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Hypertonic disease

blood pressure measurement for hypertension

Hypertension is a disease of a chronic nature, characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure to high numbers due to a violation of the regulation of blood circulation in the human body. Also, terms like high blood pressure and hypertension are used to refer to this condition.

Medical statistics are such that hypertension is one of the most common diseases today. It usually begins to progress in people after the age of 40, but there is a risk of its progression at any age. So, more and more often the disease began to be detected in patients of working age. It should be noted that the fair sex suffers many times more often than men. But it is in men that hypertension is more severe, as they are more prone to the development of atherosclerosis of blood vessels.

Blood pressure can increase with severe mental or physical stress for a short time - this is absolutely normal. A longer increase in blood pressure is observed in a number of diseases of the kidneys, endocrine glands and during pregnancy. But in this case, hypertension is only one of the symptoms that indicates changes in the organs. In hypertension, an increase in blood pressure is an independent, primary and painful process.

The pathogenesis of hypertension is such that under the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors, the tone of the walls of the arterioles in the body increases. As a result, they gradually narrow and the blood flow in the affected vessels is disturbed. During this pathological process, blood pressure rises on the artery walls, which leads to additional symptoms.

Etiology

The main reason for the progression of hypertension is an increase in the activity of the sympathetic-adrenal system. The vasomotor center is located in the human medulla oblongata. From it, some impulses travel the nerve fibers up to the vessel walls, causing the vessels to expand or contract. If this center is in a state of irritation, only impulses will reach the vessels that increase the tone of their walls. As a result, the lumen of the artery narrows.

Arterial hypertension is characterized by a simultaneous increase in systolic and diastolic pressure. This is observed under the influence of various adverse factors.

Exogenous risk factors:

  • severe nervous exertion is the most common cause of the progression of arterial hypertension;
  • hypodynamy;
  • irrational feeding. Non-compliance with the diet and consumption of large amounts of fatty and fried foods;
  • excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
  • to smoke;
  • drug use.

Endogenous risk factors:

  • burdened inheritance;
  • obesity;
  • atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart;
  • increased viscosity of blood (the heart cannot completely distil it through the vessels);
  • kidney disorders such as nephritis, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis;
  • metabolic disorder;
  • the presence of endocrine pathologies;
  • increased concentration of calcium in the blood;
  • the action of adrenaline on the heart during stressful situations;
  • increase in the concentration of sodium in the blood.

Classification

Throughout the time spent studying the disease, scientists have developed more than one classification of hypertension, based on the patient's appearance, based on etiology, based on the level of pressure increase, the nature of the course and etc. Some have long since expired, while others, on the contrary, are used more and more often.

Degrees of hypertension (by pressure level):

  • optimal - indicators 120/80;
  • normal - upper from 120 to 129, lower - from 80 to 84;
  • normal increase - upper indicators - from 130 to 139, lower ones - from 85 to 89;
  • 1st degree hypertension - SD from 140 to 159, DD - from 90 to 99;
  • 2nd degree hypertension - indicators of systolic pressure increase to 160-179, and diastolic - up to 100-109;
  • 3rd degree hypertension - systolic pressure rises above 140, and diastolic - above 110.

Stages of hypertension according to WHO:

  • stage 1 hypertension - pressure rises, but there are no changes in internal organs. It is also called transient. The pressure stabilizes after a short period of rest;
  • stage 2 or stable. In this stage of hypertension, the pressure constantly increases. The main organs of the target are affected. During the examination, it can be noted that damage to the heart, bottom vessels, kidneys;
  • Stage 3 or sclerotic. This stage of hypertension is characterized not only by a critical increase in DM and DD, but also by pronounced sclerotic changes in the blood vessels of the kidneys, heart, brain and fundus. Dangerous complications develop: stroke, coronary heart disease, angioretinopathy, heart attack and so on.

Forms of the disease (depending on the vessels whose organs are affected):

  • renal form;
  • heart-shaped;
  • brain form;
  • mixed.

Types of hypertension:

  • benign and slow. In this case, the symptoms of the disease progression can gradually appear over 20 years. Phases of both exacerbation and remission are observed. The risk of complications is minimal (with timely therapy);
  • malignant. The pressure rises sharply. This form of hypertension is practically not amenable to therapy. As a rule, the pathology is accompanied by various kidney diseases.

It is worth noting that often with hypertension of 2 and 3 degrees, the patient has hypertensive crises. This is an extremely dangerous condition not only for human health, but also for his life. Doctors distinguish the following types of seizures:

  • neurovegetative. The patient is hyperactive and very agitated. Such symptoms of hypertension are manifested: hyperhidrosis, tremor of the upper limbs, tachycardia and profuse urination;
  • dropsy. In this case, the patient is sleepy and his reactions are inhibited. There is muscle weakness, swelling of the face and hands, decreased diuresis, persistent increase in blood pressure;
  • convulsive. This option is the most dangerous, since there is a high risk of developing dangerous complications. It is worth noting that it is the least common. It is characterized by such symptoms: convulsions and impaired consciousness. Complication - hemorrhage in the brain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease directly depend on what stage of hypertension is observed in the patient.

neurogenic

An increase in blood pressure is usually observed against the background of severe psycho-emotional stress or due to increased physical exertion. At this stage, there may be no sign of the presence of pathology. Sometimes patients begin to complain of pain in the heart, irritability, headache, tachycardia, a feeling of heaviness in the back of the head. The indicators of SD and DD are increasing, but they can be easily normalized.

sclerotic

The indicated clinical picture is supplemented by the following symptoms:

  • increased headache;
  • dizziness;
  • feeling of a rush of blood to the head;
  • sleep badly;
  • periodic numbness of the fingers on the limbs;
  • fast fatigue;
  • it "flies" before the eyes;
  • persistent increase in blood pressure.

