Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is a condition characterized by stable, that is, an increase in blood pressure that is detected by repeated measurements. Accompanying 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 medication, normalizing the patient's lifestyle and diet.
Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from people around. Hypertension according to statistics is observed in 20-30% of the adult population on earth.
This disease is everywhere and in many countries it is the leading cause of death. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - this disease is diagnosed as independent primary or essential arterial hypertension. And only in every tenth patient it is equivalent. 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 the epidemic of the 21st century. In Europe and the United States, it is detected in every second elderly person. Half of those cases were fatal. The scale of the incident is astounding and alarming. And although there has been a great success in the treatment of the elderly in recent decades, it still remains a dangerous and dangerous disease. This is due to the fact that hypertension in the early stages is asymptomatic. But this disease causes significant damage to health - it reduces the cardiovascular system. It is important that people at risk do not neglect prevention and treatment.
Causes and symptoms of hypertension
The causes of pathology are different. More often than not, doctors can't find them at all. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the cause of somatic arterial hypertension (secondary) can be established. It occurs in 10% of patients with high blood pressure. Main reason
- kidney damage, or glomerulonephritis;
- renal artery stenosis;
- congenital narrowing of the aorta;
- increased function of internal glands, in particular, the thyroid;
- against the background of adrenal gland tumors, malignant hypertension is formed;
- alcoholism:
- medical - develops during long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.
Symptoms of hypertension
Treatment in the early stages is complicated by the fact that the disease does not have specific symptoms. Many patients are unaware of the presence of this disease. They have no complaints about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although sometimes they experience 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 the disease can be stopped. Complaints in patients appear when the "target" is damaged. This is an organ that functions depending on blood pressure. Complications of the disease most often affect the heart and blood vessels.
There are symptoms, although not specific, that are suspected of arterial hypertension. This is weakness, flying before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is headache.
Levels and stages of hypertension
- Light or first - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
- Border line or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Severe or third level - 180 and above / 110+.
Allocate another form of disease. This is isolated systolic hypertension. His indicators are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.
With increased 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 established in some organs.
- Stage 3 - relevant clinical conditions are recorded.
Risk factors for developing 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.
- Presence of diabetes.
- Hypertension develops with obesity and an inactive lifestyle.
All risk factors are divided into two groups. Correctable - which can be eliminated. These include diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Uncorrectable - these are those that are not subject to medical influence - poor heredity and age. In this case, in order not to provoke the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow the recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle.
Hypertension in women
Unlike men. First, there are forms of such diseases that are not recorded in the stronger half of humans, 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. Even in women at a young age, 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, lay tasks that are more attached to men. More and more women are involved in careers, businesses, and sometimes raising families. Hence tension, stress and overload. And this does not lead to better health, but worsens it. Do not forget that the tendency 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 check-ups.
Finally, hypertension in women causes more problems. It gives more complications, for example, often women in old age have a stroke against the background of the disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect treatment and be more concerned about well-being. It is important not to miss the first signs of a developing disease.
Hypertension during pregnancy
As a rule, it comes to light in the second trimester. It manifests itself at 20-21 weeks of pregnancy and may disappear after the birth of the baby. All women with high blood pressure are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. With significant hypertension in pregnant women, delivery tactics also change, and a prescription for caesarean section is possible.
Methods for the treatment of hypertension
It is carried out with the help of medical preparations. They can temporarily eliminate the main symptoms, but the disease is not cured. Almost all treatment methods aim to reduce the risk associated with the development of serious complications such as stroke and heart attack, as well as improve the patient's quality of life.
Modern treatment is not focused on lowering the pressure, but on eliminating the cause of the emerging pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. To achieve truly significant results, treatment is carried out strictly individually, all the causes of the development of the disease are taken into account. The etiology of hypertension may be associated with dysfunction of the liver and bile ducts. 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 physiotherapy methods.
Medicines for the treatment of hypertension
Traditional treatment is carried out with medicines. Continuous blood pressure monitoring is required. It must be stable. For this, a group of drugs is used. Their actions are based on different mechanisms of influence, but they all help reduce stress.
- potassium antagonists. They block calcium channels in the vessel wall, while the gap increases.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs in the treatment of hypertension block the synthesis of renin, which has a direct effect on the increase in blood pressure.
- Blocker B. This tablet for hypertension lowers the heart rate.
- Diuretic. This is a diuretic. 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 can choose the right medicine.
Diet for hypertension
Doctors in pathology recommend changing the diet. One of the tasks during the treatment of this disease is the normalization of body weight and metabolic processes in the body. To do this, follow some strict requirements. First, reduce your salt intake. Its main component, sodium, prevents the removal of water from the body. This increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure. Second, they reject green and black tea. You don't even need to drink coffee. This product causes vasospasm and increases 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 lower blood cholesterol levels. Dried apricots, carrots, cabbage and beets increase the amount of important minerals such as magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle. Food should be fractional. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal parts. Rest between meals does not exceed 3 hours.
Finally, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Quit alcohol and smoking. Eliminate all convenience foods and fast foods from your diet. Don't starve! With hypertension, a strict diet is not allowed, stress is a contraindication for the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
The positive side of such drugs is that they have been tested by time and more than one generation. Phytotherapy is very helpful in treatment. Sedative herbs are used, which produce a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, mint. Lemon, honey and rose hip also contribute to lowering blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes that help in the treatment of hypertension:
- Honey is mixed with lemon and beet juice (liquid ratio 1: 1). Stir well and drink a third of a glass an hour after eating.
- Of all the herbs, hawthorn is the most helpful. Colored taken 10 drops in the morning every day.
- Good for lowering blood pressure - cranberries. It is enough to eat a glass of these berries 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 soothing and calming effect.
Diabetes and hypertension
Interrelated pathology. They have a mutually reinforcing effect that aims to disrupt the function of several target organs at once. 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 progression scenario, the main causes of death are often coronary heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.
It is important for diabetics to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe the appropriate treatment and prevent severe complications from the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Prevention of hypertension
It is suitable for those who have blood relatives with this disease, especially in the straight line (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After 30 years, it is necessary to undergo a regular examination, even if there are no clear signs of the development of the disease. For people at risk, alcohol and smoking are contraindicated. They should follow a low-salt and low-fat diet. Physical exercise is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, bike. You need to avoid shocks and stress, lead a measured lifestyle.