the examination. Risk levels are indicated by numbers from 1 to 4. It turns out that the diagnosis contains information about the degree and risk of damage, for example, GB grade 2, risk 4.
Low risk (negligible)
This risk indicator for the development of complications of hypertension is seen in women under 65 years of age and men under 55 years of age with mild stage 1 hypertension. Over the next 10 years, only 15% of people develop heart disorders and extra vascular vessels due to hypertension. These patients are often seen by general practitioners, since there is no point in visiting a cardiologist and implementing serious treatment.
When minor risks still remain, a person needs to make lifestyle changes in the next 6 months. This will lead to positive developments. If there are no results and a lowering of blood pressure cannot be achieved, it is recommended to change the tactics of patient management and implement drug therapy.
Medium risk
This group of patients includes hypertensive patients, whose blood pressure indicators do not exceed 179/110. As a rule, these people have 1 - 2 risk factors of the following:
- of smoking;
- genetics;
- obesity;
- high concentration of cholesterol;
- lack of physical activity;
- impaired glucose tolerance.
Over the next 10 years, dangerous cardiovascular pathologies develop in 20% of cases. Organizing a proper lifestyle is an integral part of maintaining health. Within 3 to 6 months, medications may not be prescribed so that the patient can regain as much health as possible through lifestyle changes.
high risk
This risk group includes patients with indicators of 179/110 or more in the presence of more than 2 predisposing factors. In addition, a high risk is established for people with target organ damage, diabetes mellitus, retinal vascular disorders, and atherosclerosis.
There may also be no risk factors, but people with stage 3 hypertension are still at high risk. They should be treated by a cardiologist. The risk of complications is 30%. Normalization of lifestyle is used only as an additional tactic against the background of taking specially selected drugs. The choice of the most effective drugs should be made as soon as possible.
Treatment Approaches
The main goals of treating hypertension is to reduce pressure and prevent consequences. Complete recovery is impossible, but proper staging and treatment help stop the active progression of the pathology and minimize the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Drug therapy usually involves the use of antihypertensive drugs that inhibit the production of norepinephrine and its vasomotor activity. At the same time, the appointment of diuretics, antiplatelet, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and sedative agents is required. In the absence of the expected result, a combined effect of several antihypertensive drugs is carried out at once.
In a hypertensive crisis, it is required to reduce the pressure within an hour after the attack, otherwise the risks of dangerous complications and death increase. In such a situation, antihypertensive drugs are used by injection or drip.
Regardless of the degree and stage of dysfunction of the body, an important method of therapy is the normalization of nutrition, the observance of a special diet. The diet necessarily includes foods enriched with magnesium, potassium, vitamins. It is required to limit the use of salt, give up alcohol, fried and fatty foods. With obesity, the daily caloric content of the diet decreases, sugar, cakes and other confectionery products are prohibited.
People with hypertension benefit from moderate physical activity: exercise therapy, swimming, walking. Therapeutic massage also has a good effect on well-being with hypertension. Smoking is strictly prohibited, resistance to stress must be developed with the help of psychotherapeutic practices and relaxation techniques.
The effectiveness of complex therapy is evaluated according to several criteria:
- Short-term goals are pressure normalization to a level where the patient feels comfortable.
- The medium-term objectives are to prevent the appearance and active development of pathologies in the target organs.
- The long-term goals are to prevent complications and prolong the life of the patient.
Hypertension is a much easier disease to prevent than to fight it throughout life, trying to alleviate the symptoms and avoid a systematic worsening of the condition. The earlier the diagnosis is made and the stage of hypertension determined, the more effective the treatment will be.