High pressure

• Illness:hypertension
• What surprises:cardiovascular system, target organs (brain, kidneys, other organs)
• Causes:nervous overload, hormonal imbalance, vascular dystonia of various origins
• Symptoms:headache, dizziness, weakness, spots before the eyes
• Complications:cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, kidney disease
• Doctor:cardiologist
• Treatment:conservative, lifestyle modification
• Prevention:diet, timely check-up

Hypertension – what type of disease is it?

Blood pressure is one of the main indicators of the stability of the cardiovascular system. It is measured in millimeters of mercury and at rest it should not exceed 120/80.

To understand what hypertension is, you need to know what blood pressure is. At the moment the heart contracts, a certain volume of blood is pushed into the vessels - this depends on the force of contraction of the heart muscle. Blood is then distributed throughout the body through vessels, supplying cells with oxygen and nutrients.

The walls of healthy blood vessels are elastic. They stretch easily when large volumes of blood are released when the heart muscle contracts and contract quickly when it relaxes.

Problems begin when blood vessel walls lose their elasticity or if blood flow is obstructed due to changes in the blood vessel walls (atherosclerosis plaques, loss of elasticity). An increase in internal pressure in the vascular walls is called hypertension.

Furthermore, increased blood pressure is caused by excess blood emitted by the heart and excessively thick blood, which has difficulty moving through the vessels. Not only atherosclerosis, but also spasms during stressful situations, smoking and some systemic diseases lead to vasoconstriction.

Hypertension (hypertension, essential hypertension) is considered a "disease of civilization" - it is one of the most common causes of death and disability worldwide.

The danger of persistently high blood pressure is associated with a high risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. In addition to the medical problem, the problem of hypertension also has a social aspect. Every year, more and more young people under 40 complain of hypertension. Although only a few decades ago, the age structure of patients was dominated by people over 60 years old.

What blood pressure is considered high?

Blood pressure is a variable value. During periods of increased physical activity, the heart works harder as the muscles require additional oxygen. And during sleep and rest, the amount of blood pumped by the heart decreases and the pressure decreases.

Normally, blood pressure should not exceed 120/80 mm. Rt. Art. The first number is called systolic pressure - it is the load on the walls of the blood vessels immediately after the heart valve opens. This moment can be felt by placing your hand on the left side of your chest or feeling the pulse in your wrist. The maximum pressure in the blood vessels occurs immediately after the heartbeat, which is why it is also called cardiac or systolic.

The second number is the pressure in the interval between impacts, that is, during the period of rest of the heart muscle, it is called diastolic.

If the tonometer, when regularly measuring blood pressure, shows numbers above normal, the cardiologist diagnoses "arterial hypertension" or "hypertension". Furthermore, even an increase in just one number indicates pathology.

Causes of high blood pressure

In the vast majority of observations, blood pressure rises steadily with hypertension. This form of hypertension is called primary. Primary hypertension develops gradually, most often high blood pressure problems appear after the age of 50.

There are many reasons for frequent increases in blood pressure. In modern science and medicine, new data about cardiovascular diseases regularly appear. However, the mechanism of development of hypertension has not yet been fully understood.

The main theory of hypertension is neurogenic. It was developed by national scientists and is still considered one of the most reliable. According to him, the impetus for the emergence and development of the pathology is nervous overload that affects the brain structures that regulate pressure.

Additionally, a persistent increase in blood pressure can lead to:

• Violation of vascular tone due to brain or spinal cord injuries. The cause of hypertension can also be osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - constant tension in the muscles of the back and neck causes spasm of blood vessels.
• Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, menopause, menstruation or while using oral contraceptives.

Symptoms

Hypertension is a dangerous disease that does not manifest itself immediately. Early warning signs are often ignored and unpleasant symptoms are attributed to overwork or a mild cold.

High blood pressure symptoms may appear periodically, but some occur regularly. It is necessary to be aware of the signs of hypertension in the initial phase of the disease:

• headache in the occipital and temporal parts;
• constant weakness, decreased performance, feeling tired even in the morning;
• dizziness accompanied by mild nausea;
• tinnitus, hearing problems;
• flickering spots before the eyes, blurred vision;
• change in emotional state, development of anxiety, nervousness for the most insignificant reasons;
• rapid pulse, periodic chest pain;
• increased sweating, chills;
• feeling short of breath, inability to breathe deeply;
• periodic nosebleeds.

Hypertension symptoms can appear individually or in combination, but even one of the alarming signs of feeling unwell is reason enough to see a doctor.

