Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is a condition characterized by a steady increase, that is, an increase in blood pressure, detected by repeated measurements. Accompanied by many diseases, it is considered a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications from the cardiovascular system, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension, as the main cause of the pathology under consideration, requires taking medications, normalizing the patient's lifestyle and nutrition.
Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from people around them. According to statistics, hypertension is observed in 20-30% of the adult population of the earth.
This disease is found everywhere and in many countries it is the main cause of death. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - this disease is diagnosed as an independent arterial hypertension - primary or essential. And only every tenth patient is accompanied. This disease develops against the background of diseases of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.
What is arterial hypertension
Chronic disease, expressed in constant or periodic increase in pressure. Doctors in almost all developed countries mark this disease as an epidemic of the 21st century. In Europe and the USA, it is discovered in every second elderly person. Half of the cases are fatal. The incidence rate is impressive and alarming. And although there has been great progress in treating the elderly in recent decades, it still remains an insidious and dangerous disease. This is due to the fact that hypertension in the initial stages is asymptomatic. But the disease causes 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 hypertension
The reasons for the appearance of pathology are different. More often than not, doctors can't find them at all. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the causes of somatic (secondary) arterial hypertension can be proven. It occurs in 10% of patients with high blood pressure. The main reasons
- kidney damage, or glomerulonephritis;
- renal artery stenosis;
- congenital narrowing of the aorta;
- increasing the functions of the internal glands, in particular, the thyroid;
- against the background of tumors of the adrenal glands, malignant hypertension is formed;
- alcoholism:
- medicinal - develops during long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.
Symptoms of hypertension
Treatment at the initial stage is complicated by the fact that this disease has no specific symptoms. Many patients are not aware of the presence of the disease. They have no complaints about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although from time to time they have periods of weakness, dizziness and mild nausea.
Despite the serious consequences, many people do not take this disease seriously, neglecting prevention and treatment. In the early stages, the development of this disease can be stopped. Complaints in patients appear when "targets" are damaged. These are the organs whose functioning depends on blood pressure. Complications of the disease most often affect the heart and blood vessels.
There are symptoms, although not specific, for which arterial hypertension is suspected. This is weakness, flies before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is headache.
Degrees and stages of hypertension
- Light or first - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
- Borderline or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Heavy or third degree - 180 and above / 110+.
Allocate another form of the disease. This is isolated systolic hypertension. Its indicators are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.
With an increase in blood pressure, the target organs are the first to suffer. Based on pathological changes, the disease is divided into stages:
- 1 - modifications in target organs are not observed.
- 2 - changes are created in some organs.
- Phase 3 - associated clinical conditions are recorded.
Risk factors for the development of hypertension
- Age. This disease is most often diagnosed in women over 65 years old, in men over 55 years old.
- Cholesterol exceeds the content of more than 6. 5 mmol per liter.
- Hereditary diseases of the cardiovascular system in a straight ascending line.
- Prolonged smoking.
- The presence of diabetes.
- Hypertension develops with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
All risk factors are divided into two groups. Correctable - which can be eliminated. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Uncorrectable - these are those that are not subject to medical influence - heredity and poor age. In this case, in order not to provoke the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle.
Hypertension in women
It differs from men. First, there are such forms of the disease that are not registered in the strong half of humanity, for example, hypertension during menopause and during pregnancy. Secondly, according to statistics, 41% of women have pathology. Therefore, vascular hypertension is more often a problem of the weaker sex. In the beautiful half, the disease is more difficult. Blood pressure readings are usually higher. Although in young women, this disease is recorded less often.
Pathology coexists with other diseases and worsens their course. As a result, a woman has a whole "bouquet" of diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, varicose veins and metabolic disorders. All this complicates the treatment process.
The role of women in society has changed. On her shoulders, in addition to housework and raising children, lie those tasks that are more natural for men. More and more women are engaged in a career, business and sometimes support a family. Hence tension, stress and overload. And this does not lead to better health, but worsens it. Remember that the predisposition to hypertension is hereditary. Therefore, women who have relatives with high blood pressure in a straight ascending line should not forget about prevention and regular examination.
