Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is a condition characterized by stable, ie, elevated blood pressure detected by repeated measurements. Along with many diseases, it is considered a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications of the cardiovascular system, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension as the main cause of the pathology under consideration requires medication to normalize the patient's lifestyle and nutrition.
Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from those around them. According to statistics, high blood pressure is observed in 20-30% of the adult population on earth.
The disease is ubiquitous and is a leading cause of death in many countries. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - the disease is diagnosed as isolated - primary arterial or essential hypertension. And it occurs in only one in 10 patients. The disease develops on the background of diseases of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.
What is arterial hypertension
A chronic disease characterized by persistent or periodic increases in stress. Physicians in almost all developed countries have labelled the disease a 21st century epidemic. It is detected in every other elderly person in Europe and the United States. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of the onset is impressive and alarming. Despite major breakthroughs in the treatment of older adults in recent decades, it remains an insidious and dangerous disease. This is because initial hypertension is asymptomatic. But the disease can do significant damage to health -- it depletes the cardiovascular system. It is important that people at risk do not neglect prevention and treatment.
Causes and symptoms of high blood pressure
The causes of pathology are different. Many times, doctors can't find them at all. Especially essential hypertension. But the cause of somatic (secondary) arterial hypertension can be determined. It occurs in 10% of people with high blood pressure. main reason
- kidney damage or glomerulonephritis;
- renal artery stenosis;
- congenital aortic stenosis;
- increase the function of internal glands, especially the thyroid;
- On the background of adrenal tumors, malignant hypertension is formed;
- alcoholism:
- Medicinal - developed during long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.
symptoms of high blood pressure
Treatment in the initial stages is complicated by the fact that the disease has no specific symptoms. Many patients are unaware of the existence of the disease. They have no complaints about their health and they live an active lifestyle. Although they occasionally experience weakness, dizziness and mild nausea.
Despite the serious consequences, many people do not take this disease seriously and neglect prevention and treatment. In the early stages, the development of the disease can be stopped. Complaints from patients arise when the "target" is compromised. The function of these organs depends on blood pressure. Complications of this disease are most commonly found in the heart and blood vessels.
There are some symptoms, although not specific, that suspect arterial hypertension. It was weak, flies in sight, numbness in the limbs. All these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is headache.
Degree and stage of high blood pressure
- Mild or first time - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
- Boundary Lines or Seconds - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Major or Third Degree - 180 and above / 110+.
Assign another form of disease. This is systolic isolated hypertension. Her metrics are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.
As blood pressure rises, target organs are affected first. According to the pathological changes, the disease is divided into several stages:
- 1 - No modification of target organs was observed.
- 2 - Variations are established in several organs.
- Stage 3 - Document relevant clinical conditions.
Risk factors for developing high blood pressure
- age. The disease is most common in women over the age of 65 and men over the age of 55.
- Cholesterol levels above 6. 5 mmol per liter.
- Genetic diseases of the cardiovascular system are on the rise.
- long-term smoking.
- presence of diabetes.
- High blood pressure develops with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
All risk factors were divided into two groups. Correctable - Can be eliminated. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Uncorrectable - these are those unaffected by medicine - genetics and age differences. In this case, in order not to cause the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow nutritional and lifestyle recommendations.
high blood pressure in women
different from menswear. First, there are diseases that are not documented in the strong half of humans, such as high blood pressure during menopause and pregnancy. Second, according to statistics, 41% of women have pathology. Therefore, vascular hypertension is more often a weaker problem. In the beautiful half, the disease is more difficult. Blood pressure readings are usually high. Although in younger women, the disorder is less well documented.
Pathology coexists with other diseases and aggravates its course. As a result, women develop a host of diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, varicose veins and metabolic disorders. All of these complicate the treatment process.
The role of women in society has changed. In addition to housework and raising children, she has the more instinctual responsibilities of a man on her shoulders. More and more women are engaged in occupations, business activities, and sometimes breadwinners. Hence the tension, stress and overload. This will not lead to better health, but will worsen it. Don't forget that susceptibility to high blood pressure is genetic. Therefore, women who have relatives whose blood pressure has skyrocketed should not forget prevention and regular check-ups.
