Hypertension (arterial hypertension) is a hypertensive syndrome with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg. Art. and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg. Art. Common diseases of the cardiovascular system require prompt action. Prescribe treatment for high blood pressure after a thorough examination. Treatment includes symptomatic correction and combating the disease, whose symptom is elevated blood pressure.
some statistics
Hypertension occurs in 90-95% of people with elevated blood pressure. In other cases, we are talking about secondary symptoms: renal (3-4%), endocrine (0. 1-0. 3%). Less common are hypertension in neurological, hemodynamic, and stressful situations.
The social significance and danger of hypertension in increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack and coronary heart disease, which are the leading causes of death. If high blood pressure is not controlled, chronic kidney disease can develop, leading to kidney failure and disability.
When to treat high blood pressure
In order to prescribe an effective treatment, it is necessary to determine the degree of arterial hypertension. To do this, you need to measure your blood pressure and compare the metrics in the table.
| degree | Blood pressure value, mm Hg. Art. |
|---|---|
| one | 140-159 to 90-99 |
| 2 | 160-179 times 100-109 |
| 3 | 180 to 110 and above |
The most common signs of high blood pressure that need treatment are:
- A throbbing or pressure headache in the back of the head;
- Dizziness and flickering of dark circles and "fly";
- Palpitations, nausea and tinnitus.
The clinical presentation described is typical of elevated blood pressure. In practice, cases with an asymptomatic course are described. If high blood pressure is not controlled, the condition can negatively affect the function of internal organs. The first to suffer are the "target organs" such as the kidneys, brain, heart and blood vessels.
Major markers of internal organ damage in hypertension:
- Hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart.
- Violation of the diastolic function of the myocardium.
- chronic heart failure.
- Progressive atherosclerosis.
- myocardial infarction.
- encephalopathy.
- stroke.
- Glomerulosclerosis.
- Fundus vascular disease.
The stage of hypertension depends on the nature of the involvement of internal organs. Not observed during the first stage of "target organ" failure. Stage II is characterized by single or multiple lesions in the absence of AMI (myocardial infarction), chronic diseases of the urinary system, and stroke. Stage 3 is characterized by chronic kidney disease, stroke and heart attack.
The higher the blood pressure, the more symptoms there are, and the higher the risk of a vascular accident. For grade 3 hypertension, the likelihood of complications is high, with or without accompanying symptoms.
Basic Rules of Hypertension Treatment
The main task is to reduce the risk of complications. To achieve this, it is necessary to minimize negative factors and stabilize blood pressure as low as possible. The optimal value for most people is 140-90 mmHg. Art. ; For elderly patients - 140-150 at 90-95 mm Hg. Art. Here you need to be careful, as low blood pressure (low blood pressure) only increases the risk of vascular accidents.
Treatment of 1 degree high blood pressure
Strategies for treating arterial hypertension depend not only on the degree of blood pressure elevation, but also on the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. According to this, hypertension is 1 degree, and it is enough to eliminate negative factors by adjusting the lifestyle. If the pressure is not stable for 2-3 months, medication is required in this case.
Checklist of Corrective Actions Required for Hypertension 1 Degree:
- Quit bad habits (drinking, smoking).
- Eat a balanced diet – include magnesium and potassium-rich foods in your menu, limit salt (no more than 5 grams per day), and avoid marinades and fried foods.
- Don't forget your daily physical activity (running, swimming, walking 30 minutes a day).
- Body mass index was normalized to the optimal level (25 kg/m2).
Treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree hypertension
Treatment of high blood pressure in high blood pressure includes medication, which is prescribed immediately regardless of the risk of complications. Medication must be taken in the presence of 3 or more risk factors for cardiovascular complications.
Basic drugs for the treatment of high blood pressure:
- Calcium antagonists. Helps dilate peripheral blood vessels, reducing the risk of stroke, hypertrophy and blood clots. Contraindicated in severe heart failure and violation of intracardiac conduction.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Effective drugs for improving outcomes in patients with heart failure. These drugs prevent kidney disease and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Beta-blockers are used for hypertension, arrhythmia and coronary heart disease. Treatment with these drugs is indicated for patients with bronchial asthma, diabetes, and cardiac conduction disorders. Less popular drugs are alpha-blockers, imidazoline agonists, and renin inhibitors.
Hypertension Treatment Strategies
If you are following federal guidelines for the treatment of high blood pressure, you should only use one drug if there is a slight risk of complications. If single-component drug therapy does not work, only funds belonging to other groups can be added.
Patients with blood pressure values from 180 to 100 mm Hg. Art. A two-component drug therapy was initially recommended:
- Adrenaline blockers, calcium channel blockers (dihydropyridines), and ACE inhibitors;
- blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors;
- Adrenaline blockers, diuretics, and aldosterone receptor antagonists.
Many patients discontinue their high blood pressure medication due to the large number of pills they need to take every day, leading to serious consequences. To address this not-so-uncommon problem, pharmacology companies have started producing combination drugs that combine two high blood pressure drugs.
To increase the effectiveness of drug therapy for hypertension, other drugs - antiplatelet drugs and statins are prescribed. There is also a need for tablets that keep cholesterol values within an acceptable range - from 4 to 5 mmol/l. This approach eliminates the possibility of cardiovascular complications.
additional treatment measures
Often, medication is not enough. Treatment of hypertension must be considered comprehensively. Only in this case can you expect stable and fast results.
physical therapy for high blood pressure
This method of treating high blood pressure deserves special attention because it is very effective, especially in combination with medication.
