High pressure

• Disease:hypertension
• What impresses:cardiovascular system, target organs (brain, kidneys, other organs)
• Reasons:nervous overload, hormonal imbalance, vascular dystonia of various origins
• Symptoms:headache, dizziness, weakness, spots before the eyes
• Complications:cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, kidney diseases
• Doctor:cardiologist
• Treatment:conservative, lifestyle modification
• Prevention:diet, timely examination

Hypertension - what kind 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 should not exceed 120/80 at rest.

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

The walls of healthy blood vessels are elastic. They stretch easily when a large volume of blood is released during contraction of the heart muscle, and contract quickly when relaxed.

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

Also, high blood pressure is caused by too much blood being pumped by the heart and too thick blood that has difficulty moving through the veins. Not only atherosclerosis, but also stressful situations, smoking and some systemic diseases cause spasms to cause 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 threat of persistent high blood pressure is associated with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. The problem of hypertension has a social side as well as a medical problem. Every year, more young people under the age of 40 complain of high blood pressure. 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 because the muscles require additional oxygen. 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 - this 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 by feeling the pulse in your wrist. The maximum pressure in the blood vessels occurs immediately after the heartbeat, so it is called cardiac or systolic.

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

If the tonometer regularly shows higher than normal numbers when measuring blood pressure, the cardiologist diagnoses "arterial hypertension" or "hypertension". Moreover, an increase of only one number indicates pathology.

Causes of high blood pressure

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

There are many reasons why blood pressure often rises. In modern science and medicine, new information about cardiovascular diseases appears regularly. However, the mechanism of development of hypertension has not yet been fully understood.

The main theory of hypertension is neurogenic. It was developed by local scientists and is still considered one of the most reliable. Therefore, the impetus for the emergence and development of pathology is the nerve load that affects the brain structures that regulate pressure.

In addition, a persistent increase in blood pressure can lead to:

• Violation of vascular tone due to damage to the brain or spinal cord. 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 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 associated with overwork or a mild cold.

Symptoms of high blood pressure may appear occasionally, but some occur regularly. At the initial stage of the disease, it is necessary to pay attention to the symptoms of hypertension:

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

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

It is important!Taking analgesics for a typical headache with high blood pressure can temporarily relieve the symptoms of hypertension, but painkillers do not eliminate the underlying cause. Long-term attempts to relieve 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 loss.

Risk factors

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

• Floor.Hypertension in men develops mostly at the age of 40-50, 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 has 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 hours of continuous work at the computer for walks in the fresh air.Physical inactivity prevents sufficient oxygen from entering the blood and slows blood circulation. Blockage negatively affects the tone of blood vessels, their walls 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 heavy 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 flow.
• Diet with excessive salt and fatty foods.Salt retains fluid in the body and causes swelling. Excessive salt consumption is associated with an increased pace of life, not maintaining healthy eating habits and an unbalanced diet.
• A side effect after taking certain drugs.People prone to hypertension are not recommended to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some cough and headache remedies, especially those containing caffeine or codeine.
• To smoke.Nicotine and tar entering the blood with tobacco smoke cause vasospasm and increase blood pressure.
• Alcohol abuse.Almost all people who frequently drink alcohol are diagnosed with hypertension.

Secondary hypertension occurs in diseases of various organs and systems:

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

The reason for the persistent increase in arterial pressure is determined after a thorough comprehensive examination. Correct identification of the causes of the disease determines the effectiveness and character of the subsequent therapy.

It is important!Normalization of blood pressure in secondary hypertension depends on the treatment of the underlying disease. Taking antihypertensive drugs without a doctor's prescription will not give the desired effect.

What to do with high blood pressure

Considering the high prevalence of arterial hypertension and the many risk factors for the occurrence and development of pathology, every person should have a device to measure blood pressure. It is better 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.

