Hypertension (arterial hypertension) is a syndrome of high systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg. Art. and/or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg. Art. A common disease of the cardiovascular system that requires prompt treatment. Treatment of hypertension is prescribed after a comprehensive examination. Therapy includes symptom management and combating disease, including symptoms of hypertension.
Some statistics
Hypertension occurs in 90-95% of hypertensive patients. In other cases, we are talking about secondary symptomatic manifestations: renal (3-4%), endocrine (0, 1-0, 3%). Less common is hypertension against the background of neurological, hemodynamic and stressful situations.
The social significance and severity of hypertension in increasing the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and coronary heart disease, which are major causes of death. If high blood pressure is not controlled, chronic kidney disease develops, leading to kidney failure and disability.
When to treat hypertension?
To appoint effective therapy, it is necessary to determine the degree of arterial hypertension. To do this, you need to measure your blood pressure and compare the numbers in the table.
| Degree | The value of blood pressure, mm Hg. Art. |
|---|---|
| one | 140-159 to 90-99 |
| 2 | 160-179 by 100-109 |
| 3 | 180 to 110 or more |
The most common signs of hypertension that require treatment are:
- sharp or pressing pain in the back of the head;
- dizziness and flickering of dark circles and "flies";
- heart palpitations, nausea and ringing in the ears.
The clinical picture described is typical for the timing of hypertension. In fact, asymptomatic cases of the disease are described. If high blood pressure is not controlled, then the condition will negatively affect the function of internal organs. The first to suffer are the "target organs" such as the kidneys, brain, heart and blood vessels.
The main signs of damage to internal organs in hypertension:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart.
- Violation of the diastolic function of the heart muscle.
- Chronic heart failure.
- progression of atherosclerosis.
- Heart attack.
- encephalopathy.
- Stroke.
- Kidney disease.
- Vascular disease of blood vessels.
The stage of hypertension is determined by the nature of the involvement of internal organs. At the first stage the failure of the "target organs" is not observed. The second stage is characterized by one or more lesions in the absence of AMI (myocardial infarction), chronic diseases of the urinary system and stroke. The third stage is characterized by manifestations of chronic kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack.
The higher your blood pressure and the more symptoms you have, the higher your risk of having a stroke. With grade 3 hypertension, the likelihood of complications is high, independent of the presence of concomitant symptoms.
Basic rules for the treatment of hypertension
The main task is to reduce the risk of complications. To achieve this, it is necessary to minimize negative factors and stabilize blood pressure as low as possible. The optimal value for most is 140-90 mm Hg. Art. ;for elderly patients - 140-150 at 90-95 mm Hg. Art. Here you need to be careful, because low blood pressure (hypotension) only increases the risk of developing a vascular accident.
Treatment of hypertension grade 1
Strategies for the treatment of arterial hypertension are developed not only by the degree of hypertension, but also by the likelihood of developing cardiovascular pathologies. Accordingly, with a degree of hypertension, only lifestyle modification is enough to eliminate negative factors. Drug therapy in this case is necessary if the pressure is not stable for 2-3 months.
List of essential remedies for grade 1 hypertension:
- Give up bad habits (alcohol, smoking).
- Balance the diet - include foods rich in magnesium and potassium in the menu, limit salt (no more than 5 g per day), refuse sauces and fried foods.
- Don't forget about daily physical activity (running, swimming, walking 30 minutes a day).
- Normalization of body mass index at an optimal level (25 kg / m2).
Treatment of hypertension grade 2 and 3
Treatment of hypertension in hypertensive patients consists of drug therapy, which is prescribed immediately, regardless of the risk of complications. It is mandatory to take the drug in the presence of 3 or more risk factors for the development of cardiovascular complications.
The basic drugs for the treatment of arterial hypertension:
- calcium antagonists. Contributes to dilation of peripheral vessels, reducing the risk of stroke, hypertrophy and blood clotting. Contraindicated in cases of severe heart failure and violations of intracardiac conduction.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors. Effective agent improves prognosis in patients with heart failure. The drug prevents kidney disease and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Beta-blockers are prescribed for hypertension, associated with arrhythmias and coronary heart disease. Therapy with these drugs is indicated for patients with bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac conduction disturbances. Less common drugs are alpha blockers, imidazoline receptor agonists, and renin inhibitors.
Strategies to treat hypertension
If you follow federal guidelines for treating high blood pressure, a medication should only be used if there is a slight risk of complications. If single-component drug therapy is not effective, then only funds belonging to other groups can be replenished.
The patient has a blood pressure value between 180 and 100 mm Hg. Art. Initially, it was recommended to prescribe a two-component drug therapy:
- adrenoblocker, calcium channel blockers (dihydropyridine), and ACE inhibitors;
- blockers, diuretics and ACE inhibitors;
- adrenoblocker, diuretics and aldosterone receptor antagonists.
Many patients, because they have to take a large number of tablets a day, voluntarily stop taking antihypertensive drugs, leading to many serious consequences. To solve this problem, it is not uncommon for pharmaceutical companies to have started to produce combination drugs that combine two drugs to treat high blood pressure.
To increase the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs, additional drugs are prescribed - antiplatelet agents and statins. Tablets are also needed to keep cholesterol values within acceptable limits - from 4 to 5 mmol / l. This approach eliminates the possibility of complications from the cardiovascular system.
Additional treatments
Often, drug treatment is not enough. The treatment of high blood pressure must be approached in a holistic manner. Only in this case can you count on achieving a quick and stable result.
Physiotherapy to treat hypertension
This method of treating high blood pressure deserves special attention, as it is quite effective, especially in combination with drug treatment.
