Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition characterized by stability, that is, an increase in blood pressure detected by repeated measurements. Accompanying many diseases, it is considered a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications of the cardiovascular system, including strokes 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 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 it is only in one out of ten patients that it is concomitant. This disease develops against the background of ailments of the kidneys, lungs and endocrine glands.
What is high blood pressure
Chronic disease, expressed by a constant or periodic increase in pressure. Doctors in almost all developed countries regard this disease as an epidemic of the 21st century. In Europe and the United States, it is detected in one in two elderly people. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of the incidence is impressive and alarming. And although there has been a great breakthrough in the treatment of the elderly in recent decades, it 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 harm 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. Most often, doctors cannot find them at all. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the causes of somatic (secondary) arterial hypertension can be established. It occurs in 10% of patients with high blood pressure. Main reasons
- kidney damage or glomerulonephritis;
- renal artery stenosis;
- congenital stenosis of the aorta;
- increased functions of the internal glands, especially the thyroid;
- against the background of tumors of the adrenal glands, malignant hypertension is formed;
- alcoholism:
- medicinal - develops with long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.
High blood pressure symptoms
Treatment at the initial stage is complicated by the fact that this disease does not have specific symptoms. Many patients are unaware of the presence of the disease. They do not complain about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although they sometimes have bouts of weakness, dizziness and slight 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. Patient complaints appear when the "targets" are damaged. These are the organs whose functioning depends on blood pressure. Complications of the disease most often give to the heart and blood vessels.
There are symptoms, although not specific, for which high blood pressure is suspected. It is weakness, flies before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All of these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is the headache.
Degrees and stages of hypertension
- Mild or prime - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
- Limit or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Severe or third degree - 180 and above / 110+.
Assign 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 - target organ changes are not observed.
- 2 - changes are established in several organs.
- Step 3 - associated clinical conditions are recorded.
Risk factors for developing hypertension
- Age. This disease is most often diagnosed in women over 65, in men over 55.
- Cholesterol exceeds the content by more than 6. 5 mmol per liter.
- Hereditary diseases of the cardiovascular system in an ascending straight line.
- Prolonged smoking.
- The presence of diabetes.
- Hypertension develops with obesity and physical inactivity.
All risk factors are divided into two groups. Correctable - which can be eliminated. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Incorrigible - these are those who are not subject to medical influence - bad 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
Differs from that of men. Firstly, 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 a 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 women at a young age, this disease is recorded less frequently.
Pathology coexists with other ailments and aggravates their course. As a result, a woman has a whole "bouquet" of ailments, such as diabetes, obesity, varicose veins and metabolic disorders. All this complicates the treatment process.
The role of women in society has changed. On his shoulders, in addition to household chores and raising children, lie the duties that are more inherent in men. More and more women are engaged in a career, a business and sometimes supporting a family. Hence tension, stress and overload. And this does not lead to better health, but makes it worse. Remember that the predisposition to hypertension is hereditary. Therefore, women who have relatives with high blood pressure in an ascending straight line should not forget about prevention and regular examinations.
Finally, female hypertension causes many more problems. This gives more complications, for example, often older women develop a stroke against the background of the disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect care and be more attentive to well-being. It is important not to miss the first warning signs of a developing disease.
High blood pressure during pregnancy
As a rule, it reveals itself in the second trimester. It manifests itself at 20-21 weeks of gestation and may disappear after the baby is born. All women with high blood pressure are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. With pronounced hypertension in pregnant women, childbirth tactics also change, and a cesarean section prescription is possible.
Methods of treating 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 aimed at reducing pressure, but at eliminating the very cause of the emerging pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. To achieve truly tangible results, the 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 the 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 drugs. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is necessary. He must be in stable condition. For this, groups of drugs are used. Their action is based on different mechanisms of influence, but all contribute to reducing the pressure.
- potassium antagonists. They block the calcium channels in the walls of the vessel, while the lacunae increase.
- 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 high blood pressure tablets lower the heart rate.
- Diuretics. They are diuretics. They help reduce fluids in the body, which lowers blood pressure.
It is important to understand that it is strictly forbidden to take new drugs without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist is able to choose the right remedy.
Diet for hypertension
Doctors of pathology recommend changing the diet. One of the tasks when treating 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 component, sodium, prevents the elimination of water from the body. This increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure. Second, they refuse green and black tea. You don't have to drink coffee either. These products cause vasospasm and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Remove butter and sausages from the diet.
It is better to choose products of plant origin. Eat more vegetables. They are high in fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels. 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 split. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal portions. Breaks between meals do not exceed 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 these drugs is that they have been tested over time and over more than one generation. Herbal medicine is of great help in the 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 hips also help lower blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes that help in the treatment of hypertension:
- Honey is mixed with lemon and beet juice (1: 1 liquid ratio). Mix well and drink a third of a glass one hour after eating.
- Of all the herbs, hawthorn is particularly helpful. The tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning every day.
- Well lowers blood pressure - cranberries. 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 interdependent. They have a mutually reinforcing effect aimed at disrupting the function of several target organs at once. Hypertension tests aggravated by diabetes mellitus often indicate damage to blood vessels in the brain and retina of the eyes, heart, and kidneys. In this disease development scenario, the primary cause of death is often coronary artery disease, heart attack, and kidney failure.
It is important for diabetes to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent serious complications from the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Prevention of hypertension
It is suitable for those who have blood relatives 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 obvious signs of the development of the disease. For people at risk, alcohol and tobacco are contraindicated. They must follow a diet low in salt and fat. Physical exercise is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, cycle. You need to avoid shocks and stress, lead a measured life.