Hypertension (increase in pressure)

An increase in pressure above the age rule is correct to call arterial hypertension.

If the pressure increases often or for a long time and during the exam, it is not possible to identify the causes of this, hypertension is diagnosed.If a person has any disease that causes increased pressure (for example, traumatic brain lesions in the past, kidney diseases, etc.), then speak of secondary arterial hypertension.However, in collapse, all cases of greater pressure are often called hypertension.

Hypertension is known as a "quiet killer", since it does not always have evident symptoms, especially in the initial stages.It has been established that the increase in pressure has 20-30 % of the adult population, although many have not known their disease for a long time.If hypertension is not treated, the risks of a heart attack or stroke increase.The only way to know the presence of a problem isregularly measure blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the power with which blood pressure against the walls of the blood vessels and the heart.With hypertension, blood pressure on the arteries and the heart becomes excessively high, which leads to the premature wear of these organs and increases the danger of other diseases, for example a compromised renal or brain function.

Blood pressure is measured in Mermurio millimeters (MM HG) and is fixed in two dimensions:

• Systolic pressure - blood pressure when the heart is reduced and pushes the blood into the arteries;
• Diastolic pressure - blood pressure at the time of relaxation of the cardiac muscle between two contractions.

For example, if the doctor says that blood pressure is "140 for 90", this means that the systolic pressure is 140 mm hg.Art. And diastolic pressure - 90 mm hg.Art.

Optimal blood pressure in an adult is considered less than 120/80 mm hg.Art.However, within the standard there are numbers at 139/89 included.If, according to the results of different measurements, the pressure exceeds the included 140/90, arterial hypertension is necessary, an additional examination is necessary and, possibly, the treatment.

Symptoms of arterial hypertension (hypertension)

An increase in blood pressure is not always accompanied by a change in well -being.The only way to find out if you have hypertension is to measure blood pressure.Adults should control blood pressure at least once every five years.

If you are pregnant, it is important to constantly check blood pressure, even if it is not high.The observation of blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of complications.The increase in blood pressure in a pregnant woman can lead to preeclampsia.This is a dangerous condition in which there is a problem with the placenta (the organ that provides the blood circulation of the unborn child).

Sometimes the high pressure symptoms are:

• heachache;
• darkening or double in the eyes;
• Bleeding from the nose;
• dyspnea.

These signs appear in people with very high pressure.If you find one of these symptoms, consult a doctor.Without treatment, arterial hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke and heart attack.Take an appointment immediately with the therapist if you find one of these symptoms or greater pressure.If the symptoms are significantly expressed, call an ambulance.

Causes of hypertension (arterial hypertension)

In over 90% of cases, it is not possible to establish the cause of the increase in blood pressure.So hypertension is called essential or primary.The factors that can increase the risk of primary hypertension from you include:

• Age: the risk of developing hypertension increases with age;
• In your family there were cases of hypertension (the disease can be hereditary);
• Excess salt in your diet;
• Lack of physical exercises;
• completeness;
• smoke;
• alcohol abuse;
• stress.

Known causes of hypertension

About 10% of high pressure cases is the result of a certain disease or specific cause.These cases refer to secondary hypertension.Typical pressure causes in this case are:

• nephropathy;
• diabetes mellitus;
• narrowing of the arteries that provide the kidneys;
• hormonal diseases, such as Kushing syndrome (a disease in which the body produces too many steroid hormones);
• Diseases that influence the connective tissues of the body, for example systemic lupus erythematosus;
• contraceptives (oral contraceptives);
• painkillers, known as non -short anti -anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• Club drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamine and crystalline methamphetamine;
• Some vegetable drugs, herbal additives.

Diagnosis of hypertension

To diagnose arterial hypertension and identify their possible causes, mainly resort to the systematic measurement of blood pressure.This can be done both by a medical worker and independently, using a domestic apparatus to measure pressure.

Healthy people in the age of over 40 should measure blood pressure at least once every five years.If you have an increased risk of hypertension, you should check blood pressure more often, ideally once a year.

Blood pressure control is generally easy to conduct in most clinics and hospitals.Blood pressure is generally measured using a tometer (pressure indicator), a device that consists of a stethoscope, a bracelet, a measuring device, an air injection and a valve.

The bracelet is wrapped around the shoulder and pumped to limit the bloodstream in the artery.So the air in the bracelet starts slowly slowing down, listening to the wrist with a stethoscope.Listen to your impulse in a place under the bracelet with descent air allows you to obtain reliable data on the readings of blood pressure.In addition, automatic (digital) tonometers are now common, which measure pressure and impulse using electrical sensors.

Before proceeding with the measurement of blood pressure, you should relax for at least five minutes and empty the bladder.To get the right testimony of blood pressure, you have to sit and not talk during manipulation.

