high blood pressure(hypertension) is a condition of continuously increased blood pressure, requiring continuous health monitoring as well as timely treatment. Otherwise, the risk of dangerous diseases and even death will increase.
The human vascular system is a transport network in which transport - blood - is in constant motion. For blood to move, it must be under pressure. Pressure is created by the contraction of the heart muscle, so a new portion of blood is introduced 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 blood pressure (systolic means "contract" in Greek), the smaller (lower) value is called diastolic blood pressure (diastolic means"dilation"). Normally, the above value should be around 120-140 mmHg. Art. , lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. For young people, lower rates are normal, for people over 40, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values higher than the specified value then the pressure is considered elevated. Continuously increased blood pressure is called arterial blood pressurehigh blood pressureand the patient is diagnosedhypertension (hypertension).
Causes of high blood pressure
Blood pressure fluctuates constantly and our bodies adapt well to those fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which blood moves are elastic and as pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Additionally, as pressure increases, blood from the arteries enters the capillaries. That is, the body has an effective mechanism to normalize pressure. Hypertension develops when for some reason this mechanism stops working.
Modern medicine still does not have an exact answer to the question of why high blood pressure occurs. However, there are several factors that can lead to persistent hypertension. This:
- overweight (obesity);
- diabetes;
- smoking, alcohol abuse;
- high levels of adrenaline in the blood (including due to stress);
- atherosclerosis (mainly aortic atherosclerosis);
- kidney disease;
- thyroid disease;
- taking certain medications (including hormonal birth control pills).
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. Hypertension in young people is often due to kidney disease or magnesium deficiency.
Stages and complications of hypertension
Arterial hypertension leads to increased stress on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. High blood pressure can cause diseases and conditions such as:
- heart failure, myocardial infarction;
- cerebrovascular accident (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
- nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
- visual impairment (due to circulatory problems in the retina).
Therefore, people at risk as well as those who have been diagnosed with hypertension need to monitor their condition and measure their blood pressure regularly.
The following pressure measurement procedure should be performed. Blood pressure was measured while sitting, after resting for five minutes. Measurements are performed three times in succession, the lowest values are taken into account.
Depending on the detected pressure, three stages of hypertension are distinguished.
Stage I hypertension Characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.
Stage II hypertension Diagnosed with pressures between 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art.
Stage III hypertension – This is a serious medical condition, blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. This pressure cannot normalize on its own without medical help.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can manifest as symptoms such as:
- weakness;
- dizzy;
- headache;
- reduced performance.
However, a person may consider these symptoms simply as signs of fatigue. In addition, in the early stages, hypertension may have no symptoms.
Separately, the sudden increase in pressure stands out -hypertensive crisis, can also be considered a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, a strong disruption in blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys. Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:
- severe headache;
- darken eyes;
- nausea and vomiting;
- angina, feeling of increased heart rate;
- cold sweat, weakness, shaking hands.
Symptoms of stage I hypertension
May increase blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mm Hg. Art. After rest, pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no additional symptoms, but tinnitus, heavy head, mild headaches, poor sleep, decreased performance and sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.
Symptoms of stage II hypertension
Pressure increases to values between 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art. In this case, the increase in pressure is more stable than in stage I. Stage II hypertension is manifested by headaches and angina, dizziness and hypertensive attacks may also occur. Blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Stroke may occur.
Symptoms of stage III hypertension
Blood pressure was recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. With this pressure, the likelihood of heart attack and stroke increases significantly. Irreversible changes occur in the functioning of the heart, brain and kidneys.
Methods of diagnosing hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed based on blood pressure measurements. For diagnosis, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be used.
It is important to determine the cause of the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, treatment of hypertension cannot be effective. To determine the causes of arterial hypertension, as well as determine the degree of damage to internal organs, various laboratory and instrumental studies are performed.
electrocardiogram
ECG is a basic test in cardiology. Allows you to identify heart diseases as the cause or accompanying hypertension. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) may be used to perform an ECG.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography in hypertension provides doctors with information about pathological processes in the patient's heart. In the early stages of the disease, echocardiography shows an increased rate of contraction of the left ventricular wall, while the size of the cavities and wall thickness remain within normal limits. In later stages, dilation of the left ventricle can be seen, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.
Ultrasound examination
In cases of persistently increased blood pressure, ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as ultrasound of the brachial and renal arteries may also be indicated.
Optical coherence tomography
If you have hypertension, it is important to examine the fundus, because increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and cause visual impairment. Fundus examination is best performed with optical coherence tomography. Fundus microbiology using a fundus camera can also be used.
Laboratory diagnosis
Testing for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You will need to have blood tests - general and biochemical (testing the levels of creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose in the blood), as well as a general urine test. Other tests may be required.
Methods of treating high blood pressure
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 achieve this goal, measures are being taken to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. Patients need to be prepared that antihypertensive therapy will be lifelong. The treatment process in stages II and III of the disease necessarily includes drug therapy. Treatment of stage I hypertension may not require medication but may be limited to nonpharmacological treatments. In all cases, non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension is important.
Patients with hypertension should regularly measure their blood pressure and follow all instructions from their doctor.
Which doctor treats high blood pressure?
Hypertension is treated by a cardiologist. Hypertension can also be treated by a general practitioner (GP or family doctor), who usually discovers high blood pressure when you contact him complaining of feeling unwell.
Treatment with medication
The medicine should be chosen by the doctor, who does this taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
Change your lifestyle
First of all, you need to:
- stop smoking;
- eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
- try to lose weight to normal levels;
- reduce salt intake to 5 g/day;
- Provide regular physical activity. The most beneficial are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
- increased resistance to stress;
- Optimize nutrition (eat more green vegetables, fruits, foods with a significant content of potassium, calcium and magnesium and, conversely, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and foods rich in protein). You should eat regularly.