Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is a condition characterized by stability, that is, an increase in blood pressure detected by repeated measurements. Accompanying many diseases, it is considered a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications of the cardiovascular system, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension, as the main cause of the pathology under consideration, requires the intake of drugs, normalizing the lifestyle and nutrition of the patient.
Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from the people around them. According to statistics, hypertension is observed in 20-30% of the adult population of the earth.
This disease is found everywhere and is the leading cause of death in many countries. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - this disease is diagnosed as independent primary or essential arterial hypertension. And only in every tenth patient is it concomitant. This disease develops against the background of ailments of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.
What is arterial hypertension
Chronic disease, expressed in a constant or periodic increase in pressure. Doctors in almost all developed countries mark this disease as a 21st century epidemic. In Europe and the United States, it is detected in one in two elderly people. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of incidence is impressive and alarming. And although there has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of the elderly in recent decades, it still remains an insidious and dangerous disease. This is due to the fact that hypertension in the initial stages is asymptomatic. But the disease causes significant damage to health - it depletes the cardiovascular system. It is important that people at risk do not neglect prevention and treatment.
Causes and symptoms of hypertension
The reasons for the onset of pathology are different. Most of the time, doctors don't find them at all. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the causes of somatic (secondary) arterial hypertension can be established. It occurs in 10% of patients with high blood pressure. Main reason
- kidney damage or glomerulonephritis;
- stenosis of the renal arteries;
- congenital narrowing of the aorta;
- increase in the functions of the internal glands, especially the thyroid gland;
- against the background of tumors of the adrenal glands, malignant hypertension is formed;
- alcoholism:
- medicinal - develops during long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.
Symptoms of hypertension
Treatment in the initial stage is complicated by the fact that this disease has no specific symptoms. Many patients are unaware of the presence of the disease. They do not complain about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although occasionally they have bouts of weakness, dizziness and mild nausea.
Despite the serious consequences, many people do not take this disease seriously, neglecting prevention and treatment. In the early stages, the development of this disease can be stopped. Complaints in patients appear when the "targets" are damaged. These are the organs whose functioning depends on blood pressure. Complications of the disease most often damage the heart and blood vessels.
There are symptoms, although not specific, for which arterial hypertension is suspected. This is weakness, flies before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All of these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is headache.
Degrees and stages of hypertension
- Mild or first - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
- Borderline or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
- Severe or third degree - 180 and above / 110+.
Assign another form of the disease. This is isolated systolic hypertension. Its indicators are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.
With an increase in blood pressure, the target organs are the first to suffer. Based on the pathological changes, the disease is divided into stages:
- 1 - no changes in target organs are observed.
- 2 - changes are established in different organs.
- Phase 3: Associated clinical conditions are recorded.
Risk factors for the development of hypertension
- Age. This disease is most often diagnosed in women over 65, in men over 55.
- Cholesterol exceeds the content by more than 6. 5 mmol per liter.
- Hereditary diseases of the cardiovascular system in a straight ascending line.
- Prolonged smoking.
- The presence of diabetes.
- Hypertension develops with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
All risk factors are divided into two groups. Correctable - which can be eliminated. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Uncorrectable - these are those who are not subject to medical influence - poor heredity and age. In this case, in order not to provoke the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow the recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle.
Hypertension in women
It differs from the male one. Firstly, there are such forms of the disease that are not registered in the strong half of humanity, for example, hypertension during menopause and during pregnancy. Secondly, according to statistics, 41% of women have a pathology. Therefore, vascular hypertension is more often a problem of the weaker sex. In the beautiful half, the disease is more difficult. Blood pressure readings are generally higher. Although in women of a young age, this disease is registered less frequently.
The pathology coexists with other disorders and aggravates their course. As a result, a woman has a whole "bunch" of ailments, such as diabetes, obesity, varicose veins, and metabolic disorders. All this complicates the treatment process.
The role of women in society has changed. On his shoulders, in addition to housework and the education of children, they place those duties that are most inherent in men. More and more women are engaged in a career, in business and sometimes supporting a family. Hence tension, stress and overload. And this doesn't lead to better health, but it makes it worse. Do not forget that the predisposition to hypertension is hereditary. Therefore, women who have relatives with high blood pressure in a straight ascending line should not forget about prevention and regular examination.