Important!Taking painkillers for a typical high blood pressure headache may temporarily alleviate the symptoms of hypertension, but painkillers do not eliminate the root cause. Long-term attempts to alleviate the condition with pills can aggravate the course of the disease and complicate further treatment.

You should also pay attention to symptoms such as swelling of the hands and feet (especially in the morning), frequent redness and swelling of the face, and memory impairment.

Risk factors

As the causes of hypertension have not yet been fully elucidated, it is more accurate to speak of conditions predisposing to a persistent increase in blood pressure. The main ones:

• Floor.In men, hypertension most often develops at the age of 40-50 years, they are more prone to this disease. In women, the first symptoms, in most cases, appear during menopause and are associated with hormonal changes during this period.
• Living under constant stress:difficult work that requires constant concentration, family problems, difficulties in personal life, financial problems, etc.
• Genetic predisposition.If both parents or at least one of them have hypertension, the risk of developing the disease increases significantly.
• High levels of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.Atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of blood vessels are one of the main reasons for the gradual increase in blood pressure with age.
• Sedentary lifestyle, long work at the computer without breaks for walks in the fresh air.Physical inactivity prevents sufficient oxygen from entering the blood and slows blood circulation. Congestion negatively affects the tone of blood vessels, the walls of which gradually lose their elasticity.
• Overweight and obesity.People with a high body mass index almost always have high blood pressure. This is due to the fact that high weight requires an increase in the amount of circulating blood, which significantly increases the load on the heart. Additionally, excess weight is often caused by poor nutrition, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and impairs blood flow.
• Diet with excess salty and fatty foods.Salt retains fluids in the body and causes swelling. Excessive salt consumption is associated with a fast pace of life, an inability to maintain healthy eating habits and an unbalanced diet.
• Side effect after taking certain medications. People prone to hypertension are not recommended to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some cough and headache medicines, especially those containing caffeine or codeine.
• Smoke.Nicotine and tar that enter the bloodstream with tobacco smoke cause vasospasm and an increase in blood pressure.
• Alcohol abuse.Almost everyone who drinks alcohol frequently is diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension occurs in diseases of various organs and systems:

• kidney diseases(renal artery stenosis) lead to a deterioration in the blood supply to the kidney and a compensatory "increase" in blood flow;
• endocrine system- blood pressure increases with tumors of the adrenal cortex, thyroid disease and some other hormonal disorders;
• nervous system- encephalitis, brain tumors, etc.

The cause of a persistent increase in blood pressure is established after a complete and thorough examination. Correct identification of the causes of the disease determines the effectiveness and nature of subsequent therapy.

Important!Normalization of blood pressure in secondary hypertension depends on treatment of the underlying disease. Taking blood pressure lowering medications without a prescription will not produce the desired effect.

What to do with high blood pressure

Considering the high prevalence of high blood pressure and the large number of risk factors for the occurrence and development of the pathology, everyone should have a device to measure blood pressure. It is best to make daily blood pressure measurement a habit and do it twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

If the tonometer readings consistently exceed the norm, a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed.

You can reduce your blood pressure and normalize your condition before visiting a specialist using several simple and affordable methods:

• Give a light massage to the head and neck region. Circular massage movements will increase blood flow and relieve vascular spasm.
• You can take a warm bath with sea salt solution. The water temperature must be monitored very carefully, it should not be significantly higher than body temperature. A very hot shower can only make the situation worse.
• Mustard plasters placed on the back of the neck or ankle area help dilate arteries and normalize blood flow.

If your blood pressure rises suddenly and you feel unwell, you need to lie down calmly in a dark room without being distracted by devices.

Important!When your blood pressure rises, it is not recommended to be glued to your smartphone or laptop, watch TV or read. Excessive eye strain will lead to a further increase in blood pressure readings.

If the diagnosis of hypertension has already been established, it is necessary to take all medications prescribed by the doctor strictly in accordance with the prescribed regimen. You should not stop taking your medications at the first sign of improvement.

What to do before the doctor arrives

If a hypertensive crisis appears, it is necessary to call an ambulance. There are several simple ways to normalize the condition that can be used before the doctor arrives. These recommendations are important for those who suffer from hypertension or live with people at higher risk. Here's what you can do:

• place 1 vasodilator tablet under the tongue until completely absorbed;
• lie on your back with a high pillow under your head;
• open the window, unbutton the buttons on your clothes, let in fresh air;
• take a hot foot bath for 10-15 minutes;
• drink an alcoholic solution of motherwort or valerian.

Important!Refusal of treatment during a hypertensive crisis can cause stroke or heart attack.

