High pressure

• Illness: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 eyes
• Complications:cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, kidney disease
• Physician:cardiologist
• Treatment:conservative, lifestyle change
• Prevention:Diet, timely examination

High blood pressure – 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 high blood pressure is, you need to know what blood pressure is. At the moment of contraction of the heart, a certain amount 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 and supplies the cells with oxygen and nutrients.

The walls of healthy blood vessels are elastic. They stretch slightly when large amounts of blood are released at the time of contraction of the heart muscle and contract quickly when it relaxes.

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

Additionally, an increase in blood pressure is caused by the heart ejecting too much blood and the blood being too thick and difficult to move through the vessels. Not only arteriosclerosis, but also cramps in stressful situations, smoking and some systemic diseases lead to vasoconstriction.

High blood pressure (high blood pressure, 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 attacks, strokes and kidney failure. In addition to the medical problem, the problem of high blood pressure also has a social aspect. Every year more and more young people under 40 complain of high blood pressure. 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 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 blood vessel walls immediately after the heart valve opens. You can feel this moment by placing your hand on the left side of your chest or 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 cardic or systolic.

The second number is the pressure in the interval between shocks, i. e. H. During the resting phase of the heart muscle it is called diastolic.

If the tonometer shows values above normal during regular blood pressure measurements, the cardiologist diagnoses "arterial hypertension" or "hypertension". In addition, an increase in even one number indicates pathology.

Causes of high blood pressure

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

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

The main theory of hypertension is neurogenic in nature. It was developed by domestic scientists and is still considered one of the most reliable. Accordingly, the trigger for the emergence and development of pathology is nervous overload, which affects the brain structures that regulate pressure.

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

• Violation of vascular tone due to brain or spinal cord injury. The cause of high blood pressure can also be osteochondrosis of the cervical spine - constant tension in the back and neck muscles leads to spasms in the 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. The first warning signs are often ignored and unpleasant symptoms are attributed to overwork or a mild cold.

Symptoms of high blood pressure can occur at regular intervals, but some occur regularly. In the initial stages of the disease, it is necessary to pay attention to the signs of high blood pressure:

• Headache in the occipital and temporal areas;
• constant weakness, reduced performance, tiredness even in the morning;
• dizziness accompanied by mild nausea;
• tinnitus, hearing problems;
• flickering of spots before the eyes, blurred vision;
• Change in emotional state, development of anxiety, nervousness for the most insignificant reasons;
• rapid pulse, periodic chest pains;
• increased sweating, chills;
• feeling of lack of air, inability to breathe deeply;
• periodic nosebleeds.

The symptoms of high blood pressure can occur individually or in combination, but even one of the alarming signs of malaise is sufficient reason to see a doctor.

Important!Taking painkillers for typical high blood pressure headaches may temporarily relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure, but painkillers do not eliminate the cause. Long-term attempts to relieve the symptoms 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 high blood pressure are not yet fully understood, it is more correct to speak of predisposing conditions for a persistent increase in blood pressure. The most important:

• Floor.In men, hypertension most often develops between the ages of 40 and 50; they are more susceptible to this disease. In women, the first symptoms usually appear during menopause and are associated with hormonal changes during this time.
• Living under constant stress:difficult work that requires constant concentration, family problems, difficulties in personal life, financial problems, etc.
• Genetic predisposition.If both parents or at least one of them suffer from high blood pressure, 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 causes of the gradual increase in blood pressure with age.
• Lack of exercise, working for long periods of time at the computer without taking a break for walks in the fresh air.Physical inactivity prevents sufficient oxygen from reaching the blood and slows blood circulation. Constipation negatively affects the tone of blood vessels, the walls of which gradually lose elasticity.
• Overweight and obesity.People with a high body mass index almost always have high blood pressure. This is because 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 due to poor nutrition, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and impairs blood circulation.
• 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 acceleration in the pace of life, failure to maintain healthy eating habits, and an unbalanced diet.
• Side effects after taking certain medications. People prone to high blood pressure are not recommended to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as some cough and headache medicines, especially those containing caffeine or codeine.
• Smoke.Nicotine and tar, which enter the bloodstream with tobacco smoke, cause vascular spasms and increased blood pressure.
• Alcohol abuse.Almost all people who frequently drink alcohol are diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension occurs in diseases of various organs and systems:

• Kidney disease(renal artery stenosis) lead to a deterioration in the blood supply to the kidney and a compensatory "increase" in blood flow;
• Endocrine system- Increase in blood pressure 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 will be clarified after a thorough comprehensive examination. The correct identification of the causes of the disease determines the effectiveness and type of subsequent therapy.