The most successful procedures for hypertensive physiotherapy are:
- Electronic sleep. A set of methods for influencing the patient's body with the help of electrical energy. The advantage of this method is the beneficial effect on the central nervous system (central nervous system), the activity of the endocrine glands and metabolism. The intense flow not only improves blood circulation, but also reduces bad cholesterol in the blood.
- Galvanized. The use of low-frequency current (up to 60-80 V) to stimulate physicochemical processes in tissues and cells. With the advent of drugs, this procedure became known as drug electrophoresis. For the treatment of hypertension, the impact is made on the calf muscles, the intermuscular region and the collar area.
- Balance therapy. The program includes Charcot baths, baths with perozone, iodine, bromine, etc. The procedures have a gentle effect and are indicated only in the early stages of the disease. Shown to prevent the development of strokes and heart attacks.
- Magnetic therapy. The physical therapy procedure involves exposure to an alternating magnetic field. Widely used for 1 and 2 degree arterial hypertension. Electric current is delivered to the brain through the back of the head, which stimulates blood flow and reduces heart rate.
- Diadynamic therapy. Macrobiotics have therapeutic effects on the genitourinary system and kidneys to reduce the synthesis of angiotensin (a hormone that constricts blood vessels).
Physiotherapy reduces the dosage of drugs, normalizes blood pressure and strengthens blood vessels. These procedures improve the functioning of the heart, preventing blood pressure from skyrocketing. Parts of the central nervous system are stabilized, which contributes to the normalization of blood pressure. Excitement and nerve endings stop, damaged nerve cells regenerate, and hypertension stops progressing. Heart and kidney complications are minimized.
Surgical method
To eliminate the cause of arterial hypertension, radiofrequency destruction of the renal nerves is prescribed. This procedure is aimed at eliminating autonomic stimulation of the "kidney" mechanisms that increase blood pressure.
An effective surgical treatment for hypertension is stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors. This result is achieved through electrical stimulation of the carotid artery. Despite the effectiveness of surgical treatment, there is no information on safety. The use of this antihypertensive treatment is only recommended for patients who are resistant to the three antihypertensive drugs.
Exercise
With hypertension, gymnastics is the most effective. Thanks to our doctors' years of experience with patients with high blood pressure, we were able to discover which drug therapy is much more effective when combined with dosed physical activity.
Physical exercises are aimed at reducing the dosage of the drug in order to exclude the development of side effects. With daily training, most patients can give up the drug completely.
Neck exercise in the treatment of hypertension improves the function of the spine. Regular exercise helps:
- remove the clamping muscles;
- improve the nutrition of the intervertebral disc;
- normalizes blood flow of blood vessels in the neck;
- restores blood circulation of the brain;
- establish metabolic processes that support normal blood pressure;
- increase the level of physical activity, and, accordingly, burn excess calories;
- activates the work of blood vessels by saturating the heart muscle with oxygen.
Remember that only regular exercise makes sense. It is necessary to determine in advance the time and place of the exercises. During class, it should be comfortable and convenient so that no one gets distracted and you can concentrate.
Elements of gymnastics for the treatment of hypertension:
- "Metronome". Alternately immobilize the neck for 10 seconds on the right and left side.
- "Heron". Chin extended upwards, arms lowered. Every 10 seconds we return to the starting position for 1-2 seconds.
- "Spring". Retract and lengthen the chin with fixation for 5-10 seconds.
- "Sadness". Bend your head alternately to one shoulder, then the other.
- "Frames". Left hand on right shoulder, head to left. Then repeat for the right hand.
- "Fakir". Palm over head so fingers are facing up. Turn your head to the sides every 10 seconds.
- "Plane". Arms spread out to the sides, elbows not bent. Every 10 seconds, the arms are lowered to rest.
Effective exercises for high blood pressure
Moderate physical activity helps train the central nervous system and strengthens blood vessels. Blood vessels quickly normalize, which improves health. With hypertension, only dose-based loading is allowed.
Set of exercises for patients with hypertension (we repeat each element 5-6 times):
- Feet shoulder width apart, arms raised. We stood up. Slowly lower your hand. Shake the brush, exhale.
- With both hands on the waist, rotate the pelvis in both directions.
- Run lightly in place for 1-2 minutes. To restore our breathing, we turn to walking.
- With both hands on the waist, when breathing in we bend forward, draw our head back, when exhaling we straighten our body.
- Feet shoulder width apart, hands on waist. On inspiration, we make the spring lean forward, on exhalation - backward, head back.
Simple exercises help increase the capacity of the respiratory system by improving the elasticity of the blood vessels. Harmful products accumulated in the body are eliminated much faster, reducing the burden on the kidneys. The immune system is strengthened and the ventilation of the lungs is improved.
Physical activity is contraindicated in patients with blood pressure above 180/120 mm Hg. Art. , and also after a hypertensive crisis. It is unacceptable that exercise carries a risk of heart attack and stroke. An absolute contraindication is atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal tachycardia, thrombosis, asthenia and angina attacks.
If during exercise, pain appears in the chest, shortness of breath appears or the heart rhythm is disturbed, then classes should be interrupted. In this case, you need to see a general practitioner who will diagnose and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Treatment of hypertension in a nursing home
Treatment of hypertension is a long and responsible process, which brings results only if the recommendations of the doctor are followed. Self-medication can cause serious complications that endanger not only your health, but also your life. Any measure must first be agreed and approved by an expert.
The nursing home has everything needed to perform diagnostic measures in the hypertensive equipment line: electrocardiogram, ultrasound. The course of treatment is carried out with the use of: physiotherapy, ballot therapy, halotherapy.