High pressure

• Illness: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:cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, kidney disease
• Doctor:cardiologist
• Treatment:conservative, lifestyle modification
• Prevention:diet, timely control

Hypertension: what kind 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 it must not exceed 120/80.

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 vessels: it depends on the force of contraction of the heart muscle. The 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 when the heart muscle contracts and contract rapidly when it relaxes.

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

In addition, an increase in blood pressure is caused by an excessive amount of blood emitted by the heart and excessively thick blood, which has difficulty moving through the vessels. Not only atherosclerosis, but also spasms in 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 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 high blood pressure. Although only a couple of decades ago, the age structure of patients was dominated by people over the age of 60.

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 drops.

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 feeling your pulse on 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, i. e. during the rest period of the heart muscle, it is called diastolic.

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

Causes of high blood pressure

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

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

The leading theory of hypertension is neurogenic. It was developed by domestic scientists and is still considered one of the most reliable. According to it, the impetus for the emergence and development of pathology is nervous overload affecting 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 injury. 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 taking 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.

Symptoms of hypertension may appear periodically, but some occur regularly. It is necessary to pay attention to the signs of hypertension in the initial stage 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 of the 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 of lack of air, inability to breathe deeply;
• periodic nosebleeds.

Symptoms of hypertension can occur individually or in combination, but even just one of the alarming signs of malaise is enough reason to consult a doctor.

Important!Taking pain relievers for a typical high blood pressure headache can 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 aggravate the course of the disease and complicate further treatment.

You should also look out for 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

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

• Flooring.In men, hypertension develops more often at the age of 40-50 years, 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 requiring constant concentration, family problems, difficulties in personal life, financial problems, etc.
• Genetic predisposition.If both parents or at least one of them suffer 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 on the computer without breaks for walks in the fresh air.Physical inactivity prevents a sufficient amount of oxygen from entering the blood and slows blood circulation. Congestion negatively affects the tone of the blood vessels, the walls of which gradually lose elasticity.
• Overweight and obesity.People with a high BMI 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.
• 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, failure to maintain healthy eating habits and an unbalanced diet.
• Side effect after taking some medications. 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 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 disease(renal artery stenosis) lead to a deterioration of 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 diseases and some other hormonal disorders;
• 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 subsequent therapy.

Important!Normalization of blood pressure in secondary hypertension depends on treatment of the underlying disease. Taking drugs to lower blood pressure 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 large number of risk factors for the onset and development of the 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, it is not possible to postpone a visit to the doctor.

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

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

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

Important!When your blood pressure rises, it is not advisable to stay glued to your smartphone or laptop, watching TV or reading. 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 according to 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 develops, you need 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 anyone who has high blood pressure or lives 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, undo the buttons of the clothes, provide a flow of 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 lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Prevention measures

The fact that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat more accurately describes hypertension. If at least one of the risk factors for the development of hypertension is present, you need 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 well, normalize weight and abandon bad eating habits - overeating, consumption of excessively fatty foods, large amounts 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 better to exercise in the gym under the supervision of an experienced trainer;
• If possible, avoid stress: regular communication with friends and family, relaxation outside the home, normalization of relationships in the team and family will contribute to this.

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 basis or in a hospital setting.

Mandatory hospitalization is necessary in case of hypertensive crisis with 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, strictly adhering to 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 variety of drugs for hypertension of various types. Most of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. In addition to 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 the condition.

Drugs 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 in the body that narrow blood vessels;
• Sartans- blockers of receptors that perceive hormones that influence 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 examination results. They should be taken strictly according to the regimen prescribed by the attending physician.

Diet

A correct 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 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 amount in finished products.

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

• sea fish, rich in healthy fatty amino acids;
• fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables (at least 5 per day), aromatic herbs;
• vegetable oils: olive, linseed, sunflower, corn, sesame;
• foods rich in fiber (in addition to fruits and vegetables, 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 does not hurt, but during the day it is better to drink pure 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 must understand that any traditional medicine can only be an addition 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;
• oat 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 suffer from hypertension

Severe bans and restrictions mainly concern 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 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 entire body depends on the state of the cardiovascular system. Vascular pathology in hypertension can lead to serious consequences, in particular cerebrovascular accident 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 the doctor and careful compliance with all recommendations will help you 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 successfully fight it. The key to success is contacting a specialist at the first symptoms, a healthy lifestyle and trust in your doctor.