Using several simple and accessible methods, you can lower your blood pressure and normalize your condition before consulting a specialist:

• Lightly massage the head and neck area. Circular massage movements will increase blood flow and eliminate vascular spasm.
• You can take a warm bath with sea salt solution. Water temperature should be monitored very carefully, it should not be significantly higher than body temperature. A very hot bath can only make the condition worse.
• Mustard plasters placed on the back of the neck or in the area of the ankles will help expand the vessels and normalize blood flow.

If your blood pressure suddenly rises and you feel bad, you need to lie quietly in a dark room without distraction from gadgets.

It is important!When blood pressure rises, it is not recommended to stick to a smartphone or laptop, watch TV, or read a book. Excessive eye strain will further increase blood pressure readings.

If the diagnosis of hypertension has already been made, it is necessary to strictly take all the drugs prescribed by the doctor in accordance with the prescribed regimen. You should not stop taking the medicine 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 that can be used before the doctor arrives to normalize the situation. These recommendations are important for anyone who suffers from high blood pressure or lives with people who are at high risk. What you can do:

• Place 1 tablet of the vasodilator drug under the tongue until it is completely absorbed;
• lie on your back with a high pillow under your head;
• open the window, unbutton the clothes, provide fresh air flow;
• Take a warm foot bath for 10-15 minutes;
• drink an alcohol solution of motherwort or valerian.

It is important!Failure to treat hypertensive crisis can result in stroke or heart attack.

Preventive measures

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

• keep a blood pressure diary in which you record tonometer readings, including pulse rate, twice a day;
• eat right, normalize weight and give up bad eating habits - overeating, consumption of excessively fatty foods, a large amount 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 spend time on physical activity and walking in the fresh air, and training in the gym is best done under the supervision of an experienced trainer;
• If possible, avoid stress - this will be helped by regular communication with friends and family, rest outside the home, normalization of relationships in the team and family.

A healthy lifestyle and taking care of your health is the key to your health for many years.

Treatment of high blood pressure

Treatment of hypertension is carried out in an outpatient setting or in a hospital setting.

Compulsory hospitalization is required for a hypertensive crisis with a high risk of stroke. In this case, the patient should be under constant medical supervision until the dangerous symptoms disappear. In the future, the patient can switch to outpatient treatment, strictly following 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 drugs for different types of hypertension. Most of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. This approach has both advantages and disadvantages. Many people suffering from high blood pressure start taking medicines accidentally or on the advice of friends and relatives, which leads to worsening of the condition.

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

• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)- drugs that suppress the production of certain hormones that constrict blood vessels in the body;
• sartans- blockers of receptors that accept hormones affecting vascular tone;
• calcium antagonists- expand blood vessels and reduce the resistance of their walls;
• dihydropyridinesLong-term and short-acting drugs have a selective effect on the condition of blood vessels.

Diuretics, beta-blockers and a number of other drug groups should be mentioned among drugs that lower blood pressure.

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

Diet

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

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

• animal fats, palm, butter and coconut oil, margarine;
• sweet products, white bread, milk chocolate and other sweets;
• salt - should not exceed 5 g per day, taking into account the amount in finished products.

It is recommended 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;
• high-fiber foods (in addition to vegetables and fruits, this includes brown rice, durum wheat pasta);
• whole grain porridge.

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

Folk treatment

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 should understand that any traditional medicine can only be an addition to the main treatment and cannot replace it.

The following will help lower blood pressure:

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

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

What not to do if you have hypertension

Strict prohibitions and restrictions apply mainly to severe stages of hypertension. At the first signs 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, avoiding stressful situations.

Complications

It is necessary to understand that the health of the whole body depends on the state of the cardiovascular system. Vascular pathology in hypertension can lead to serious consequences, especially cerebrovascular accident and myocardial infarction.

Other complications of hypertension include:

• atherosclerosis, heart failure, angina pectoris;
• visual impairment;
• diabetes mellitus and other endocrine pathologies;
• cerebral hemorrhage, encephalopathy, etc.

Visiting the doctor on time and carefully following all recommendations will help avoid dangerous complications associated with high blood pressure.

The result

Continuous 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 successfully fight it. The key to success is contacting a specialist at the first symptoms, a healthy lifestyle and trusting your doctor.