If with one of the measurements you have found an increase in blood pressure, this does not necessarily mean that you have hypertension.During the day, the blood pressure level can float.The pressure can increase while taking the doctor due to anxiety and stress.In these cases, it is advisable to measure the pressure during the day alone, using a tomeper at home.By excluding the "fear of the white garment", you can get more objective indicators.

It is also possible to test in the blood and urine to verify the presence of diseases that increase the risk of high blood pressure, for example kidney diseases.

Decipher tome

Blood pressure is measured in Millimeters of Mercury Mercury (MM RT. Art.) And is fixed in two ranges:

• Systolic pressure - blood pressure when the heart is reduced and pushes the blood into the arteries;
• Diastolic pressure - blood pressure at the time of relaxation of the cardiac muscle between two contractions.

For example, if the systolic blood pressure is 140 mm hg.Art. And the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mm hg.Art., So they say that your pressure is 140 for 90.

Ideally, blood pressure should be less than 120/80.However, the indications lower than 140/90 are generally considered normal.If you have a kidney disease, diabetes or heart disease and circulatory system, target blood pressure should be less than 130/80 mm hg.Art.

If the pressure indicators for several days are higher than the sign of 140/90, arterial hypertension is necessary and further examination is required.

High pressure treatment

Effective actions to reduce blood pressure are in a change in lifestyle and drugs.The choice of the treatment regime will depend on the blood pressure level and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

If the blood pressure is slightly greater than 130/80 mm hg.Art. And at the same time, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in low -vascular diseases, so you should be able to reduce pressure only by making certain changes to your lifestyle.

If blood pressure is moderately high (140/90 mm Hg or higher) and there is a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in you in the next 10 years, the treatment will include drugs and regulation of your lifestyle.

If the blood pressure is very high (180/110 mm hg or higher), then in the near future you need treatment, possibly with an additional exam, depending on the state of your health.

Lifestyle with arterial hypertension

Below are some changes that you could make to your lifestyle to reduce pressure.Some of them will lead to a rapid improvement within a few weeks, others will influence a longer period.

• Reduce the consumption of salt less than 6 grams per day.
• Eat a healthy food, low in fat and balanced in the composition, including many fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Be active: keeping physical activity is one of the key things you should do to prevent or control hypertension.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Refuse smoking.Smoking significantly increases the probability of developing lungs and heart disease.
• Lose weight.
• Drink less coffee, tea or other caffeine drinks, such as the cola.The use of more than four cups of coffee per day can increase blood pressure.
• Try to use relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and stress management (autogenic training).

The healthiest habits that you will master, the more positive it will have.In practice, some people discover that when they maintain a healthy lifestyle, they generally need to take medicines.

Treatment of the drug hypertension

There is a wide selection of drugs that lower the pressure.It may be necessary to take more than one type of drug, because sometimes the treatment of hypertension needs a combination of different drugs.

In some cases, you will have to press pressure by reducing the pressure for life.However, if your blood pressure level remains under control for several years, you will have the opportunity to stop medicinal treatment.Most high pressure drugs can cause side effects, but this problem can be solved by replacing the drugs taken.

Tell your doctor if you have one of the following common side effects of drug intake:

• a feeling of sleepiness;
• renal pain (in the lower part of the back);
• dry cough;
• dizziness, exhaustion or lethargy;
• Raw on the skin.

Below are the most used drugs for high pressure.

1. Anggiotense's ENZIMINA inhibitors -Productive (APF)Reduce blood pressure, relaxing the walls of the blood vessels.The most common side effect is a constant dry cough.If the side effects begin to disturb too much, drugs such as the antagonists of the angiotensin-2 receptor can recommend you, whose action is similar to the action of ace inhibitors.

   The ACE -Inbiters can cause unexpected side effects if they are taken together with others, including drugs.Before taking any additional drug, consulting a doctor if their combination of negative side effects will cause them.

2. Blockers of the football channel(Calcium antagonists) prevent calcium in the cells of the muscle tissue of the heart and blood vessels.This leads to the expansion of the arteries (large blood vessels) and the decrease in blood pressure.

   The use of grapefruit juice when assuming certain types of blockers of the calcium channel can increase the risk of side effects.More in detail you can discuss this problem with your doctor.

3. Diuretics(Diuretic) Agrimento due to the excretion of excess fluid and salt from the body.

4. Beta blockers (beta-blockers)They act by reducing the frequency and strength of cardiac contractions, thus reducing blood pressure.Previously, beta-blockers were a popular drug for high pressure, but at the moment they are usually used only when other means do not have the required effect.This is due to the fact that beta-blockers are considered less effective than other types of drugs for greater pressure.

   Beta -bloccanti can also influence the effect of other drugs, causing side effects.Consult your doctor before taking other drugs in combination with beta-blockers.

