Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized by a persistent rise in blood pressure to high values due to a violation of the regulation of the body's blood circulation. Additionally, terms such as arterial hypertension and hypertension are also used to refer to this condition.
Medical statistics show that hypertension is one of the most common diseases today. It usually begins to progress in the population after age 40, but there is a risk of progression at any age. As a result, more and more diseases are beginning to be found in patients of working age. It should be noted that fair sex suffers several times more than men. But men have more severe hypertension because they are more likely to develop atherosclerosis in the blood vessels.
Intense mental or physical stress in the short term can cause your blood pressure to rise - this is absolutely normal. Increased blood pressure is observed for longer periods of time in the kidneys, endocrine glands, and many diseases during pregnancy. But in this case, high blood pressure is just one of the symptoms that indicate organ changes. In hypertension, elevated blood pressure is an independent, primary, painful process.
The pathogenesis of hypertension is an increase in the tension of the small arterial walls in vivo under the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors. As a result, they gradually narrow and blood flow in the affected blood vessels is disturbed. During this pathological process, blood pressure on the walls of the arteries increases, which can lead to further symptoms.
Etiology
The main cause of the development of hypertension is increased activity of the sympatho-adrenal system. The vasomotor center is located in the human medulla oblongata. From there, certain impulses travel along the nerve fibers to the wall of the blood vessel, causing the blood vessel to dilate or constrict. If this center is stimulated, then only the impulse will reach the blood vessel, increasing the tone of its walls. As a result, the lumen of the artery narrows.
Arterial hypertension is characterized by simultaneous elevation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This was observed under the influence of various unfavorable factors.
Exogenous risk factors:
- Severe nervousness is the most common cause of the development of arterial hypertension;
- Lack of motivation;
- Improper nutrition. Not following the dietary habits, eating a lot of fatty and fried foods;
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- smokes;
- Use of narcotic drugs.
Endogenous risk factors:
- heavy genetics;
- obesity;
- Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart;
- Increased blood viscosity (the heart cannot adequately distill through the blood vessels);
- Kidney disease, such as nephritis, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis;
- metabolic disorders;
- the presence of endocrine disorders;
- Increased calcium concentration in the blood;
- The effect of epinephrine on the heart in stressful situations;
- The concentration of sodium in the blood increases.
Classification
In all the time spent studying the disease, scientists have developed more than one classification of hypertension -- based on the patient's appearance, the cause, the degree of increased stress, the nature of the course of the disease, and more. Some have been outdated for a long time, while others, on the contrary, are used more and more frequently.
Degree of high blood pressure (by stress level):
- Best - indicator 120/80;
- normal - upper limit from 120 to 129, lower limit - from 80 to 84;
- Increase normal - upper limit indicator - from 130 to 139, lower limit - from 85 to 89;
- First-degree hypertension - SD from 140 to 159, DD - from 90 to 99;
- 2nd degree hypertension - systolic blood pressure index increased to 160-179, diastolic blood pressure index increased to 100-109;
- Third degree hypertension - systolic blood pressure over 140, diastolic blood pressure - over 110.
Hypertension stages according to the World Health Organization:
- Stage 1 hypertension - increased pressure but no changes in internal organs. It is also called transient. Stable pressure after short rest;
- Stage 2 or stable. During this phase of high blood pressure, the pressure keeps rising. The major organs of the target are affected. During the examination, damage to the heart, fundus blood vessels, and kidneys can be noticed;
- Stage 3 or hardened. Hypertension at this stage is characterized not only by marked increases in DM and DD, but also by marked sclerotic changes in blood vessels in the kidneys, heart, brain, and fundus. Dangerous complications can occur - stroke, coronary artery disease, vascular retinopathy, heart attack, etc.
Forms of the disease (depending on the blood vessels of the affected organs):
- renal form;
- Heart-shaped;
- brain shape;
- mix.
Types of high blood pressure:
- Benign and slow flow. In this case, symptoms of pathological progression can appear gradually over a 20-year period. Exacerbation and remission phases were observed. Low risk of complications (prompt treatment);
- vicious. The pressure rose sharply. This form of high blood pressure is actually not suitable for treatment. Often, the pathology accompanies various kidney diseases.
It is worth noting that, often accompanied by hypertension 2 degrees 3, patients with hypertensive crisis. This is extremely dangerous not only to human health, but also to his life. Clinicians distinguish between the following types of crises:
- autonomic nerves. The patient is hyperactive and very agitated. Such symptoms of hypertension are: excessive sweating, tremors in the upper extremities, tachycardia, and profuse urination;
- water. In this case, the patient is lethargic and his responses are suppressed. Have muscle weakness, swelling of the face and hands, decreased diuresis, and persistently high blood pressure;
- twitch. This option is the most dangerous because of the high risk of dangerous complications. Notably, it is the least common. It is characterized by symptoms such as convulsions and impaired consciousness. Complications - cerebral hemorrhage.
symptom
The symptoms of the disease depend directly on the stage of hypertension observed in the patient.
neurogenic
Elevated blood pressure is usually observed in the context of severe psycho-emotional stress or increased physical exertion. At this stage, there may be no signs of pathology at all. Sometimes patients begin to complain of heart pain, irritability, headache, tachycardia, and a heaviness in the back of the head. Metrics for SD and DD are increasing, but they are easily standardized.
hardening
The clinical presentation shown is complemented by the following symptoms:
- increased headache;
- Dizziness;
- A feeling of blood rushing to the head;
- did not sleep well;
- Periodic numbness of the fingers of the extremities;
- rapid fatigue;
- "Flies" are in sight;
- Blood pressure continues to rise.
