High pressure

• disease:hypertension
• what amazes: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 examination

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 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 vessels - it depends on the force of contraction of the heart muscle. The blood is then distributed throughout the body through the vessels, supplying the cells with oxygen and nutrients.

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

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

Also, an increase in blood pressure causes too much blood emitted by the heart and excessively thick blood, which moves with difficulty through the blood 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 persistently high blood pressure is associated with a high risk of heart attack, stroke 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 the age of 40 complain of high blood pressure. Although just 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 additional 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. capeArt. The first number is called systolic pressure - it is the load on the walls of the blood vessels immediately after the opening of the heart valve. You can feel this moment by placing your hand on the left side of your chest or by feeling the 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 strokes, ie. during the resting period of the heart muscle is called diastolic.

If the tonometer during regular blood pressure measurement shows numbers above normal, then the cardiologist diagnoses "arterial hypertension" or "hypertension". Moreover, even an increase of just one number indicates pathology.

Causes of high blood pressure

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

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 brain structures that regulate pressure.

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

• Disorder of vascular tone due to brain or spinal cord injuries. The cause of high blood pressure can also be osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - constant tension of the back and neck muscles 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 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 occur occasionally, 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, reduced efficiency, feeling tired even in the morning;
• dizziness accompanied by mild nausea;
• tinnitus, hearing problems;
• flickering 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 high blood pressure can appear individually or in combination, but even one of the alarming signs of weakness is reason enough to consult a doctor.

Important!Taking analgesics for a typical high blood pressure headache can temporarily relieve the symptoms of hypertension, but painkillers do not remove the underlying cause. Long-term attempts to relieve the condition with pills can worsen the course of the disease and make further treatment more difficult.

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 impairment.

Risk factors

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

• Cat.In men, hypertension most often develops at the age of 40-50 years, they are more prone to this disease. In women, the first symptoms in most cases occur during menopause and are associated with hormonal changes during that period.
• Life under constant stress:hard work that requires constant concentration, family troubles, 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 level 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 breaks for walks in the fresh air.Physical inactivity prevents sufficient oxygen from entering the blood and slows blood circulation. Congestion negatively affects the tone of blood vessels, whose walls 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 impedes 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.
• A side effect after taking certain medications.People prone to hypertension are not recommended to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some cough and headache drugs, 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 disease(stenosis of the renal artery) lead to deterioration of blood supply to the kidneys and a compensatory "increase" in blood flow;
• endocrine system- blood pressure increases with tumors of the adrenal cortex, thyroid gland disease and some other hormonal disorders;
• nervous system- encephalitis, brain tumors, etc.

The cause of a permanent increase in blood pressure is determined after a detailed comprehensive examination. Correct identification of the cause of the disease determines the effectiveness and nature of subsequent therapy.

Important!Normalization of blood pressure in secondary hypertension depends on the treatment of the underlying disease. Taking medicines 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 occurrence and development of pathology, every person should have a device for measuring blood pressure. It is better to make it a habit to measure your blood pressure daily, twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.

If the tonometer readings constantly exceed the norm, then a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed.

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

• Gently massage 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 temperature of the water should be carefully monitored, it should not be significantly higher than body temperature. A bath that is too hot can only make the condition worse.
• Mustard plasters placed on the back of the neck or on the ankle area will help expand the arteries and normalize blood flow.

If your blood pressure suddenly rises and you don't feel well, you need to lie down quietly in a darkened room without being disturbed by devices.

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

If the diagnosis of hypertension has already been established, it is necessary to take all the medicines prescribed by the doctor strictly according to the prescribed regimen. You should not stop taking the 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 who suffers from high blood pressure or lives with people at increased risk. Here's what you can do:

• put 1 vasodilator tablet 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, ensure the flow of fresh air;
• make a warm foot bath for 10-15 minutes;
• drink an alcoholic solution of lemon balm or valerian.

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

Prevention 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 hypertension is present, it is necessary to start paying increased 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 properly, normalize weight and give up 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 exercising in the gym is best done under the supervision of an experienced trainer;
• Avoid stress if possible - this will be helped by regular communication with friends and family, relaxation outside the home, normalization of relationships in the team and family.

A healthy lifestyle and careful attention to your health is 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.

A hypertensive crisis with a high risk of stroke requires mandatory hospitalization. In this condition, the patient must be under constant medical supervision until the dangerous symptoms subside. In the future, the patient can switch to outpatient treatment, with strict adherence to medical recommendations.

The treatment regimen for hypertension and the composition of complex therapy is determined by the doctor based on the results of a comprehensive examination.

Pills and medicines

Modern pharmacology offers a wide selection of drugs for hypertension of various types. Most of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Along with the positive aspects of this approach, there are also negative features. Many people suffering from high blood pressure start taking medicines randomly 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 in the body that narrow blood vessels;
• sartani- receptor blockers that perceive hormones that affect vascular tone;
• calcium antagonists- expand blood vessels and reduce the resistance of their walls;
• dihydropyridineslong-acting and short-acting drugs selectively affect the state of blood vessels.

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

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 proper 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 eliminated 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 - no more than 5 g per day, taking into account its amount in finished products.

It is recommended to include in your 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;
• foods rich in fiber (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. One morning cup of freshly ground coffee will not hurt, but during 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 must understand that any traditional medicine can only be a supplement to the main treatment and cannot replace it.

The following will help lower your blood pressure:

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

You can buy ready-made antihypertensive herbal mixtures at a pharmacy - it is much safer than buying from the market.

What not to do if you have hypertension

Strict prohibitions and restrictions refer mainly to 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 the lifestyle and diet - giving up 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 in hypertension can lead to serious consequences, especially cerebrovascular infarction and myocardial infarction.

Other complications of hypertension include:

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

A timely visit to the 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 in the world. Despite doubts about the causes of the disease, modern medicine has learned to successfully fight against it. The key to success is contacting a specialist at the first symptoms, a healthy lifestyle and trusting your doctor.