Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is a condition characterized by stability, i. e. an increase in blood pressure detected by repeated measurements. Accompanied by many diseases, which are considered as a risk leading to dangerous complications from the cardiovascular system, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension, which is the main cause of the pathology under consideration, requires medication, normalization of the patient's lifestyle and nutrition.
Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from people around them. Hypertension is statistically found in 20-30% of the adult population on earth.
This disease is found everywhere and in many countries is the main cause of death. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - the disease is diagnosed as an independent disease - primary or primary hypertension. And only in every tenth patient, it is simultaneous. This disease develops against the background of diseases of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.
What is arterial hypertension?
Chronic disease, manifested by a constant or cyclical increase in pressure. Doctors in most developed countries consider the disease a pandemic of the 21st century. In Europe and the United States, it is detected in every second elderly person. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of the incidence is dramatic and alarming. And although there has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of the elderly in recent decades, it remains a dangerous and insidious disease. This is due to the fact that in the early stages of hypertension there are no symptoms. But this disease causes significant damage to health - it depletes the cardiovascular system. It is important that people at risk are not neglected in terms of prevention and treatment.
Causes and symptoms of high blood pressure
The reasons for the appearance of pathology are different. More often than not, doctors can't find them. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the cause of somatic (secondary) arterial hypertension can be determined. It occurs in 10% of hypertensive patients. Main reason
- kidney damage, or glomerulonephritis;
- renal artery stenosis;
- congenital aortic stenosis;
- increased function of the internal glands, especially the thyroid;
- against the background of tumors of the adrenal gland, malignant hypertension is formed;
- Alcoholism:
- Drugs - developed during long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc. v.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
Treatment in the early stages is complicated because the 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 they do have occasional bouts of weakness, dizziness, and mild nausea.
Although leaving serious consequences, many people do not take this disease seriously, disregarding prevention and treatment. In the early stages, the development of this disease can be prevented. Complaints in patients appear when the "target" is damaged. These are organs whose function depends on blood pressure. Complications of the disease usually affect the heart and blood vessels.
There are symptoms, although nonspecific, that suggest arterial hypertension. This is depression, flies fly in front of eyes, limbs go numb. All these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is headache.
Degree and stages of hypertension
- Mild or first - HATT 140-159 / HATTr 90-99.
- Contour or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Severe or third - 180 and above / 110+.
Allocate another form of disease. This is isolated systolic hypertension. Her stats are HATT above 140 / HATTr below 90.
With an increase in blood pressure, the target organs are the first to be affected. Based on the pathological progression, the disease is divided into stages:
- 1 - changes in target organs are not observed.
- 2 - changes are established in some agencies.
- Stage 3 - relevant clinical conditions are recorded.
Risk factors for developing high blood pressure
- Age. This disease is usually diagnosed in women over 65 years old, in men over 55 years old.
- Excess cholesterol content more than 6. 5 mmol per liter.
- Hereditary diseases of the cardiovascular system follow an ascending straight line.
- Prolonged smoking.
- Presence of diabetes.
- Hypertension develops with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
All risk factors were divided into two groups. Repairable - can be removed. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Uncorrectable - these are non-medical diseases - poor heredity and age. In this case, in order not to provoke the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of nutrition and lifestyle.
Hypertension in women
Different from men. Firstly, there are forms of such diseases that are not recognized 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 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 noted less often.
Pathology coexists with other diseases and aggravates their course. As a result, a woman has a whole bunch 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, she also placed on her shoulders the duties inherently more than that of men. More and more women are involved in careers, businesses and sometimes family support. Hence stress, tension and overload. And this doesn't lead to better health, it makes it worse. Don't forget that the predisposition to high blood pressure is genetic. Therefore, women whose relatives have high blood pressure in a straight line should not forget about prevention and regular checkups.
Finally, high blood pressure in women causes more trouble. It causes more complications, for example, often women in old age develop a stroke due to this disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect treatment and pay more attention to health. It is important not to miss the first signs of a developing disease.
High blood pressure during pregnancy
As a rule, it comes to light in the second trimester. It manifests itself at 20-21 weeks gestation and may disappear after the birth of the baby. All women with high blood pressure are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. With markedly elevated blood pressure in pregnant women, delivery strategies also change, and cesarean delivery may be indicated.
Methods of treating high blood pressure
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 treatments are aimed at reducing the risks associated with the development of serious complications such as stroke and heart attack, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.
Modern treatment focuses not on reducing pressure, but on eliminating the very cause of the emerging pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. In order 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 related to liver and biliary tract dysfunction. Then acupressure will bring effective treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with impaired kidney function. Often it develops against the background of obesity. After that, the patient was assigned a diet to regulate weight and different methods of physical therapy.
Medications to treat high blood pressure
Traditional treatment is done with drugs. Blood pressure should be continuously monitored. It should be in a steady state. For this, groups of drugs are used. Their action is based on different mechanisms of influence, but all help to relieve pressure.
- potassium antagonist. They block calcium channels in the vessel walls, and at the same time the gaps increase.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs in the treatment of hypertension block renin synthesis, which has a direct effect on hypertension.
- B-blockers. High blood pressure pills lower the heart rate.
- Diuretic. These are diuretics. They help reduce fluid in the body, which lowers blood pressure.
It is important to understand that even new drugs are strictly forbidden to use without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist can choose the appropriate treatment.
Diet for high blood pressure
Pathologists recommend changing your diet. One of the tasks in the treatment of this disease is the normalization of weight and metabolism in the body. To do this, follow some strict requirements. First, reduce your salt intake. Its main ingredient, sodium, prevents the removal of water from the body. This increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure. Second, they refuse green tea and black tea. You also don't have to drink coffee. These products cause vasoconstriction and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Eliminate butter and sausages from your 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 mineral elements such as magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle. Food should be divided. Divide your daily portion into 5 equal portions. Rest between meals for no more than 3 hours.
Finally, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Quit alcohol and tobacco. Eliminate all convenience and fast foods from your diet. Don't starve! With high blood pressure, there is no strict diet, contraindications to stress for the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
The positive side of such drugs is that they have been tested over time and over a generation. Phytotherapy helps a lot in treatment. Sedative herbs are used, which have a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, valerian, perilla, and mint. Lemon, honey and rose hip also contribute to lower blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes to help treat high blood pressure:
- Honey is mixed with lemon and beet juice (1: 1 liquid ratio). Stir well and drink a third of the glass an hour after eating.
- Of all the herbs, hawthorn is especially useful. Tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning daily.
- Very good blood pressure reduction - cranberries. Just eating a glass of this berry in the morning is enough.
- Basil, mint, and valerian in equal amounts in the water bath. Five times a day, drink half a glass of this infusion. It has a calming and relaxing effect.
Diabetes and high blood pressure
Diseases are interrelated. They have a mutually reinforcing effect aimed at disrupting the function of several target organs at the same time. Tests for hypertension aggravated by diabetes often show damage to the blood vessels of the brain and retina of the eyes, heart, and kidneys. In the developmental scenario of the disease, the main causes of death are usually coronary heart 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 high blood pressure
Suitable for people who are related by blood to someone with this disease, especially people of the same lineage (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After the age of 30, it is necessary to have regular check-ups, even if there are no obvious signs of the development of the disease. For those at risk, alcohol and smoking are contraindicated. They need to follow a low-salt and low-fat diet. Exercise is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, bike. You need to avoid shock and stress, have a balanced lifestyle.