Hypertension

Hypertension or arterial hypertension is a condition characterized by a stable, that is, an increase in blood pressure, established by repeated measurements. Accompanying many diseases, it is considered a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications from the cardiovascular system, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension, as the main cause of the considered pathology, requires taking medication, normalizing the patient's lifestyle and diet.

Everyone has heard complaints of 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 in many countries it is the main cause of death. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - this disease is diagnosed as an independent - primary arterial or essential hypertension. And only in every tenth patient is it concomitant. This disease develops against the background of diseases of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.

What is arterial hypertension?

A chronic disease characterized by a constant or periodic increase in pressure. Doctors in almost all developed countries note this disease as an epidemic of the 21st century. In Europe and the USA, it is found in every second adult. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of morbidity is impressive and alarming. And although in recent decades there has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of the elderly, 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 harm to health - it exhausts the cardiovascular system. It is important that people at risk do not neglect prevention and treatment.

Causes and symptoms of hypertension

The causes of the pathology are different. Most often, doctors cannot 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 reasons

• kidney damage or glomerulonephritis;
• renal artery stenosis;
• congenital narrowing of the aorta;
• increased 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 with 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 have no complaints about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although sometimes they have bouts of weakness, dizziness and slight 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 affect the heart and blood vessels.

There are symptoms, although non-specific, which are suspected of arterial hypertension. This is weakness, flies before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All 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+.

Allocate another form of the disease. This is isolated systolic hypertension. Her indicators are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.

When blood pressure increases, the target organs are the first to suffer. Based on the pathological changes, the disease is divided into stages:

• 1 - no changes are observed in the target organs.
• 2 - changes are found in several organs.
• Stage 3 - associated clinical conditions are recorded.

Risk factors for the development of hypertension

• Age. This disease is most often diagnosed in women over 65 years old, in men over 55 years old.
• Cholesterol exceeds the content of more than 6. 5 mmol per liter.
• Hereditary diseases of the cardiovascular system in a direct 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 that are not subject to medical influence - bad heredity and age. In this case, in order not to provoke the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow the recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle.

Hypertension in women

It differs from the male. First, 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 case of the beautiful half, the disease is more difficult. Blood pressure readings are usually higher. Although in women at a young age, this disease is registered less often.

The pathology coexists with other diseases and aggravates their course. As a result, the woman has a whole "bouquet" of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, varicose veins and metabolic disorders. All this complicates the treatment process.

The role of women in society has changed. On her shoulders, in addition to housework and raising children, lie those duties that are more inherent in men. More and more women are engaged in careers, businesses and sometimes support a family. Hence the tension, stress and overload. And this does not lead to improvement of health, but worsens it. Remember that the predisposition to hypertension is hereditary. That is why women who have relatives with high blood pressure in the direct ascending line should not forget about prevention and regular examination.

Finally, female hypertension causes many more problems. It gives more complications, for example, often elderly women 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 signs of a developing disease.

Hypertension during pregnancy

As a rule, it appears in the second trimester. It appears at 20-21 weeks of gestation and may disappear after the baby is born. All women with high blood pressure are at risk of placental abruption and preeclampsia. In case of severe hypertension in pregnant women, the delivery tactics are also changed and a caesarean section may be prescribed.

Methods of treatment of hypertension

It is carried out with the help of medical preparations. They are 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 strokes and heart attacks, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.

Modern treatment is aimed not at lowering the pressure, but at 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, taking into account all the causes of the development of the disease. The etiology of hypertension may be related to dysfunction of the liver and bile ducts. Then acupressure will be effective for treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with impaired kidney function. It often develops against the background of obesity. The patient is then prescribed a diet for weight correction and various methods of physical therapy.

Medicines to treat hypertension

Traditional treatment is done with drugs. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is necessary. It must be in stable condition. Groups of drugs are used for this. Their action is based on different mechanisms of action, but they all help to reduce pressure.

• potassium antagonists. They block calcium channels in the vessel walls while the gaps widen.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs in the treatment of hypertension block the synthesis of renin, which has a direct effect on the increase in blood pressure.
• B-blockers. These hypertension tablets reduce the heart rate.
• Diuretics. These are diuretics. They help reduce fluid in the body, which lowers blood pressure.

It is important to understand that even new drugs are strictly forbidden to take without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist can choose the right medicine.

Diet for hypertension

Pathologists recommend a change in 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, follow a number 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 refuse green and black tea. You don't have to drink coffee either. These products cause vasospasm and increase the workload of the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Eliminate butter and sausages from the diet.

It is better to choose products of plant origin. Eat more vegetables. They are rich in fiber, which helps lower 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 blood vessels and heart muscles. Food should be partial. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal parts. Breaks between meals are no more than 3 hours.

Finally, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Give up alcohol and smoking. Eliminate all convenience foods and fast food from your diet. Don't starve! In case of hypertension, strict diets are not allowed, stress is contraindicated for the body.

Treatment with folk remedies

The positive side of such drugs is that they have been tested by time and more than one generation. Phytotherapy is of great help in the treatment. Sedative herbs are used, which have a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, mint. Lemon, honey and rose hips also contribute to lowering blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. A few recipes that help in the treatment of hypertension:

1. Honey is mixed with lemon and beet juice (liquid ratio 1: 1). Mix well and drink a third of a glass an hour after a meal.
2. Of all the herbs, hawthorn is especially helpful. The tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning.
3. Lowers blood pressure well - blueberries. It is enough to eat one cup of this berry in the morning.
4. Lemon balm, mint and valerian are steamed in a water bath in equal quantities. Drink half a glass of this infusion five times a day. It has a calming and relaxing effect.

Diabetes and hypertension

Pathologies are interconnected. They have a mutually reinforcing effect aimed at disrupting the function of several target organs at the same time. Tests for hypertension aggravated by diabetes mellitus often show damage to the blood vessels of the brain and retina of the eyes, heart and kidneys. In this disease progression scenario, the main cause of death is often coronary heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.

For diabetes, it is important to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent severe complications from the kidneys and cardiovascular system.

Prevention of hypertension

It is suitable for those who have among their blood relatives people with this disease, especially in the direct 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 should follow a diet low in salt and fat. Exercise is important for prevention. You can jog, walk, cycle. You should avoid shocks and stress, lead a measured lifestyle.