   Do not stop taking Beta suddenly without consulting the doctor.This can lead to serious side effects, such as an increase in blood pressure or an attack by Angina Pectoris.

5. Alpha Blockers (Alpha-Blockers)Usually, they are not recommended as a first choice drug to reduce high blood pressure, except when other drugs do not have the right effect.Alfa blockers act by relaxing the blood vessels, significantly facilitating the bloodstream inside.

   The common side effects of Alfa blockers include:

   • fainting to the first administration of the drug ("first effect dose");
   • dizziness;
   • heachache;
   • swelling of the ankles;
   • fatigue.

Complications of hypertension

The increase in blood pressure exerts an additional load on the heart and blood vessels.If hypertension is not treated, after a certain time the risk of developing heart attacks, strokes and kidneys increases.

Cardiovascular diseases for hypertension

Hypertension can cause many different diseases of the heart and blood vessels and heart pots (cardiovascular diseases), including:

• hit;
• myocardial infarction;
• Embolia: it occurs when a blood clot or an air bubble blocks a blood flow in a pot;
• Aneurysm: it develops when the blood vessel wall extends and can explode at any time, causing internal bleeding.

Kidney diseases and pressure increase

Hypertension can also cause damage to small blood vessels in the kidneys and has compromised their function.This complication can cause symptoms such as:

• fatigue;
• Edema of ankles, feet or hands (due to the delay of water in the body);
• dyspnea;
• the presence of blood in the urine;
• frequent urination, especially at night;
• Itchy skin.

Renal diseases are treated with drugs and food additives.More serious cases require a dialysis (the treatment procedure in which the blood is artificially cleaned of toxic metabolism products in the body) or kidney transplantation.

Prevention of the increase in pressure

The development of hypertension can be prevented by a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, performing regular physical exercises, restrictions on alcohol consumption and the refusal of smoke.

Smoking in itself does not cause high blood pressure, but significantly increases the risks of the infarction of myocardium and stroke.Smoking, like high blood pressure, leads to the narrowing of the arteries.If fumes in the presence of hypertension, your arteries will shrink much faster and the risks of developing heart and lung diseases in your future will increase significantly.

High pressure feeding

Reduce the amount of salt in your diet, eat many fruits and vegetables.The salt increases the pressure.The more consumption rooms, the greater your pressure.Try eating less than 6 g of salt per day, which is approximately equal to a teaspoon.

As demonstrated, the use of low -fat foods and a high fiber content (for example, whole wheat rice, bread and pasta) and a large amount of fruit and vegetables helps to reduce blood pressure.Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers that support your body in a healthy state.Try eating five portions of 80 g of fruit and vegetables every day.

Regular consumption of alcohol is above the rules allowed over time will lead to an increase in blood pressure.Men do not recommend using more than 2-4 portions of alcohol per day regularly and women more than 2-3.Regular use means every day or for most days of the week.1 portion of alcohol corresponds approximately to a glass of vodka, half a glass of wine or half a cup of beer.

In addition, since alcohol is highly caloric, its regular use leads to weight gain and, consequently, to increase blood pressure.

If you drink more than four cups of coffee a day, this can lead to an increase in pressure.If you are a big fan of coffee, tea or other caffeine drinks (such as Coca-Cola and some energy drinks), consider the possibility of reducing their consumption.It is very good when you drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it is important that such drinks are not your only source of liquid.

Weight and physical exercises for hypertension

Excessive weight forces the heart to work more intensely to pump blood through the whole body, which usually leads to an increase in blood pressure.If you really need to lose overweight, it is important to remember that the loss of even two or three kilograms of weight will lead to a significant change in blood pressure readings and will improve health in general.

An active lifestyle and a regular exercise lead to a decrease in blood pressure while maintaining the heart and blood vessels in good condition.Regular exercise also helps you to lose weight, which also helps you reduce blood pressure.

An adult should have passed every week for at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) on moderate open intensity exercises, such as cycling or fast walk.When performing exercises, you should focus on the fact that you should feel heated and slightly breathless.A complete person, in order to reach this state, can prove to be a little enough in the hill.Physical activity can include a variety of exercises, from sports to walking and work in the garden.

Relaxation exercises can reduce blood pressure.They include:

• Stress management (autogenic training), meditation or yoga.
• Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, which focuses on how your thoughts and beliefs can influence your well-being and the ability to cope with problems.You can discuss with your doctor the opportunity to undergo this psychotherapy.
• Biological feedback (the self -regulation method used to help you with the conscious regulation of blood pressure): on a small monitor, you will demonstrate the heartbeat or blood pressure in real time.A removal for organic feedback can be carried out by the doctor.

Which doctor to contact with hypertension?

If you have greater pressure, find a good therapist able to understand the causes of the disease and prescribe treatment.If you have heart complaints or there are chronic cardiovascular diseases, choose a cardiologist.