High pressure

• Disease:hypertension
• What is surprising: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:stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney disease
• Doctor:cardiologist
• Treatment:conservative, lifestyle modification
• Prevention:diet, timely control

Hypertension: what type of disease is it?

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

To understand what hypertension is, you need to know what blood pressure is. When 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, providing cells with oxygen and nutrients.

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

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

In addition, an increase in blood pressure is caused by too much blood being pumped out by the heart and by blood that is too thick, which has difficulty circulating 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 persistent high blood pressure is associated with a high risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Besides the medical problem, the problem of hypertension also has a social aspect. Every year, more and more young people under the age of 40 complain of hypertension. 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 because the muscles need more 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. art. Art. The first number is called systolic pressure - this is the load exerted on the blood vessel walls 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 on your wrist. The peak pressure in the blood vessels occurs immediately after the heart beats, which is why it is also called cardiac or systolic.

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

If the tonometer, when regularly measuring blood pressure, shows figures higher than normal, then the cardiologist diagnoses "high blood pressure" or "hypertension". Moreover, even a single digit increase indicates pathology.

Causes of high blood pressure

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

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

The main theory of hypertension is neurogenic. It was developed by domestic scientists and is still considered one of the most reliable. According to him, the impetus for the emergence and development of 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 damage. The cause of high blood pressure 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 when taking oral contraceptives.

Symptoms

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

Symptoms of high blood pressure may appear periodically, but some occur regularly. It is necessary to pay attention to the signs of hypertension at the initial stage of the disease:

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

Symptoms of high blood pressure can appear individually or in combination, but even one of the alarming signs of malaise is reason enough to consult a doctor.

Important!Taking pain relievers for a typical high blood pressure headache may temporarily relieve the symptoms of hypertension, but pain relievers do not eliminate the root cause. Long-term attempts to alleviate the condition with pills can worsen 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 problems.

Risk factors

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

• Ground.In men, hypertension most often develops between the ages of 40 and 50, they are more prone to this disease. In women, the first symptoms appear in most cases 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 suffers from hypertension, the risk of developing the disease increases significantly.
• High levels of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.Atherosclerotic plaques on 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 interruption for walks in the fresh air.Physical inactivity prevents enough 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. In addition, excess weight is usually caused by poor nutrition, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and impairs blood circulation.
• A diet with an excess of salty and fatty foods.Salt retains fluid in the body and causes swelling. Excessive salt consumption is associated with an accelerated pace of life, the 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 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, certain cough and headache remedies, especially those containing caffeine or codeine.
• Smoking.Nicotine and tar that enter the bloodstream with tobacco smoke cause vasospasm and increased blood pressure.
• Alcohol abuse.Almost all people who drink alcohol frequently are diagnosed with hypertension.

Secondary hypertension occurs in diseases of various organs and systems:

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

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

Important!Normalization of blood pressure in secondary hypertension depends on treatment of the underlying disease. Taking medications to lower blood pressure without a doctor's prescription will not give the desired effect.

What to do if you have high blood pressure

Taking into account the high prevalence of arterial hypertension and the large number of risk factors for the appearance and development of pathology, every person should have a device for measuring blood pressure. It is best to get into the habit of measuring blood pressure daily and do it twice a day - morning and 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 accessible methods:

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

If your blood pressure suddenly rises and you feel unwell, you should lie down quietly in a dark room, without being distracted by gadgets.

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

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

What to do before the doctor arrives

If a hypertensive crisis develops, it is necessary to call an ambulance. There are several simple ways to normalize the condition that can be used before the arrival of the doctor. These recommendations are important for anyone with high blood pressure or living with people at increased risk. Here's what you can do:

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

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

Preventative 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 developing hypertension is present, it is necessary to start paying increased attention to preventive measures as early as possible:

• keep a blood pressure diary, in which you record tonometer readings, including pulse, twice a day;
• eat right, normalize your weight and give up bad eating habits - overeating, eating too fatty foods, large amounts of sweet and salty foods;
• give up alcohol and tobacco - 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 better to exercise in the gym under the supervision of an experienced trainer;
• Avoid stress if possible - this will be facilitated by regular communication with friends and family, relaxation outside the home and normalization of relationships within the team and family.

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

Treatment of high blood pressure

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

Mandatory hospitalization is necessary in case of 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 can 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 medications

Modern pharmacology offers a wide variety of drugs for hypertension of different types. Most of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Besides the positive aspects of this approach, there are also negative aspects. Many people suffering from high blood pressure start taking medications randomly or on the advice of friends and relatives, which leads to a worsening of their 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;
• sartans- 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 drugs selectively affect the condition of blood vessels.

Among the drugs that lower blood pressure, diuretics, beta blockers and a number of other groups of drugs should also be noted.

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

A well-balanced diet is an important factor in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. A diet for high blood pressure should be balanced.

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

• animal fats, palm oil, butter and coconut oil, 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:

• sea fish, rich in healthy fatty amino acids;
• fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables (at least 5 per day), aromatic herbs;
• vegetable oils – olive, flaxseed, sunflower, corn, sesame;
• foods high in fiber (in addition to vegetables and fruits, this includes brown rice and durum wheat pasta);
• whole grain porridge.

If you have high blood pressure, you should be careful when drinking coffee. A cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning will not hurt, but throughout the day it is better to drink plain 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 be taken only after consulting a doctor. You need 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 boiled beets with honey and lemon;
• oatmeal decoction;
• viburnum infusion;
• decoction of cloves and some other remedies.

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

What not to do if you have hypertension

Strict bans and restrictions mainly concern severe stages of hypertension. From the first symptoms of the disease, only alcohol and tobacco are completely prohibited.

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

Complications

It should be understood that the health of the whole body depends on the state of the cardiovascular system. Vascular pathology of 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 you avoid dangerous complications associated with high blood pressure.

Conclusion

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