hypertension

hypertension(Hypertension) is a persistent increase in blood pressure that requires constant monitoring of your health and prompt treatment. Otherwise, the risk of dangerous illness or even death increases.The human vasculature is a transport network in which the transport vehicle - blood - is in constant motion. For blood to flow, it must withstand pressure. Because the heart muscle contracts to create pressure, a portion of new blood is pumped into the arteries with each heartbeat. This is why when measuring pressure, two values are recorded: the value during contraction and the value during relaxation. The larger (higher) value is called systolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure means "contraction" in Greek), and the smaller (lower) value is called diastolic blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure means "expansion"). Under normal circumstances, the upper limit should be around 120-140 mmHg. Art, lower - about 70-80 mmHg. Art. Lower rates are normal for younger people and higher rates for people over 40. If the pressure measurement shows a value higher than the indicated value, the pressure should be considered elevated. A sustained increase in blood pressure is called arterial blood pressurehypertension, and the patient is diagnosedHypertension (high blood pressure).

causes of high blood pressure

Blood pressure constantly fluctuates, and our bodies adapt well to this fluctuation. The walls of blood vessels through which blood flows are elastic and stretch when pressure increases. As a result, the pressure returns to normal. Additionally, when pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels moves into the capillaries. That said, the body has effective mechanisms for normalizing stress. When this mechanism stops functioning for some reason, high blood pressure occurs.Modern medicine does not yet have a definite answer to the question of why hypertension occurs. However, there are many factors that may contribute to persistently elevated blood pressure. this:

• overweight (obesity);
• diabetes;
• Smoking, drinking;
• High levels of adrenaline in the blood (including due to experiencing stress);
• Atherosclerosis (mainly aortic atherosclerosis);
• kidney disease;
• Thyroid disease;
• Taking certain medicines (including hormonal contraceptives).

The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. High blood pressure in young people is often caused by kidney disease or a lack of magnesium in the body.

Stages and complications of hypertension

Arterial hypertension causes increased pressure on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Hypertension can lead to diseases and pathologies such as:

• Heart failure, myocardial infarction;
• Cerebrovascular accident (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke);
• Nephrosclerosis, kidney failure;
• Decreased vision (due to retinal circulation problems).

Therefore, those at risk of developing high blood pressure, as well as those who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, need to monitor their condition and have their blood pressure measured regularly.The following procedure for measuring pressure is recommended. After five minutes of rest, take your blood pressure while sitting. Measure 3 times in a row and consider the lowest value.Based on the detected pressure, three stages of hypertension can be distinguished.Stage I hypertensionIt is characterized by an increase in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.  stage II hypertensionDiagnostic pressure range is 180-200/105-115 mmHg. Art.  Stage III hypertension– This is a serious pathological condition in which blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. This pressure cannot return to normal on its own without medical help.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

High blood pressure can present with the following symptoms:

• weakness;
• Dizziness;
• Headache;
• Performance degrades.

However, these symptoms may be viewed simply as signs of fatigue. Additionally, in the first stage, hypertension can be asymptomatic.  Also, the sudden increase in pressure is noticeable—hypertensive crisis, which can also be considered a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, blood circulation to the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys - is drastically interrupted. Symptoms of hypertensive crisis are:

• severe headache;
• Darkening of eyes;
• nausea and vomiting;
• Angina, a feeling of rapid heartbeat;
• Cold sweat, weakness, and trembling hands.

Symptoms of stage I hypertensionBlood pressure may be elevated in the range of 160-180/95-105 mm Hg. Art. After a break, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no other symptoms, but ringing in the ears, heaviness in the head, mild headache, trouble sleeping, decreased performance, and sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.Symptoms of Stage II HypertensionThe pressure rises to values in the range 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art. In this case, the pressure increase is more stable than in the first stage. Stage II hypertension presents with headache and angina, dizziness, and hypertensive crisis. Reduced blood supply to the brain, kidneys, and retina. Possible stroke.Symptoms of stage III hypertensionRecorded blood pressure range was 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. Under this kind of stress, the likelihood of heart attack and stroke increases significantly. Irreversible changes in the activity of the heart, brain, and kidneys.

How to diagnose high blood pressure

Hypertension is diagnosed based on blood pressure measurements. 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be used for diagnosis.It is important to identify the cause of increased stress. Treatment of high blood pressure is unlikely to be effective without eliminating the cause. To determine the cause of arterial hypertension and to determine the extent of damage to internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory studies are performed.electrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram is a basic test in cardiology. Allows you to identify heart disease that causes or accompanies high blood pressure. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) can be used to perform ECG tests.echocardiogramHypertensive echocardiography provides doctors with information about the pathological processes in a patient's heart. In the first stage of the disease, echocardiography shows increased contraction of the left ventricular wall, while the size of the cavity and the thickness of the wall remain within normal limits. In later stages, dilation of the left ventricle can be seen, accompanied by decreased contractility.Ultrasound examinationIf blood pressure remains elevated, ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as the brachiocephalic and renal arteries, may also be performed.optical coherence tomographyIf you have high blood pressure, it is important to have a fundus examination, as increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in the area and lead to visual impairment. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Fundus biomicrography using a fundus camera is also available.laboratory diagnosisTesting for high blood pressure includes laboratory tests. You will need blood tests - general and biochemistry (checking levels of creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose in the blood), as well as a general urine test. Additional tests may be ordered.

Treatments for high blood pressure

The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce the risk of the most dangerous complications: stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic renal failure, and nephrosclerosis. To this end, measures are being taken to lower blood pressure to normal levels and reduce target organ vulnerability. Patients need to be prepared for lifelong antihypertensive treatment. The course of treatment for stages II and III disease necessarily includes medication. Treatment of stage I hypertension may not require medications but may be limited to non-drug treatments. Regardless, non-drug treatment of hypertension is important.People with high blood pressure should have their blood pressure measured regularly and follow all instructions from their treating physician.

Which doctor treats high blood pressure

Hypertension is treated by a cardiologist. High blood pressure can also be treated by a general practitioner (general practitioner or family doctor), who will often spot high blood pressure when you contact him because you are not feeling well.drug treatmentThe drug should be chosen by a physician, who will take into account the individual characteristics of each patient.lifestyle changesFirst, you need:

• Stop smoking;
• Eliminate or reduce alcohol use;
• Try to lose weight to normal levels;
• Reduce salt intake to 5 g/day;
• Provide regular physical activity. The most beneficial are walking, swimming, and therapeutic exercise;
• Increase your ability to withstand stress;
• Optimize nutrition (eat more vegetables, fruits, foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium and, conversely, reduce the intake of vegetable fats and protein foods). You should eat regularly.