According to medical statistics, hypertension is a frequent violation of the cardiovascular system. The development of hypertension negatively affects the vessels: it reduces elasticity, increases fragility. Such processes lead to internal bleeding. Often, persistent high blood pressure leads to the progression of life-threatening pathological conditions - cardiac ischemia, myocardial infarction or stroke.
Early diagnosis of hypertension, timely prescribed treatment allow the patient to avoid the manifestation of changes that can significantly worsen health indicators or lead to death. People whose age is approaching forty years or older should regularly check blood pressure values, have a blood pressure monitor at home, and seek medical help if other symptoms of the disease are detected.
Causes of hypertension
What can cause hypertension in a person? What factors can cause its progress? Such questions are still relevant, they are asked to doctors by people interested in their state of health. Sustained high pressure values can cause certain changes in the functioning of the human body. The following diseases are affected:
- the state of the vessels accompanying atherosclerosis;
- heart failure;
- diabetes;
- drop;
- Rheumatoid arthritis;
- kidney pathology.
Other factors contribute to the development of hypertension. The cause of the disease is associated with:
- heredity - pathologies are more susceptible to children whose parents are diagnosed with hypertension;
- age (over 45 years) and sex (morbidity rate among men is higher);
- overweight and obesity arising for various reasons (functional disturbance of the body, low mobility, eating foods rich in animal fats, salt, regular overeating);
- skull and brain injury;
- cholesterol levels significantly elevated from the norm;
- hormonal changes in the female body during menopause;
- alcohol abuse, smoking, addiction to caffeinated beverages;
- complications after infectious or viral diseases;
- neglecting walks in favor of being indoors without fresh air.
High blood pressure accompanies patients for whom an unstable emotional state is the norm. Psychological discomfort, a fit of aggression or rage, being under stress, personal life tragedies increase the values of the indicators.
Classification and stages of the disease.
Two methods are used to classify a hypertensive problem: by etiology (cause of appearance) and by degree (stage) of development.
In a situation where the nature of high blood pressure cannot be reliably determined, the doctor will announce the diagnosis of primary (essential) hypertension. It is the most frequent, being 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 therapy.
Three stages of the process will differ in symptoms and severity: mild, moderate, and severe.
A mild degree of hypertension is characterized by an increase in blood pressure within the limits:
- systolic blood pressure of 140 to 159 mm Hg. St;
- diastolic blood pressure of 90 to 99 mm Hg. Art.
The course of the disease at this stage is not complicated by the pathology of the internal organs, it often occurs without pronounced symptoms.
With an average form of the disease, blood pressure values are in the range of 160–179/100–109 mm Hg. Art. The patient's heart, kidneys begin to suffer, the state of the retina changes, atherosclerotic plaques form in the vessels. In most cases, functional transformations occur imperceptibly.
Severe hypertension of the third degree combines diagnosable pathologies of the heart, brain, organs of vision, vascular system, and blood pressure indicators above 180/110 mm Hg. Art. There is a high risk of hypertensive crisis
Characteristic symptoms
Hypertension of the initial and middle stages may not cause symptoms, which is a dangerous factor for the patient. The main symptom indicating the development of a pathological condition is headache and dizziness. They accompany the patient often and for a long time, they occur due to spasm of the cerebral vessels, their narrowing. Additional signs are general weakness, fatigue, nausea, a feeling of tinnitus, a veil before the eyes.
A hypertensive person feels other symptoms of high blood pressure:
- decreased vision, feeling that the eyes are crushed;
- frequent nosebleeds;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- short-term loss of consciousness;
- instability of emotions, mood swings;
- development of insomnia;
- physical activity causes severe redness of the skin of the face;
- vomiting that has no nutritional cause;
- rapid pulse and heartbeat;
- change in memory, its deterioration;
- significant swelling of the extremities, face.
Signs of high blood pressure during the development of a severe degree of the disease are accompanied by complications of the heart and blood vessels: heart failure, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. Symptoms of hypertension are combined with kidney failure, changes in the blood supply to the brain, microstroke, stroke.
Symptoms of hypertension can be present in one patient in different combinations, have a different nature of manifestation: stable, strong, single. A special feature of the disease is that a person is dominated by high blood pressure.