Important!Normalization of blood pressure in secondary hypertension depends on the treatment of the underlying disease. Taking antihypertensive medications without a doctor's prescription will not produce the desired effect.

What to do if you have high blood pressure?

Given the high prevalence of arterial hypertension and the large number of risk factors for the occurrence and development of pathologies, every person should have a device for measuring blood pressure. It is better to make daily blood pressure measurement a habit and do it twice a day - morning and evening.

If the tonometer readings are consistently above the norm, 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 accessible methods:

• Lightly massage the head and neck area. Circular massage movements increase blood circulation and relieve vascular spasms.
• You can take a warm bath with 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 in the neck or ankle area help dilate the arteries and normalize blood flow.

If your blood pressure suddenly rises and you feel unwell, you need to lie quietly in a darkened room without being distracted by any devices.

Important!If your blood pressure rises, it is not recommended to hold onto your smartphone or laptop, watch TV or read. Excessive eye strain leads to a further increase in blood pressure levels.

If the diagnosis of high blood pressure has already been established, it is necessary to take all medications prescribed by the doctor strictly according to the prescribed schedule. You should not stop taking your medication at the first sign of improvement.

What should be done before the doctor arrives?

If a hypertensive crisis develops, an ambulance must be called. There are several simple ways to normalize the condition that can be used before the doctor arrives. 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:

• Place 1 tablet of a vasodilator drug under the tongue until completely absorbed.
• lie on your back and place a high pillow under your head.
• Open the window, undo the buttons on clothes and provide fresh air;
• take a hot foot bath for 10-15 minutes;
• Drink an alcoholic solution of feverfew 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 is what best describes high blood pressure. If at least one of the risk factors for the development of hypertension is present, it is necessary to start paying more attention to preventive measures as early as possible:

• Keep a blood pressure diary twice a day, recording tonometer readings, including pulse rate.
• eat right, 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 drinks, even in small doses, have an extremely negative effect on the condition of blood vessels;
• Make time for regular physical activity and walks in the fresh air, and it is best to work out in the gym under the supervision of an experienced trainer.
• Avoid stress if possible - regular communication with friends and family, relaxation outside the house and normalization of relationships in the team and family contribute to this.

A healthy lifestyle and careful management of your health are the key to good health for many years.

Treatment of high blood pressure

Treatment for high blood pressure takes place on an outpatient basis or in the hospital.

In case of a hypertensive crisis with a high risk of stroke, mandatory hospitalization is required. 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 in strict compliance with 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 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 medication arbitrarily or on the advice of friends and relatives, which leads to the condition worsening.

Drugs used to treat 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;
• Sartane- Blockers of receptors 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 condition of blood vessels.

Among the antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, beta-blockers and a number of other groups of drugs should also be mentioned.

Drugs 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 balanced diet is an important factor in preventing and treating high blood pressure. 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, 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 the amount in finished products.

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

• Sea fish rich in healthy fatty acids;
• fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables (at least 5 per day), herbs;
• Vegetable oils – olive, linseed, sunflower, corn, sesame oil;
• Foods high in fiber (in addition to vegetables and fruits, these include brown rice and durum wheat pasta);
• Whole grain porridge.

Anyone who suffers from high blood pressure should be careful when drinking coffee. A cup of freshly ground coffee in the morning won't hurt, but during the day it's better to drink plain water or green tea.

home remedies

Folk remedies are often used to lower blood pressure and improve the general condition of the body, but they can only be taken after consulting a doctor. You must understand that any traditional medicine can only be an addition to the main treatment, and not a replacement for it.

The following helps lower blood pressure:

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

Ready-made antihypertensive herbal mixtures can be purchased at the pharmacy - this is much safer than buying on the market.

What not to do if you have high blood pressure

Strict bans and restrictions apply primarily to severe stages of high blood pressure. At the first symptoms of the disease, only alcohol and tobacco are completely banned.

The development of the disease can be stopped by correcting lifestyle and diet - giving up bad habits, moderate physical activity, proper nutrition and avoiding stressful situations.

Complications

It is 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 stroke and myocardial infarction.

Other complications of high blood pressure include:

• arteriosclerosis, 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 adherence to all recommendations will help you avoid dangerous complications associated with hypertension.

Diploma

A persistent increase in blood pressure or hypertension is the most common disease of the cardiovascular system worldwide. Despite doubts about the causes of the disease, modern medicine has learned to successfully combat it. The key to success is contacting a specialist at the first symptoms, a healthy lifestyle and trust in your doctor.