A pathology of the cardiovascular system characterized by high blood pressure is called hypertension.This disease is treated by cardiologists, therapists, neurologists and nephrologists.
Hypertension or essential hypertension is a persistent increase in blood pressure.A temporary increase in blood pressure is observed in people during exercise, stress and other conditions to which the cardiovascular system adapts.A person suffering from hypertension experiences a constant increase in blood pressure.Doctors include headache, shortness of breath, chest pain and throbbing in the temples as characteristic symptoms of pathology.Without treatment, chronic hypertension can be complicated by diseases of the heart, kidneys, brain and other organs.
This disease is treated by: cardiologists and therapists
Blood pressure is caused by the movement of blood through the vessels.At the time of contraction of the heart, an increase in pressure occurs (systolic indicator), and at the time of relaxation of the organ, a decrease in blood pressure occurs (diastolic indicator).Hypertension is one of the most common disorders in the cardiovascular system.This can be an independent pathology or a result of diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands and other organs.Hypertension is most often diagnosed in men and women over the age of 65.
Symptoms of hypertension
The manifestation of hypertension depends on the degree of increase in blood pressure and the cause of the pathology.Changes in blood pressure can affect any organ, but patients mainly suffer from disorders of the nervous system and kidneys.In people suffering from hypertension, increased pressure may occur occasionally, and all the time the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Symptoms and Signs:
- Dizziness and headache;
- Throbbing sensation in different parts of the body, such as the back of the head and temples;
- A feeling of "fog in the head", decreased visual acuity;
- Tinnitus and audible heartbeat;
- Insomnia and fatigue;
- Loss of appetite and nausea;
- Compressive pain in the chest;
- Shortness of breath at rest and during light physical activity;
- Increased sweating;
- Redness of the face;
- Swelling of hands and face.
Other symptoms depend on the causes and complications of hypertension.This may be a symptom of brain dysfunction, visual impairment, or other organ pathology.
Causes of hypertension
Cardiologists distinguish between primary (essential) hypertension, which is detected in most cases, and secondary hypertension, which occurs as a complication of another disease.Doctors include obesity, chronic stress, bad heredity, atherosclerosis, bad habits and poor diet as risk factors for developing this disease.Increased blood pressure can occur due to vasoconstriction, dysregulation of the cardiovascular system, hormonal changes and other factors.
Other reasons:
- Diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands.The function of these organs plays an important role in controlling the cardiovascular system.Secondary hypertension can develop against the background of chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, adrenal tumors and other pathologies;
- Thyroid disease.This organ secretes the hormones needed to regulate the body's functions;
- Metabolic and blood diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis;
- Infectious and chronic inflammatory diseases;
- Hereditary factors that cause dysfunction of the cardiovascular system;
- Pathology of the female reproductive system, complicated by hormonal imbalance.
Determining the cause of secondary hypertension is very important for treatment.
Get a consultation
If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor.Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.
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- Treatment is carried out according to clinical guidelines
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Diagnosis of hypertension in modern clinics
If symptoms of hypertension appear, you should make an appointment with a cardiologist.The clinic doctor asked the patient about the complaint and studied the anamnestic data in detail to identify the risk factors of the disease.Then the main examination is carried out, including a general examination, listening (auscultation) of the heart and measuring blood pressure using a tonometer.Cardiologists confirm the presence of pathology by history, external signs, and also by repeated detection of systolic pressure above 150 mm.right.Art.and diastolic pressure above 95 mm.right.Art.After this, the doctor prescribes additional studies to determine the cause and form of the disease.
Diagnostic methods used:
- Dynamic measurement of blood pressure, which allows to exclude the condition (natural) hypertension.The doctor takes blood pressure measurements in a quiet environment.Before this test, you must refrain from physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and taking certain medications.Cardiologists measure the pressure in both arms by placing a tonometer cuff 2.5 cm above the elbow.For convenience, the patient can take a lying or standing position.This study is conducted at 2-5 minute intervals to obtain some indications and determine the average blood pressure level;
- General blood and biochemical tests.Cardiology refers patients for this study to detect hypertension factors.In the treatment room, the nurse treats the patient's antecubital fossa with an antiseptic, squeezes the arm in the shoulder area with a tourniquet and draws blood using a syringe.In the laboratory, the specialist determines the level of lipids, creatinine, hormones, glucose and potassium in the blood sample.The ratio and quantity of blood cells are also determined;
- Urinalysis.The doctor explains to the patient how and when to fill a sterile container with urine.Urine tests in the laboratory allow you to evaluate the effectiveness of kidney filtration and identify inflammatory diseases of the excretory system;
- Electrocardiography is the study of the electrical activity of the heart, which allows one to detect the causes and signs of disease.During the procedure, the doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and attach sensors (electrodes) to different parts of the body.Then cardiograms are collected and interpreted;
- Ultrasound examination of the heart is the safest method to examine the heart, which allows to detect pathological changes in the organ, such as thickening of the left ventricular wall.The doctor asks the patient to lie on his back and press the sensor against the skin to get an image of the heart on the monitor.
Professional modern clinics have laboratories that allow doctors to conduct modern research and quickly obtain reliable diagnostic results.If necessary, the cardiologist prescribes the patient a study of the brain, kidneys and other organs affected by high blood pressure.
Treatment of hypertension
When prescribing treatment, clinical cardiologists focus on the diagnostic results and the patient's condition.An individual treatment regimen is prescribed, which aims to normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system, eliminate the symptoms of hypertension and prevent dangerous complications.In addition to drug therapy, the cardiologist must prescribe the necessary diet to improve the function of blood vessels and kidneys.Compliance with the prescription of a professional specialist helps to significantly improve the quality of life.
Treatment methods for hypertension:
- Prescription thiazide diuretics.This is a diuretic that stimulates the kidneys to remove more fluid from the body.Doctors prescribe these drugs to eliminate swelling and normalize blood pressure;
- ACE inhibitor prescription.These drugs are used to suppress vasoconstrictors and reduce blood pressure.In addition, these drugs are prescribed to treat the causes of hypertension related to kidney disease;
- Use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists.Cardiology prescribes these drugs to suppress the activity of factors that block blood vessels;
- Use of calcium channel blockers.These drugs relax the muscles of the vascular walls and reduce the heart rate, thereby reducing blood pressure;
- Use of alpha and beta blockers.If necessary, cardiologists prescribe drugs from this group to reduce heart rate, ease the load on the heart and dilate blood vessels;
- Use of aldosterone antagonists.The main effect of these drugs is to improve kidney function, which is shown in increased fluid and salt secretion.Thanks to this effect, a decrease in blood pressure is achieved;
- Prescribe additional drug therapy, including renin inhibitors, lipid-lowering drugs, sedatives and vasodilators.
When prescribing an individual treatment regimen, clinical cardiologists take into account modern standards for the treatment of hypertension.To monitor treatment, doctors often prescribe laboratory and instrumental examinations.Endocrinologists, nutritionists and other doctors, if necessary, prescribe additional methods to treat hypertension.
Prevention of hypertension
The development of dangerous cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes and other preventive measures.
Prevention Methods:
- Improve your diet, including avoiding fatty, overly salty and fried foods;
- Quit alcohol and cigarettes;
- Reduce weight and regular physical activity;
- Timely treatment of diseases of the kidneys and endocrine organs.
Consultation with a cardiologist will help you choose an individual preventive regimen and undergo an examination to detect hypertension risk factors.