Hypertension is a disease of a chronic nature, which is characterized by a continuous increase in blood pressure in high numbers due to a violation of the regulation of blood circulation in the human body. Also, terms such as arterial hypertension and hypertension are used to refer to this condition.
Medical statistics are such that today hypertension is one of the most common diseases. It usually starts to progress in people after the age of 40, but there is a risk of it progressing at any age. So, more and more often the disease began to be detected in patients of working age. It should be noted that the fair sex suffers several times more often than men. But it is in men that hypertension is more severe, as they are more prone to the development of atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
Blood pressure can increase with strong mental or physical stress for a short time - this is an absolutely normal phenomenon. A longer increase in blood pressure is observed in a number of diseases of the kidneys, endocrine glands, as well as during pregnancy. But in this case hypertension is only one of the symptoms that shows changes in the organs. In hypertension, the increase in blood pressure is an independent, primary and painful process.
The pathogenesis of hypertension is such that under the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors, the tone of the walls of arterioles in the body increases. As a result, they gradually narrow and the blood flow in the affected vessels is disturbed. During this pathological process, the blood pressure increases in the walls of the arteries, which brings further symptoms.
Etiology
The main reason for the progression of hypertension is an increase in the activity of the sympathetic-adrenal system. The vasomotor center is located in the human medulla oblongata. From it, certain impulses go along the nerve fibers in the walls of the vessels, causing the vessels to expand or contract. If this center is in a state of irritation, then only impulses will come to the vessels that increase the tone of their walls. As a result, the lumen of the artery narrows.
Arterial hypertension is characterized by a simultaneous increase in systolic and diastolic pressure. This is observed under the influence of various negative factors.
Exogenous risk factors:
- severe nervous strain is the most common cause of the progression of arterial hypertension;
- hypodynamia;
- irrational feeding. Failure to follow the diet and eating large amounts of fatty and fried foods;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- smoking;
- the use of narcotic drugs.
Endogenous risk factors:
- heavy inheritance;
- obesity;
- atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart;
- increased blood viscosity (the heart cannot fully distill it through the vessels);
- kidney diseases such as nephritis, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis;
- metabolic disorder;
- the presence of endocrine pathologies;
- increased concentration of calcium in the blood;
- the action of adrenaline on the heart during stressful situations;
- increased concentration of sodium in the blood.
Distribution
Throughout the study of the disease, scientists have developed more than one classification of hypertension - according to the appearance of the patient, according to etiology, according to the level of increased pressure, the nature of the course, etc. Some have been obsolete for a long time, while others, on the contrary, are used more and more often.
Degrees of hypertension (according to pressure level):
- optimal - indicator 120/80;
- normal - upper from 120 to 129, lower - from 80 to 84;
- normal growth - upper indicators - from 130 to 139, lower ones - from 85 to 89;
- hypertension of the 1st degree - SD from 140 to 159, DD - from 90 to 99;
- hypertension of the 2nd degree - systolic pressure indicators increase to 160-179, and diastolic - up to 100-109;
- third-degree hypertension - systolic pressure rises above 140, and diastolic - above 110.
Stages of hypertension according to WHO:
- Stage 1 hypertension - the pressure increases, but there are no changes in the internal organs. It is also called transient. The pressure stabilizes after a short period of rest;
- stage 2 or stable. In this stage of hypertension, the pressure increases continuously. The target's major organs are affected. During the examination, it can be observed that damage to the heart, fundus vessels, kidneys;
- Stage 3 or sclerotic. This stage of hypertension is characterized not only by a critical increase in DM and DD, but also by pronounced sclerotic changes in the blood vessels of the kidneys, heart, brain and fundus. Dangerous complications develop - stroke, coronary artery disease, angioretinopathy, heart attack, etc.
Forms of the disease (depending on the vessels of the affected organs):
- renal form;
- heart shape;
- brain shape;
- mixed.
Types of hypertension:
- benign and slow flowing. In this case, the symptoms of the progression of the pathology may appear gradually over 20 years. Phases of both exacerbation and remission are observed. The risk of complications is minimal (with timely therapy);
- malignant. The pressure increases significantly. This form of hypertension is practically not suitable for therapy. As a rule, the pathology is accompanied by various kidney diseases.
It is worth noting that often with hypertension degrees 2 and 3, the patient has hypertensive crises. This is an extremely dangerous condition not only for human health, but also for his life. Clinicians distinguish the following types of seizures:
- neurovegetative. The patient is hyperactive and very anxious. Such symptoms of hypertension are manifested: hyperhidrosis, tremor of the upper extremities, tachycardia and abundant urination;
- hydropic. In this case, the patient is sleepy and his reactions are inhibited. There is muscle weakness, swelling of the face and hands, decreased diuresis, constant increase in blood pressure;
- convulsive. This option is the most dangerous, as there is a high risk of developing dangerous complications. It is worth noting that it is less common. It is characterized by such symptoms: convulsions and impaired consciousness. Complication – hemorrhage in the brain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the disease directly depend on the stage of hypertension observed in the patient.
neurogenic
An increase in blood pressure is usually observed against the background of severe psycho-emotional stress or due to increased physical strain. At this stage, there may be no signs of the presence of pathology at all. Sometimes patients begin to complain of pain in the heart, nervousness, headache, tachycardia, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head. SD and DD indicators are increasing, but they can easily be normalized.
sclerotic
The indicated clinical picture is complemented by the following symptoms:
- increased headache;
- dizziness;
- the sensation of a rush of blood to the head;
- bad sleep;
- periodic numbness of the fingers in the limb;
- rapid fatigue;
- "flies" before the eyes;
- constant increase in blood pressure.