Prevention measures

The fact that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat most accurately describes hypertension. If at least one of the risk factors for the development of hypertension is present, it is necessary to start paying greater attention to preventive measures as early as possible:

• keep a blood pressure diary, where you record tonometer readings, including pulse rate, twice a day;
• eat well, normalize weight and abandon bad eating habits - overeating, consuming excessively fatty foods, large quantities of sweet and salty foods;
• give up alcohol and smoking - alcoholic beverages, even in small doses, have an extremely negative effect on the condition of blood vessels;
• regularly devote time to physical activity and walks in the fresh air, and it is best to exercise in the gym under the supervision of an experienced trainer;
• Avoid stress if possible - this will be helped by regular communication with friends and family, relaxation outside the home and normalization of relationships in the team and family.

A healthy lifestyle and careful attention to your health are the key to good health for many years.

Treatment of hypertension

Treatment of hypertension is carried out on an outpatient or hospital basis.

Mandatory hospitalization is necessary in case of a hypertensive crisis with a high risk of stroke. In this condition, the patient must be under constant medical supervision until the dangerous symptoms disappear. In the future, the patient will be able to switch to outpatient treatment, subject to strict compliance with medical recommendations.

The treatment regimen for hypertension and the composition of complex therapy are determined by the attending physician based on the results of a comprehensive examination.

Pills and medicines

Modern pharmacology offers a wide range of medications for hypertension of various types. Most of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Along with the positive aspects of this approach, there are also negative aspects. Many people who suffer from hypertension start taking medication at random or under the guidance of friends and relatives, which leads to a worsening of the condition.

Medicines for the treatment of hypertension are divided into several large groups:

• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)- medicines that suppress the production of certain hormones in the body that constrict blood vessels;
• sartanos- blockers of receptors that perceive hormones that affect vascular tone;
• calcium antagonists- dilate blood vessels and reduce the resistance of their walls;
• dihydropyridinesLong-acting and short-acting medications selectively affect the condition of blood vessels.

Among the drugs that reduce blood pressure, diuretics, beta-blockers and several other groups of drugs also stand out.

Medicines for the treatment of hypertension are selected strictly individually based on the results of the examination. They must be taken strictly according to the regimen prescribed by the attending physician.

Diet

Adequate and balanced nutrition is an important factor in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. A diet for hypertension must be balanced.

Alcohol should be completely eliminated from the diet and consumption should be limited to:

• animal fats, palm oil, butter and coconut, margarine;
• sweet products, white bread, milk chocolate and other sweets;
• salt - no more than 5 g per day, taking into account its quantity in finished products.

It is advisable to include in the diet as much as possible:

• marine fish, rich in healthy fatty amino acids;
• fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables (at least 5 per day), herbs;
• vegetable oils - olive, linseed, sunflower, corn, sesame;
• foods rich in fiber (in addition to vegetables and fruits, these include brown rice, durum wheat pasta);
• whole grain porridge.

If you have high blood pressure, you should be careful when drinking coffee. A morning cup of freshly ground coffee will not hurt, but throughout the day it is better to drink clean water or green tea.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are widely used to lower blood pressure and improve the general condition of the body, but they can only be taken after consulting a doctor. It is necessary to understand that any traditional medicine can only be a complement to the main treatment and cannot replace it.

The following will help reduce blood pressure:

• garlic tincture;
• a mixture of beetroot cooked with honey and lemon;
• oat decoction;
• viburnum infusion;
• clove decoction and some other remedies.

Ready-made antihypertensive herbal mixtures can be purchased at a pharmacy - this is much safer than buying them on the market.

What not to do if you have hypertension

Strict prohibitions and restrictions relate mainly to severe stages of hypertension. At the first symptoms of the disease, only alcohol and tobacco are completely prohibited.

The development of the disease can be stopped by correcting the lifestyle and diet - giving up bad habits, moderate physical activity, proper nutrition and avoiding stressful situations.

Complications

It must be understood that the health of the whole body depends on the state of the cardiovascular system. Vascular pathology in hypertension can lead to serious consequences, including stroke and myocardial infarction.

Other complications of hypertension include:

• atherosclerosis, heart failure, angina pectoris;
• Visual impairment;
• diabetes mellitus and other endocrine pathologies;
• cerebral hemorrhages, encephalopathy and others.

A timely visit to a doctor and careful adherence to all recommendations will help avoid dangerous complications associated with hypertension.

Conclusion

Persistent increase in blood pressure or hypertension is the most common pathology of the cardiovascular system in the world. Despite doubts about the causes of the disease, modern medicine has learned to combat it successfully. The key to success is consulting a specialist at the first symptoms, a healthy lifestyle and trust in your doctor.