Diagnosis
Sufficient grounds for a full examination of the patient in case of suspicion of the development of hypertension in him are three cases of increased pressure indicators within a month. This symptom cannot be ignored.
The patient is recommended to independently take measurements with a tonometer several times a day and record the results. In the conditions of a medical institution, such a diagnostic method as daily blood pressure monitoring is used. The instruments record pressure values during the day (every 15 minutes) and at night (twice an hour).
To determine the change in the functions of the body, they allow clinical blood and urine tests assigned to the patient. Indicators of cholesterol, protein, potassium, calcium, glucose, hemoglobin level, lipid spectrum are important in diagnosing the disease.
The presence of characteristic signs of high blood pressure and the development of hypertension is indicated by improper functioning of the heart muscle. The following methods are used for their study:
- auscultation - with the help of a phonendoscope, the sounds produced by the organ are heard, the rhythm of its work is observed;
- ecg - decoding of the electrocardiogram taken from the patient allows a detailed assessment of the functions of the heart for a certain period of time;
- ultrasonic and echocardiographic diagnostic methods reveal defects of the myocardium and valves, allow to correlate the sizes of the atria, ventricles;
- The Doppler study allows to evaluate the state of the vessels;
- arteriography - the result of monitoring tells about changes in the walls of the arteries, their damage, the location of cholesterol plaques.
If hypertension is suspected, an examination of the fundus is prescribed, ultrasound diagnosis of the kidneys and renal arteries, adrenal glands.
therapeutic measures
The treatment of hypertension involves the use of drugs that can keep the pressure close to normal. In cases where a secondary form of pathology is established, therapy involves getting rid of the disease - the main cause of increased pressure in the patient.
drug list
Eliminate high blood pressure values will help to take medication strictly according to the doctor's instructions. The first degree of hypertension does not require medical treatment, the patient is recommended to change the usual lifestyle and diet. Moderate and severe forms of the disease should be controlled using groups of drugs:
- diuretics (thiazides) contribute to the natural removal of fluid accumulated in the patient's tissues, reduce their swelling and increase vascular permeability;
- beta blockers correct heart rate;
- sartans - a single intake of funds can normalize blood pressure, maintaining the result obtained for a day;
- calcium antagonists correct cardiac activity, are prescribed for severe angina pectoris, arrhythmias;
- angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors dilate blood vessels, prevent their spasms;
- Alpha-adrenergic blockers improve the condition of peripheral vessels.
The doctor prescribes a certain drug or a combination of them for each patient, taking into account the general condition of the patient, concomitant diseases.
Provide first aid at home.
Cases of uncontrolled increase in blood pressure in a patient with hypertension are not uncommon. With a sudden deterioration in his condition, relatives are advised to immediately call an ambulance. Before your arrival, the following steps must be followed:
- eliminate panic in hypertensive patients, calm them down - a stressful situation helps to increase blood circulation, increases pressure;
- the condition can be improved by taking herbal sedatives (Corvalol, motherwort, valerian);
- it is important to comfortably accommodate a person, it is recommended that he sit in a comfortable position, lean on it, relax;
- it is required to apply a cold compress to the frontal region, while the legs should be warm (you can use heating pads or mustard plasters);
- an urgent intake of the drug recommended by the doctor is necessary;
The process of providing first aid is accompanied by the removal of blood pressure indicators (every 10 minutes), the measurement results must be recorded in writing, and then the sheet must be given to the doctors.
General prevention tips
Prevention of hypertension consists of a set of measures. Doctors advise changing lifestyle, diet and using folk experience to normalize the condition.
The medical institution will point out the exceptional harm to hypertensive patients from alcoholic beverages and smoking, and advise them to desist. Moderate physical activity, calm walks in nature, light work are shown.
Improving the condition of patients contributes to the transition to a special diet. Pickles and smoked meats, fried foods, fatty meats should be avoided, and fresh bread should not be eaten. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, dietary meat and dairy products, cereals (rice, buckwheat), legumes should be the main ingredients of the new menu. Salt, sugar and liquid patients need to consume in a limited way.
Folk methods of treatment, known for a long time, will not allow pressure to rise. Infusions and decoctions, based on medicinal herbs, bee products, vegetables or dried fruits, and other components, are individually selected in the required proportions.