It is worth noting that this stage can progress for several years and at the same time patients will be active and mobile. But a violation of the blood supply to certain organs leads to a violation of their functioning.
final
Usually at this stage, doctors detect kidney and heart failure, as well as a violation of blood circulation in the brain. The outcome of the disease, as well as the development of complications, is determined by the form of hypertension. Crises often occur.
With a cardiac form, the patient gradually progresses to heart failure. Shortness of breath, pain in the projection of the heart, hepatomegaly, edema appear. With the shape of a person's brain, severe headaches, visual impairments are concerned.
Hypertension and childbirth
Hypertension during pregnancy is the most common cause of premature birth or perinatal fetal death. Usually, a woman's hypertension exists before the beginning of pregnancy and then it is simply activated, because the birth of a child is a kind of stress for the body.
Given the high risk for the mother and the unborn child, in the case of diagnosing a disease, it is important to accurately determine the degree of this risk in order to resolve the issue of pregnancy or further termination of pregnancy. Doctors distinguish three degrees of risk (based on the stage of arterial hypertension):
- 1 degree of risk - pregnancy complications are minimal, seizures rarely develop. Possible angina. Pregnancy in this case is allowed;
- 2 degree of danger - expressed. Complications develop in 20-50% of cases. A pregnant woman has hypertensive crises, insufficiency of coronary heart vessels, high blood pressure. Termination of pregnancy is indicated;
- 3 degrees of danger. Pregnancy complications occur in 50% of cases. Perinatal mortality is observed in 20% of cases. Perhaps detachment of the placenta, uremia, impaired blood circulation in the brain. The pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's life, so it is terminated.
Patients who become pregnant should make sure to visit the doctor once a week so that he can monitor their condition. Mandatory treatment of hypertension. The use of such antihypertensive drugs is allowed:
- antispasmodics;
- Saluretics;
- sympatholytics;
- clonidine derivatives;
- rauwolfia preparations;
- ganglioblockers;
- beta blockers.
Also, to treat the disease during pregnancy, doctors turn to physiotherapy.
Diagnosing
When the first signs of a disease appear, it is important to immediately contact a medical institution to confirm or reject the diagnosis. The sooner this is done, the less the risk of developing dangerous complications (damage to the heart, kidneys, brain). During the initial examination, the doctor must measure the pressure in both hands. If the patient is elderly, then the measurements are also done in the standing position. During the diagnosis, it is important to clarify the true cause of the progression of the pathology.
A comprehensive plan for diagnosing hypertension includes:
- collection of anamnesis;
- SMAD;
- Urine analysis;
- blood biochemistry;
- determining the level of bad cholesterol in the blood;
- X-Ray;
- ECG;
- examination of the fundus;
- ultrasound.
Treatment
Treatment of hypertension is carried out in the hospital, so that doctors can constantly monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the treatment plan. It is important to normalize the patient's daily routine, correct his weight, limit the use of table salt and completely abandon bad habits.
To correct the pressure, the following drugs are prescribed:
- alpha blockers;
- beta-blockers;
- calcium channel blockers;
- diuretics. This group of drugs is particularly important, as it helps to reduce the level of sodium in the blood, thus reducing the swelling of the walls of the blood vessels.
All these drugs should be taken only as prescribed by the attending physician. Uncontrolled receipt of such funds can only worsen the patient's condition. These drugs are taken according to a certain schedule.
diets
During the treatment of hypertension, in addition to taking medications, it is important to adhere to a special diet. With hypertension, the patient is assigned table number 10. The principles of such a diet:
- add seafood to the diet;
- limit salt intake;
- partial feeding;
- restriction of carbohydrates and animal fats in the diet.
The diet for this pathology implies a restriction:
- Sahara;
- of bread;
- potatoes;
- pasta;
- cereal dishes;
- eggs;
- animal fats;
- ghee;
- sour cream and more.
Diet number 10 is complete and can be followed for a long time. To improve the taste of dishes, you can add to them:
- honey;
- dried plums;
- vinegar;
- blockage;
- BLUEBERRIES
- lemon.
The diet is indicated not only during the treatment, but also after it, so as not to provoke a worsening of the condition. It is worth noting that the diet is developed strictly individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of his body. An important point - during the diet you should consume no more than 1. 5 liters of liquid per day.
prevention
Prevention of hypertension is quite simple. The first thing you need to do is normalize your diet, as well as lead an active lifestyle. In order for the vessels to be elastic, you should eat more vegetables and fruits, drink up to 2 liters of water a day. You can take vitamin preparations. Also, the prevention of hypertension includes the exclusion of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
If possible, stress should be avoided, as it is one of the provoking factors of the disease. Prevention of hypertension should be treated as soon as possible in order to minimize the risk of developing the disease.