Finally, female hypertension causes many more problems. It gives more complications, for example, often women in old age develop a stroke against the background of the disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect treatment and be more attentive to well-being. It is important not to miss the first warning signs of a developing disease.
Hypertension during pregnancy
As a rule, it comes to light in the second trimester. It appears in the 20-21st week of pregnancy and may disappear after the birth of the baby. All women who have high blood pressure are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. With pronounced hypertension in pregnant women, delivery tactics also change, and a prescription for cesarean section is possible.
Methods for the treatment of hypertension
It is carried out with the help of medical preparations. They are able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms, but the disease is not cured. Almost all treatment methods are aimed at reducing the risks associated with the development of serious complications such as strokes and heart attacks, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.
Modern treatment is not focused on reducing pressure, but on eliminating the very cause of the developing pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. To achieve truly tangible results, treatment is carried out strictly individually, all causes of the development of the disease are taken into account. The etiology of hypertension may be associated with dysfunction of the liver and biliary tract. Then acupressure will be effective for treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with impaired kidney function. Often it develops against the background of obesity. Then the patient is prescribed a diet for weight correction and various methods of physiotherapy.
Medicines for the treatment of hypertension
Traditional treatment is carried out with medicines. Continuous monitoring of blood pressure is required. It must be stable. For this, groups of drugs are used. Their action is based on different impact mechanisms, but they all help to reduce pressure.
- potassium antagonists. They block the calcium channels in the walls of the vessel, while the gaps grow.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs in the treatment of hypertension block the synthesis of renin, which has a direct effect on increasing blood pressure.
- B-blockers. These hypertension tablets lower the heart rate.
- Diuretics. These are diuretics. They help reduce fluid in the body, which lowers blood pressure.
It is important to understand that even new drugs are strictly forbidden to take without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist is able to choose the right drug.
Diet for hypertension
Pathologists recommend changing the diet. One of the tasks during the treatment of this disease is the normalization of weight and metabolic processes in the body. To do this, follow a number of strict requirements. First, reduce your salt intake. Its main ingredient, sodium, prevents water from leaving the body. This increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure. Second, they refuse green and black tea. You don't even have to drink coffee. These products cause vasospasm and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Remove butter and sausage from the diet.
It is better to choose products of plant origin. Eat more vegetables. They are rich in fiber, which helps to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. Dried apricots, carrots, cabbage and beets increase the amount of such important mineral elements as magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and heart muscles. Food should be partial. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal parts. Breaks between meals no more than 3 hours.
Finally, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Give up alcohol and smoking. Eliminate all convenience foods and fast foods from your diet. Don't starve! With hypertension, strict diets are not allowed, stress is contraindicated for the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
The positive side of such drugs is that they have been tested over time and more than one generation. Phytotherapy is a great help in treatment. Sedative herbs are used, which produce a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, sedge, lemon balm, mint. Lemon, honey and rose also contribute to lowering blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes that help treat hypertension:
- Honey is mixed with lemon and beet juice (liquid ratio 1: 1). Mix well and drink a third of the glass one hour after meals.
- Of all the herbs, hawthorn is especially helpful. The tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning every day.
- Lowers blood pressure - blueberries. It is enough to eat a glass of this berry in the morning.
- Lemon balm, mint and valerian are steamed in equal amounts in a water bath. Five times a day, drink half a glass of this infusion. It has a calming and relaxing effect.
Diabetes and hypertension
Pathologies are interconnected. They have a mutually reinforcing effect that aims to disrupt the function of several target organs at the same time. Tests for hypertension aggravated by diabetes mellitus often show damage to the blood vessels of the brain and retina of the eyes, heart and kidneys. In this disease development scenario, the main cause of death is often coronary heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.
It is important for diabetes to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe the right treatment and prevent serious complications from the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Prevention of hypertension
It is suitable for those who have among their relatives the blood of people with this disease, especially in a straight line (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After 30 years, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations, even if there are no visible signs of the development of the disease. For people at risk, alcohol and smoking are contraindicated. They should follow a diet low in salt and fat. Physical exercises are important for prevention. You can run, walk, cycle. You should avoid shocks and stress, lead a sober lifestyle.