It is worth noting that this phase may last for several years, while the patient will become active and mobile. However, a violation of the blood supply of certain organs can lead to a violation of their function.
final
Usually at this stage, doctors find kidney failure and heart failure, as well as disruption of blood circulation to the brain. The outcome of the disease, as well as the development of complications, depends on the form of hypertension. Crises happen frequently.
With the cardiac form, patients gradually develop heart failure. Shortness of breath, cardiac projection pain, hepatomegaly, and edema occur. For the human brain form, severe headaches, visual disturbances will bother.
Hypertension and Fertility
Gestational hypertension is the most common cause of preterm birth or perinatal death. Often, high blood pressure in women is present before pregnancy and then simply activates because having a baby is stressful for the body.
Given the high risk to the mother and unborn child, in the case of a diagnosis of the disease, it is important to accurately determine the magnitude of this risk in order to address further pregnancy or termination of pregnancy. Doctors distinguish three levels of risk (according to the stage of arterial hypertension):
- Level 1 risk - pregnancy complications are rare and crises are rare. possible angina. Pregnancy is permitted in this case;
- Risk Level 2 - Indicated. Complications occur in 20-50% of cases. Pregnant women have hypertensive crisis, coronary insufficiency, and hypertension. show termination of pregnancy;
- Level 3 risk. Pregnancy complications occur in 50% of cases. Perinatal mortality was observed in 20% of cases. May be placental shedding, uremia, impaired blood circulation in the brain. The pregnancy was a threat to the mother's life and was therefore interrupted.
Patients who remain pregnant should make sure to see their doctor once a week so that he can monitor their condition. Compulsory treatment of hypertension. Such antihypertensive drugs are permitted:
- antispasmodics;
- diuretics;
- Sympathetic neuropathy;
- Clonidine derivatives;
- Rauve flower preparations;
- Ganglion blockers;
- beta-blockers.
Also, to treat ailments during pregnancy, doctors turn to physical therapy.
diagnosis
When the first signs of illness appear, it is important to contact a medical facility immediately to confirm or refute the diagnosis. The sooner it is done, the less risk there is for dangerous complications (damage to the heart, kidneys, brain) to progress. During the initial examination, the doctor must measure the pressure in the hands. If the patient is elderly, the measurement is also performed in a standing position. During the diagnostic process, it is important to understand the true cause of pathological progression.
A comprehensive plan for diagnosing hypertension includes:
- collect medical records;
- SMAD;
- urinalysis;
- blood biochemistry;
- measure the level of bad cholesterol in the blood;
- X-rays;
- electrocardiogram;
- check the fundus;
- Ultrasound.
treat
High blood pressure is treated in a hospital, so doctors can constantly monitor the patient's condition and adjust the treatment plan if necessary. It is important to normalize the patient's daily life, correct weight, limit the use of salt, and completely abandon bad habits.
To correct stress, the following medications are prescribed:
- Alpha-blockers;
- beta-blockers;
- calcium channel blockers;
- Diuretics. This group of drugs is especially important because it helps reduce sodium levels in the blood, thereby reducing swelling in the walls of blood vessels.
All these drugs should only be taken as prescribed by the attending physician. Uncontrolled intake of such funds will only make the patient's condition worse. These drugs are taken according to a certain regimen.
diet
In addition to taking medication, it is also important to adhere to a special diet during the treatment of high blood pressure. Patients with hypertension were assigned to table number 10. Principles of this diet:
- adding seafood to the diet;
- limit salt intake;
- partial nutrition;
- Limit carbohydrates and animal fats in your diet.
This pathological diet means restricting:
- Sahara;
- forced to make a living;
- Potato;
- spaghetti;
- Cereal dishes;
- Egg;
- animal fat;
- butter;
- Sour cream and more.
The No. 10 diet is complete and can be followed long-term. To improve the taste of your dish, you can add:
- Honey;
- Plum;
- acerbic;
- jam;
- cranberry
- lemon.
Diet requires attention not only during treatment, but also after treatment, so as not to cause the condition to worsen. It is worth noting that the diet is strictly tailored to each patient individually, taking into account his physical characteristics. IMPORTANT - During dieting, you need to consume no more than 1. 5 liters of fluids per day.
prevention
Preventing high blood pressure is simple. The first thing to do is to normalize your diet and live an active lifestyle. To keep your blood vessels elastic, you need to eat more vegetables and fruits and drink up to 2 liters of water a day. You can take vitamin preparations. In addition, preventing high blood pressure involves excluding smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
Stress should be avoided if possible, as stress is one of the predisposing factors for disease. Prevention of high blood pressure should be addressed early to minimize the risk of developing the disease.