The most successful forms of physical therapy for hypertension are:
- Electric sleep. A set of methods for affecting a patient's body with the aid of electrical energy. The advantage of this method is that it is beneficial to the central nervous system (CNS), endocrine gland function and metabolism. Strong current not only improves blood circulation, but also reduces bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Galvanized. Use low-frequency currents (up to 60-80 V) to stimulate physicochemical processes in tissues and cells. With the introduction of drugs, the process is called drug electrophoresis. For the treatment of hypertension, shocks are performed on the calf muscles, the interscapular area, and the collar area.
- Bath therapy. The procedure includes a Charcot shower, bathing with perozone, iodine, bromine, etc. The procedure has mild effects that are only shown in the early stages of the disease. Shown to prevent the development of stroke and heart attack.
- Magnetic therapy. Physical therapy procedures involve exposure to magnetic fields of alternating nature. Widely used for arterial hypertension 1 and 2 degrees. Electricity is sent to the brain through the back of the head, helping to stimulate blood flow and lower the heart rate.
- Dual Dynamic Therapy. The vegetative correction method has a therapeutic effect on the urogenital system and kidneys, and can reduce the synthesis of angiotensin (a hormonal substance that constricts blood vessels).
Physical therapy reduces drug doses, normalizes blood pressure and strengthens blood vessels. These procedures improve the work of the heart, preventing a sharp rise in blood pressure. The central nervous system is partially stabilized and contributes to the normalization of blood pressure. Excitement and tension stop, damaged nerve cells regenerate, and hypertension stops progressing. Cardiac and renal complications are minimized.
Surgical approach
To eliminate the cause of arterial hypertension, radiofrequency destruction of renal nerves is prescribed. The procedure is designed to eliminate autonomic stimulation of the "renal" mechanism that increases blood pressure.
An effective surgical treatment for hypertension is stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors. This result was achieved by electrical stimulation of the carotid artery. Although surgical treatment is effective, there is no information on safety. This approach to treating hypertension is only recommended for patients who are resistant to the three antihypertensive drugs.
gymnastics
For high blood pressure, gymnastics are the most effective. Due to the many years of experience of physicians with high blood pressure, it is possible to find any medication combined with dosed physical activity to be more effective.
Gymnastic exercises are aimed at reducing the dose of the drug in order to rule out the development of adverse effects. With daily training, it is possible for most patients to completely forgo the drug.
Neck gymnastics, used to treat high blood pressure, can improve the function of the spine. Regular exercise can help:
- eliminate muscle clips;
- Improve the nutrition of the intervertebral disc;
- Normalization of blood flow in the neck vessels;
- restore blood circulation to the brain;
- establish metabolic processes that support normal blood pressure;
- Increase the level of physical activity and burn excess calories accordingly;
- Activates the work of blood vessels by filling the heart muscle with oxygen.
Remember, only regular gymnastics make sense. The time and place to practice need to be determined in advance. Be comfortable and convenient during class without distractions and focus.
Gymnastics elements for treating high blood pressure:
- "Metronome". Alternately hold the neck on the left and right sides for 10 seconds.
- "heron". The chin is extended upward as far as possible and the arms are lowered. Every 10 seconds we take the starting position for 1-2 seconds.
- "spring". Hold the jaw in contraction and extension for 5-10 seconds.
- "sad". Alternately bend the head to one shoulder and then to the other.
- "frame". Place your left hand on your right shoulder and turn your head to the left. Then repeat right hand.
- "Fakir". Bring your palms together over your head, with your fingers facing up. The head should be turned to the sides every 10 seconds.
- "airplane". Extend your arms to the sides without bending your elbows. Every 10 seconds, the arm descends to a resting state.
Effective exercise for high blood pressure
Moderate physical activity works the central nervous system and strengthens blood vessels. Vascular tone quickly returns to normal, which helps improve well-being. For hypertension, only quantitative loading is allowed.
A set of exercises for hypertensive patients (we repeat each element 5-6 times):
- Feet shoulder-width apart and arms raised. We stood on tiptoe. Slowly lower your hands. Shake the brush and exhale.
- With both hands on the belt, rotate the pelvis in both directions.
- Run lightly in place for 1-2 minutes. To regain our breath, we switched to walking.
- With hands on the belt, we bend forward as we inhale, head back, and we straighten as we exhale.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands on the belt. On inspiration, we lean forward, and on exhalation, we lean elastically—backward, backward.
Simple exercise increases the capacity of the respiratory system by improving the elasticity of the blood vessels. Harmful products that build up in the body are excreted much faster, reducing the burden on the kidneys. The immune system is strengthened and lung ventilation is improved.
Physical activity is contraindicated in patients with blood pressure above 180/120 mm Hg. Art, also after the hypertensive crisis. Exercising at the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke is unacceptable. Absolute contraindications are atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal tachycardia, thrombosis, asthenia and angina attacks.
Classes should be interrupted if chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart rhythm disturbance occurs during exercise. In this case, it is necessary to see a general practitioner, who will make a diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
Treating high blood pressure in a nursing home
Treatment of high blood pressure is a responsible and lengthy process, and results can only be achieved by following the advice of your doctor. Self-medication can lead to the development of serious complications that are not only a threat to health but also life. Any measures must first be agreed and approved by experts.
Nursing homes have everything needed to perform diagnostic measures in the range of equipment for hypertension: ECG, ultrasound. The course of treatment is carried out using the following methods: physiotherapy, balneotherapy, halotherapy.