It is worth noting that this stage can progress for several years and at the same time patients will be active and mobile. But a violation of the blood supply of some organs entails a violation of their functioning.

last

Usually at this stage, doctors detect kidney and heart failure, as well as a violation of blood circulation in the brain. The outcome of the disease, as well as the development of complications, is determined by the form of hypertension. Crises often occur.

With a heart form, the patient gradually progresses to heart failure. There is shortness of breath, pain in the projection of the heart, hepatomegaly, edema. With the brain form of a person, severe headaches, visual disturbances disturb.

Hypertension and pregnancy

Hypertension during pregnancy is the most common cause of premature birth or perinatal fetal death. Usually, a woman's hypertension already exists before the onset of pregnancy and then simply activates, because having a child is a kind of stress for the organism.

Given the high risk for the mother and the unborn child, in the event of a diagnosis of a disorder, it is important to determine exactly the degree of this risk in order to solve the problem of further gestation or termination of pregnancy. Doctors distinguish three degrees of risk (based on the stage of high blood pressure):

  • 1 degree of risk: complications of pregnancy are minimal, crises rarely develop. Possible angina. Pregnancy in this case is allowed;
  • 2 degree of risk - expressed. Complications develop in 20-50% of cases. A pregnant woman has hypertensive crises, insufficiency of the coronary vessels of the heart, hypertension. The termination of pregnancy is shown;
  • 3 degrees of risk. Complications of pregnancy occur in 50% of cases. Perinatal mortality is observed in 20% of cases. Possibly placental abruption, uremia, impaired blood circulation in the brain. The pregnancy represents a danger to the life of the mother, so it is terminated.

Pregnant patients should make sure to visit the doctor once a week so that he can monitor their condition. Mandatory treatment of hypertension. It is allowed to use such antihypertensive drugs:

  • antispasmodics;
  • saluretics;
  • sympatholytics;
  • clonidine derivatives;
  • preparations based on rauwolfia;
  • ganglion blockers;
  • beta blockers.

Also, to treat the disease during pregnancy, doctors resort to physiotherapy.

Diagnostics

When the first signs of a disease appear, it is important to contact a medical institution immediately to confirm or refute the diagnosis. The earlier this is done, the lower the risk of progression of dangerous complications (damage to the heart, kidneys, brain). During the initial examination, the doctor necessarily measures the pressure on both hands. If the patient is elderly, measurements are also taken in an upright position. During the diagnosis, it is important to clarify the true cause of the progression of the pathology.

A comprehensive plan for diagnosing hypertension includes:

  • collection of anamnesis;
  • SMAD;
  • Urine analysis;
  • blood biochemistry;
  • determination of the level of bad cholesterol in the blood;
  • X-ray;
  • ECG;
  • fund examination;
  • ultrasound.

Treatment

Treatment of hypertension is carried out in the hospital, so that doctors can constantly monitor the patient's condition and, if necessary, adapt the treatment plan. It is important to normalize the patient's daily routine, correct his weight, limit the use of table salt and completely abandon bad habits.

To correct the pressure, the following drugs are prescribed:

  • alpha blockers;
  • beta blockers;
  • calcium channel blockers;
  • diuretics. This group of drugs is especially important, as it helps reduce the sodium level in the blood, thereby reducing the swelling of the blood vessel walls.

All of these medications should only be taken as prescribed by the attending physician. Uncontrolled intake of such funds can only worsen the patient's condition. These drugs are taken according to a certain scheme.

Diet

During the treatment of hypertension, in addition to taking medications, it is important to follow a special diet. With hypertension, the patient is assigned table number 10. The principles of such a diet:

  • add seafood to the diet;
  • limit salt intake;
  • fractional nutrition;
  • limit carbohydrates and animal fats in the diet.

Diet for this pathology implies a restriction:

  • Sahara;
  • of bread;
  • potatoes;
  • pasta;
  • cereal-based dishes;
  • egg;
  • animal fats;
  • clarified butter;
  • sour cream and more.

Diet number 10 is complete and can be followed for a long time. To improve the taste of dishes, you can add to them:

  • Honey;
  • dried plums;
  • vinegar;
  • marmalade;
  • blueberries
  • Lemon.

Diet is indicated not only during treatment, but also after it, so as not to provoke a deterioration of the condition. It is worth noting that the diet is developed strictly individually for each patient, taking into account the characteristics of her body. An important point: during the diet it is necessary to consume no more than 1. 5 liters of fluid per day.

Prevention

Prevention of hypertension is quite simple. The first thing to do is to normalize the diet and lead an active lifestyle. In order for the vessels to be elastic, you need to eat more fruits and vegetables, drink up to 2 liters of water per day. You can take vitamin preparations. In addition, the prevention of hypertension involves the exclusion of smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

If possible, stress should be avoided, as they are one of the provoking factors of the disease. Prevention of hypertension should be addressed as early as possible in order to minimize the risk of developing the disease.