Hypertension (arterial hypertension) is a syndrome of high systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg. Art. and/or diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg. Art. A common disease of the cardiovascular system requires timely action. Hypertension treatment is prescribed after a comprehensive examination. Therapy includes symptomatic correction and the fight against diseases whose symptoms are high blood pressure.
Some statistics
Hypertension occurs in 90-95% of patients with high blood pressure. In other cases, it is about secondary symptomatic manifestations: renal (3-4%), endocrine (0. 1-0. 3%). Less common is hypertension against the background of neurological, hemodynamic and stressful situations.
The social importance and risk 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 develops, leading to kidney failure and disability.
When should hypertension be treated?
To prescribe effective therapy, it is necessary to determine the degree of arterial hypertension. To do this, you need to measure blood pressure and compare the indicators in the table.
| diploma | Blood pressure value, mm Hg. Art. |
|---|---|
| A | 140-159 to 90-99 |
| 2 | 160-179 of 100-109 |
| 3 | 180 to 110 and above |
The most common signs of hypertension that require treatment are:
- throbbing or pressing headache in the back of the head;
- dizziness and tremors of dark circles and "flies";
- palpitations, nausea and tinnitus.
The described clinical picture is typical for the moment of increased blood pressure. In practice, cases of asymptomatic course of the disease are described. If high blood pressure is not controlled, then this condition negatively affects the functioning of the internal organs. The first to suffer are "target organs" such as the kidneys, brain, heart and blood vessels.
The main 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 of the kidneys.
- Angiopathy of fundus vessels.
The stages of hypertension are determined by the nature of the involvement of internal organs. In the first stage, damage to the "target organs" is not observed. The second stage is characterized by single or multiple lesions in the absence of AMI (myocardial infarction), chronic diseases of the urinary system and stroke. The third stage is characterized by manifestations of chronic kidney disease, stroke and heart attack.
The higher the blood pressure and the more symptoms appear, the higher the risk of developing vascular accidents. With grade 3 hypertension, the probability of complications is high, regardless of the presence of accompanying symptoms.
Basic rules for the treatment of hypertension
The main task is to reduce the risk of complications. To achieve this, it is necessary to minimize negative factors and stabilize blood pressure at the lowest possible levels. The optimal value for most is 140-90 mm Hg. Art. ; for elderly patients - 140-150 at 90-95 mm Hg. Art. You have to be careful here, because low blood pressure (hypotension) only increases the risk of vascular accidents.
Treatment of hypertension 1 degree
The tactics of treating arterial hypertension are developed not only by the degree of increase in blood pressure, but also by the possibility of developing cardiovascular pathologies. Accordingly, with 1 degree of hypertension, it is enough to exclude negative factors by adjusting the lifestyle. Drug therapy in this case is necessary if the pressure is not stabilized for 2-3 months.
The list of corrective measures that are necessary for hypertension 1 degree:
- Give up bad habits (alcohol, smoking).
- Balance the diet - include foods rich in magnesium and potassium in the menu, limit salt (no more than 5 g per day), refuse marinades and fried foods.
- Do not forget about daily physical activity (running, swimming, walking for 30 minutes a day).
- Normalize body mass index to optimal levels (25 kg/m2).
Treatment of hypertension in 2 and 3 degrees
Treatment of hypertension in high blood pressure includes drug therapy, which is prescribed immediately, regardless of the risk of complications. Taking drugs is mandatory in the presence of 3 or more risk factors for the development of cardiovascular complications.
Basic drugs for the treatment of arterial hypertension:
- calcium antagonists. Contribute to the expansion of peripheral vessels, reducing the risk of strokes, hypertrophy and blood clotting. Contraindicated in severe heart failure and in violation of intracardiac conduction.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Effective agents that improve prognosis in patients with heart failure. Medicines prevent renal pathologies and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Beta-blockers are prescribed for hypertension, which is combined with arrhythmia and coronary heart disease. Therapy with these drugs is indicated for patients with bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus and intracardiac conduction disorders. Less well-known drugs are alpha-blockers, imidazoline receptor agonists, and renin inhibitors.
Tactics for the treatment of hypertension
If you follow federal guidelines for the treatment of hypertension, then only one drug should be used if there is a slight risk of complications. If drug therapy with one component does not work, only then funds belonging to other groups are added.
Patients with blood pressure values from 180 to 100 mm Hg. Art. Initially, it is recommended to prescribe a drug therapy with two components:
- adrenoblocker, calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine) and ACE inhibitor;
- blockers, diuretics and ACE inhibitors;
- adrenoblocker, diuretic and aldosterone receptor antagonist.
Many patients, due to the need to take a large number of tablets every day, stop treating hypertension with drugs, which leads to serious consequences. To solve this not rare problem, pharmaceutical companies have begun to produce combination drugs that combine two drugs for hypertension.
To increase the effectiveness of drug treatment of hypertension, additional drugs are prescribed - antiplatelet agents and statins. Tablets are also needed that keep the cholesterol value within acceptable limits - from 4 to 5 mmol / l. This approach eliminates the possibility of complications from the cardiovascular system.
Additional therapeutic measures
Often, drug therapy is not enough. Treatment of high blood pressure should be treated comprehensively. Only in this case, you can count on achieving a quick result that will be sustainable.
Physiotherapy for the treatment of hypertension
This approach to the treatment of high blood pressure deserves special attention, because it is quite effective, especially in combination with drug therapy.