Finally, female hypertension causes far more problems. It gives more complications, for example, often women of old age develop a stroke against the background of the disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect treatment and be more attentive to well-being. It is important not to miss the first portents of a developing disease.
Hypertension during pregnancy
As a rule, it comes to light in the second trimester. It occurs at 20-21 weeks of gestation and may disappear after the baby is born. All women who have high blood pressure are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. With pronounced hypertension in pregnant women, the tactics of conducting childbirth also changes and a prescription for caesarean section is possible.
Methods for treating hypertension
It is carried out with the help of medical preparations. I am able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms, but the disease is not cured. Almost all treatment methods are aimed at reducing the risks associated with the development of serious complications such as stroke and heart attack, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.
Modern treatment does not focus on lowering the pressure, but on eliminating the very cause of the emerging pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. To achieve truly tangible results, the treatment is carried out strictly individually, all the causes of the development of the disease are taken into account. The etiology of hypertension may be associated with liver and biliary tract dysfunction. Then acupressure will be effective for the treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with reduced kidney function. It often develops against the background of obesity. Then the patient is prescribed a diet for weight correction and various methods of physiotherapy.
Medicines for the treatment of hypertension
Traditional treatment is carried out with drugs. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is necessary. It must be in a stable state. For this, groups of drugs are used. Their action is based on different mechanisms of influence, but all of them contribute to reducing the pressure.
- potassium antagonists. They block the calcium channels in the ship's walls, while the gaps increase.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs in the treatment of hypertension block renin synthesis, which has a direct effect on increasing blood pressure.
- B-blockers. These hypertension tablets lower the heart rate.
- Diuretics. These are diuretics. They help reduce fluids in the body, which lowers blood pressure.
It is important to understand that it is strictly forbidden to take even new drugs without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist is able to choose the right remedy.
Diet for hypertension
Pathology doctors recommend changing the diet. One of the tasks during the treatment of this disease is the normalization of weight and metabolic processes in the body. To do this, you follow a set of strict requirements. First, reduce your salt intake. Its main component, sodium, prevents the removal of water from the body. This increases blood volume, which increases blood pressure. Second, they reject green and black tea. You don't even have to drink coffee. These products cause vasospasm and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Remove butter and sausage from the diet.
It is better to choose products of plant origin. Eat more vegetables. They are high in fiber, which helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Dried apricots, carrots, cabbage and beets increase the amount of such important mineral elements as magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of the blood vessels and muscles of the heart. Food should be split up. Divide your daily allowance into 5 equal portions. The breaks between meals do not exceed 3 hours.
Finally, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Give up alcohol and smoking. Eliminate all convenience foods and fast foods from your diet. Do not starve! With hypertension, strict diets are not allowed, stress is contraindicated for the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
The positive side of these drugs is that they have been time-tested and for more than a generation. Herbal medicine is of great help in the treatment. Sedative herbs are used, which produce a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, mint. Lemon, honey, and rose hips also help lower blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. Some recipes that help in the treatment of hypertension:
- Honey is mixed with lemon and beetroot juice (liquid ratio 1: 1). Mix well and drink a third of a glass one hour after eating.
- Of all herbs, hawthorn especially helps. The tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning per day.
- Lowers blood pressure well - cranberries. It is enough to eat a glass of this berry in the morning.
- Lemon balm, mint and valerian are steamed in equal quantities in a double boiler. Five times a day, drink half a glass of this infusion. It has a calming and relaxing effect.
Diabetes and hypertension
The pathologies are related. They have a mutual strengthening effect aimed at disrupting the function of multiple target organs at the same time. Tests for hypertension aggravated by diabetes mellitus often indicate damage to the blood vessels of the brain and the retina of the eyes, heart, and kidneys. In this scenario of disease development, the leading cause of death is often coronary heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.
It is important for diabetes to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent serious complications affecting the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Prevention of hypertension
It is appropriate for those who have among the relatives of people with this disease, especially in a straight line (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After 30 years, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations, even if there are no obvious signs of the development of the disease. For people at risk, alcohol and smoking are contraindicated. They must follow a diet low in salt and fat. Exercise is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, cycle. You need to avoid shock and stress, lead a measured lifestyle.