Finally, high blood pressure in women can cause more trouble. It brings more complications, for example, older women often have strokes in the context of the disease. Heart is also sad. Women should not neglect treatment and should focus more on well-being. It is important not to miss the first sign of disease development.
high blood pressure during pregnancy
Usually, it appears in the second trimester. It appears at 20-21 weeks of gestation and may disappear after the baby is born. All women with hypertension are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. As maternal hypertension became evident, strategies for carrying out labor also changed, and the prescription of caesarean section was possible.
Ways to treat high blood pressure
It is carried out with the help of pharmaceutical preparations. They were able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms, but the disease was not cured. Nearly all treatments are aimed at reducing the risk associated with serious complications such as stroke and heart attack, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.
The focus of modern treatment is not to reduce stress, but to eliminate emerging pathological causes. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. In order to achieve really tangible results, treatment is strictly individualized, taking into account all the reasons for the development of the disease. The etiology of hypertension may be related to liver and biliary dysfunction. Then acupressure will be effective treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with impaired kidney function. It usually develops in the context of obesity. The patient is then prescribed a diet for weight correction and various physical therapy methods.
Medications to treat high blood pressure
Traditional treatment is carried out with medicines. Continuous monitoring of blood pressure is required. It must be in a steady state. For this, a drug group is used. Their actions are based on different influence mechanisms, but all help reduce stress.
- Potassium antagonists. They block calcium channels in the walls of blood vessels, and the gap increases.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. These drugs for high blood pressure block the synthesis of renin, which directly affects the increase in blood pressure.
- B-blockers. These pills for high blood pressure lower the heart rate.
- Diuretics. These are diuretics. They help reduce fluid in the body, thereby lowering blood pressure.
It is important to understand that even new medicines are strictly forbidden to be taken without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist can choose the right treatment.
high blood pressure diet
A pathologist recommends dietary changes. One of the tasks during the treatment of this disease is the normalization of body weight and metabolic processes in the body. To do this, follow some strict requirements. First, reduce your salt intake. Its main ingredient, sodium, prevents the body from losing water. This increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure. Second, they reject green tea and black tea. You don't have to drink coffee either. These products can cause vasospasm and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid greasy food. Remove butter and sausage from your diet.
It is best to choose products of plant origin. Eat more vegetable. They are rich in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Dried apricots, carrots, cabbage, and beets increase the levels of important minerals like magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle. Food should be in bits and pieces. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal portions. Rest no more than 3 hours between meals.
Finally, lifestyle is important for high blood pressure. Quit drinking and smoking. Eliminate all convenience and fast foods from your diet. Don't starve! With high blood pressure, a strict diet is not allowed, and stress is a no-no for the body.
Healing with folk remedies
The positive side of this class of drugs is that they have been tested over time and over a generation. Phytotherapy is a great help in healing. Use sedative herbs, which have a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, and peppermint. Lemon, honey and rose hips also help lower blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes that help treat high blood pressure:
- Mix honey with lemon and beet juice (1: 1 liquid ratio). Stir well and drink a third of a cup an hour after meals.
- Of all herbs, hawthorn is especially helpful. Take 10 drops of the tincture every morning.
- Great for lowering blood pressure - cranberry. A cup of this berry in the morning is enough.
- Lemon balm, peppermint and valerian were cooked in equal parts in a water bath. Five times a day, drink half a glass of this infusion. It has a calming and relaxing effect.
diabetes and high blood pressure
Pathology is interconnected. They have complementary effects and are designed to disrupt the function of multiple target organs at once. Tests for high blood pressure worsened by diabetes often show damage to blood vessels in the brain and retinas in the eyes, heart and kidneys. Where this disease develops, the leading causes of death are usually coronary heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.
It is important to recognize high blood pressure early in diabetes. This will allow you to prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent serious complications of the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
prevent high blood pressure
It applies to those who are among the blood relatives of the person with the disease, especially in the straight line (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After 30 years, even if there are no obvious signs of disease progression, regular check-ups are necessary. For those at risk, alcohol and smoking are prohibited. They need to follow a low-salt and low-fat diet. Physical activity is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, bike. You need to avoid shock and stress and live a disciplined lifestyle.