The most successful procedures for hypertension physiotherapy are:
- Electrosleep. A set of methods to influence the patient's body with the help of electricity. The advantages of this method are a beneficial effect on the central nervous system (central nervous system), the functioning of the endocrine glands and metabolism. Intense currents not only improve blood circulation, but also reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.
- Galvanization. The use of low-frequency current (up to 60-80 V) to stimulate physico-chemical processes in tissues and cells. With the introduction of drugs, the procedure is called drug electrophoresis. For the treatment of hypertension, the impact is carried out on the calf muscles, the interscapular region and the collar area.
- Balneotherapy. The program includes the Charcot shower, baths with perozone, iodine, bromine, etc. The procedures have a mild effect and are indicated only in the early stages of the disease. It appears to prevent the development of strokes and heart attacks.
- Magnetotherapy. The physiotherapeutic procedure involves exposure to a magnetic field of an alternating nature. It is widely used for arterial hypertension 1 and 2 degrees. The current is delivered to the brain through the back of the head, which helps stimulate blood flow and lower heart rate.
- Diadynamic therapy. The vegetative-corrective method has a therapeutic effect on the genitourinary system and kidneys to reduce the synthesis of angiotensin (a hormonal substance that constricts blood vessels).
Physiotherapy reduces the dose of drugs, normalizing blood pressure and strengthening blood vessels. The procedures improve the work of the heart, preventing sharp jumps in blood pressure. Sections of the central nervous system are stabilized, which contributes to the normalization of blood pressure. Excitability and nervousness stop, damaged nerve cells regenerate and hypertension stops progressing. Cardiac and renal complications are minimized.
Surgical method
To eliminate the cause of arterial hypertension, radiofrequency destruction of the renal nerves is prescribed. The procedure is aimed at eliminating the autonomic stimulation of "renal" mechanisms that increase blood pressure.
An effective surgical treatment for hypertension is the stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors. This result is achieved through electrical stimulation of the carotid artery. Despite the effectiveness of surgical treatment, there is no information on safety. The use of this method of treating hypertension is recommended only for those patients who have resistance to three antihypertensive drugs.
Gymnastics
With hypertension, gymnastics is more effective. Thanks to the many years of experience of doctors with patients with hypertension, it was possible to discover that any drug therapy is much more effective in combination with dosed physical activity.
Gymnastic exercises are aimed at reducing the dose of drugs to exclude the development of negative reactions. With daily training, it is possible to completely abandon medication for most patients.
Gymnastics for the neck in the treatment of hypertension improves the functionality of the spine. Regular exercise helps:
- elimination of muscle clamps;
- improved nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- normalization of blood flow of blood vessels in the neck;
- restoration of blood circulation in the brain;
- establishment of metabolic processes that support normal blood pressure;
- increasing the level of physical activity and, accordingly, burning excess calories;
- activating the work of blood vessels by saturating the myocardium with oxygen.
Remember that only regular gymnastics makes sense. It is necessary to determine in advance the time and place of the exercises. During lessons, it should be comfortable and convenient so that no one is distracted and you can concentrate.
Elements of gymnastics for the treatment of hypertension:
- "Metronome". Alternate fixation of the neck for 10 seconds on the right and left side.
- "Hero". The chin is maximally extended upwards, the arms are lowered. Every 10 seconds we take the starting position for 1-2 seconds.
- "Spring". Pulling and extending the chin with fixation for 5-10 seconds.
- "Sadness". Bending the head alternately on one shoulder, then on the other.
- "Frame". The left hand is on the right shoulder, the head is turned to the left. Then repeat for the right hand.
- "Fakir". The palms are closed over the head so that the fingers point upwards. The head should be turned to the sides every 10 seconds.
- "Airplane". The arms are stretched out to the sides, the elbows are not bent. Every 10 seconds the arms come down to rest.
Effective exercises for hypertension
Moderate physical activity trains the central nervous system and strengthens blood vessels. Vascular tone is quickly normalized, which helps to improve well-being. With hypertension, only dosed loads are permissible.
A group of exercises for patients with hypertension (we repeat each element 5-6 times):
- Feet shoulder width apart, arms raised. We stand on our toes. Slowly lowering hands. Shake the brushes, exhale.
- Hands on the belt, rotate the pelvis in both directions.
- The light works in place for 1-2 minutes. To restore breathing, we go for a walk.
- Hands on the belt, on the breath we bend forward, taking the head back, on the exhalation we straighten up.
- Feet shoulder width apart, hands on the belt. On inspiration, we make spring tilts forward, on exhalation - back, throwing the head back.
Simple exercises increase the capacity of the respiratory system by improving the elasticity of blood vessels. Harmful products that accumulate in the body are excreted much faster, which reduces the load 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. , and also after a hypertensive crisis. It is unacceptable to exercise with the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. An absolute contraindication is atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal tachycardia, thrombosis, weakness and angina attacks.
If chest pain occurs during exercise, shortness of breath occurs or the heart rate is disturbed, then the classes should be stopped. In this case, it is necessary to visit a general practitioner who will diagnose and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
Treatment of hypertension in a sanatorium
Hypertension treatment is a responsible and long process that gives results only if the doctor's recommendations are followed. Self-medication can cause the development of serious complications that pose a risk not only to health, but also to life. Any measure must first be approved and approved by a specialist.
Sanatoriums have everything necessary to perform diagnostic measures in the line of hypertension equipment: electrocardiography, ultrasound. The treatment process is carried out using: physiotherapy, balneotherapy, halotherapy.