Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, 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 stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension, as the main cause of the pathology in question, requires the administration of medication, normalizing the patient's lifestyle and nutrition.
Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from people around them. Hypertension according to statistics is observed in 20-30% of the adult population of the earth.
This disease is found 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 is it concomitant. This disease develops against the background of diseases of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.
What is high blood pressure
Chronic disease, expressed in a constant or periodic increase in pressure. Doctors in almost all developed countries mark this disease as a 21st century epidemic. In Europe and the US, it is detected in every second elderly person. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of the incidence is impressive and alarming. And although there has been a great advance in treating the elderly in the last few decades, it still remains an insidious and dangerous disease. This is because hypertension in the early stages is asymptomatic. But the disease causes significant damage 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 occurrence of pathology are different. Most of the time, doctors cannot find them. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the causes of somatic (secondary) high blood pressure can be established. It occurs in 10% of patients with high blood pressure. main reasons
- kidney damage or glomerulonephritis;
- renal artery stenosis;
- congenital narrowing of the aorta;
- increased functions of internal glands, in particular, the thyroid;
- against the background of tumors of the adrenal glands, malignant hypertension is formed;
- alcoholism:
- medicinal - develops during prolonged use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.
Hypertension symptoms
Treatment in the initial phase is complicated by the fact that this disease has no specific symptoms. Many patients are unaware of the presence of the disease. They have no complaints about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although occasionally they have bouts of 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 this disease can be stopped. Complaints in patients appear when the "targets" are damaged. These are the organs whose functioning depends on blood pressure. Complications of the disease often affect the heart and blood vessels.
There are symptoms, although not specific, for which high blood pressure is suspected. This is weakness, flies before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is the headaches.
Degrees and stages of hypertension
- Light or First - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
- Limit or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Grave or third degree - 180 and above / 110+.
Allocate another form of the disease. This is isolated systolic hypertension. Its indicators are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.
With blood pressure rising, target organs are the first to suffer. Based on pathological changes, the disease is divided into stages:
- 1 - no changes are observed in target organs.
- 2 - changes are established in various organs.
- Stage 3 - associated clinical conditions are recorded.
Risk factors for developing hypertension
- Was. 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.
- Inherited diseases of the cardiovascular system in a straight line.
- Prolonged smoking.
- The presence of diabetes.
- Hypertension develops with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
All risk factors are divided into two groups. Correctable - which can be eliminated. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Incorrigibles - 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
It differs from the male. Firstly, there are forms of the disease that are not recorded in the strong half of humanity, for example, hypertension during menopause and during pregnancy. Second, according to statistics, 41% of women have pathology. Therefore, vascular hypertension is more often a problem of the fairer 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.
The 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 child rearing, are the duties that are most inherent to men. More and more women are involved in a career, business and sometimes supporting a family. Hence the tension, stress and overload. And that doesn't lead to better health, but worse. Do not forget that the predisposition to hypertension is hereditary. Therefore, women who have relatives with straight-up hypertension should not forget about prevention and regular examination.
Finally, female hypertension causes a lot more problems. It gives more complications, for example, often women in old age develop a stroke against the background of the disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect treatment and be more attentive to well-being. It is important not to miss the first harbingers of a developing disease.
hypertension during pregnancy
As a rule, it comes to a head in the second trimester. It manifests at 20-21 weeks of gestation and may disappear after the baby is born. All women who have high blood pressure are at risk of placental abruption and preeclampsia. With pronounced hypertension in pregnant women, the tactics of conducting childbirth also change, and the prescription of cesarean section is possible.
Methods for the treatment of 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 aim to reduce the risks associated with developing serious complications such as strokes and heart attacks, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.
Modern treatment is focused not on lowering the pressure, but on eliminating the very cause of the emerging pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. To get truly tangible results, treatment is carried out strictly on an individual basis, all causes of the development of the disease are taken into account. The etiology of hypertension may be associated with liver and biliary tract dysfunction. Then acupressure will be effective for treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with impaired kidney function. It often develops against the background of obesity. Then the patient is given a weight correction diet and various methods of physical therapy.
Medicines for the treatment of hypertension
Traditional treatment is carried out with medication. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is necessary. It must be in a stable state. For this, groups of drugs are used. Its action is based on different mechanisms of influence, but they all help to reduce the pressure.
- potassium antagonists. They block calcium channels in the vessel walls, while gaps widen.
- 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 hypertension pills lower your heart rate.
- Diuretics. These are diuretics. They help to reduce fluid in the body, which lowers blood pressure.
It is important to understand that even new drugs are strictly prohibited to be taken without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist is able to choose the right medicine.
diet for hypertension
Pathology doctors recommend changing the diet. One of the tasks during the treatment of this disease is the normalization of weight and metabolic processes in the body. To do this, follow a series of 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 refuse green and black tea. You also don't need to drink coffee. These products cause vasospasm and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Remove butter and sausage from the diet.
It is better to choose plant-based products. Eat more vegetables. They are rich in fiber, which helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. Dried apricots, carrots, cabbage and beets increase the amount of important mineral elements like magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and heart muscles. Feeding must be fractionated. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal portions. Intervals between meals no more than 3 hours.
Lastly, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Give up alcohol and smoking. Eliminate all convenience and fast food from your diet. Don't go hungry! 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 by time and over a generation. Phytotherapy 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 contribute to lowering blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes that help in the treatment of hypertension:
- Honey is mixed with lemon juice and beetroot (net ratio 1: 1). Stir well and drink a third of a glass an hour after eating.
- Of all the herbs, hawthorn is especially helpful. The tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning daily.
- 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 double boiler. Five times a day, drink half a glass of this infusion. It has a calming and relaxing effect.
diabetes and hypertension
The pathologies are interrelated. They have a mutually reinforcing effect intended to disrupt the function of multiple target organs at once. Tests for hypertension aggravated by diabetes mellitus usually indicate damage to blood vessels in the brain and retina of the eyes, heart, and kidneys. In this scenario of disease development, the main cause of death is often coronary heart disease, infarction and renal failure.
It is important for diabetes to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe the appropriate treatment and avoid serious complications of the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
prevention of hypertension
It is indicated for those who have among the blood relatives of people with this disease, mainly in a straight line (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After 30 years, it is necessary to have regular examinations, even if there are no obvious signs of the development of the disease. For people at risk, alcohol and smoking are contraindicated. They need to follow a low-salt, low-fat diet. Physical exercise is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, bike. You need to avoid shock and stress, lead a measured lifestyle.