According to the World Health Organization, hypertension is one of the most common diseases. Hypertension occurs in every third person and is characterized by high mortality in severe stages. Only a comprehensive treatment that combines medication and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be successful.
What is hypertension
What is hypertension is a chronic disease, a pathology of the cardiovascular system. It develops as a result of dysfunction of the higher centers responsible for the functioning of blood vessels. Dangerous complications of hypertension and accompanied by internal diseases.
One of the main manifestations of the disease is high blood pressure (blood pressure), which decreases only after taking special and strong medications.
Hypertension refers to a pressure of 140/90 mm Hg. and higher if confirmed by two medical examinations.
Hypertension is divided into several types:
- Essential arterial hypertension,
- Symptomatic arterial hypertension,
- chronic hypertension,
- Vascular hypertension.
Symptomatic or secondary hypertension accounts for only 10% of all reported cases. Hypertensive syndrome - the second name of the disease - most often accompanies systemic lupus erythematosus, urolithiasis, abnormalities and tumors of the kidneys, ischemia, toxicosis in late pregnancy, renal tuberculosis. Despite the fact that hypertension does not have its own signs and characteristics, it seriously worsens the underlying disease.
Essential hypertension is an independent form of the disease.
Chronic hypertension is usually caused by an excess of calcium in the blood, infectious diseases (become chronic), diabetes and heredity. It manifests itself in the form of nervousness, distraction, fatigue and weakness, frequent tingling in the arms and legs, speech disorders, left ventricular hypertrophy and frequent pain in the heart.
How does hypertension develop?
The mechanism of development of hypertension is the following: in response to a stress factor there is a violation of the regulation of tone in the peripheral vessels. The result is spasm of the arterioles and the formation of dyscirculatory and dyskinetic syndrome. The secretion of neurohormones in the aldosterone system is significantly increased. This causes a delay in the vascular bed of sodium and water, which increases blood circulation and increases pressure. During the disease, the viscosity of the blood also increases, which leads to a decrease in the rate of metabolic process in the tissues. The walls of the vessels increase in size, the difference between them narrows, which affects blood flow. The high level of resistance in the periphery makes the disease irreversible. As a result of increased permeability and impregnation of the walls of blood vessels with blood plasma develop arteriosclerosis and elastofibrosis, which leads to serious changes in the tissues of some organs.
Spontaneous hypertension cannot occur in humans. Hypertension is usually preceded by vegetative-vascular dystonia (VD), which is often accompanied by varicose veins.
Varicose veins and hypertension are related: the increased activity of vascular walls in SVD leads to a decrease in their diameter. The resistance of the vascular wall to blood flow increases, which increases blood pressure. Varicose veins are characterized by thickening of the vessel wall, the formation of pockets and narrowing inside, which interfere with normal blood flow. Sick veins can no longer cope with blood flow, leading to swelling in the tissues and chronic stagnation in the veins. This can lead to the development of gangrene, sepsis and even death.
Classification of the disease
Hypertension differs in causes of high blood pressure, organ damage, blood pressure levels and gait. The disease can be benign, or progress slowly, or rapidly progressive - malignant. The classification according to the level and stability of the pressure is more important. differentiation:
- normal GB (up to 129/85 mm Hg),
- limit (up to 140/90 mm Hg),
- grade 1 hypertension (up to 160/100 mm Hg),
- 2 degrees (up to 180/110 mm Hg),
- 3 degrees (above 180/110 mm Hg).
Benign hypertension has three stages. The first or mild is characterized by an increase in pressure to 180-104 mm Hg, but after a short rest returns to normal. Some people complain of headaches, sleep problems, fatigue and reduced ability to work. However, in most cases the mild stage proceeds without pronounced individual symptoms.
The second or middle stage is characterized by a pressure of up to 200 to 115 mm Hg. at rest. Accompanied by severe and throbbing headaches, dizziness, pain in the heart. The study revealed heart damage. Sometimes subendocardial ischemia is found. Strokes, transient ischemia of the brain are possible.
The third or severe stage is accompanied by a steady and strong increase in pressure. At the beginning of the stage, high blood pressure is periodic and usually manifests itself after exercise, as well as changes in atmospheric pressure, emotional upheavals. Normalization is possible after myocardial infarction or stroke. Headless hypertension often occurs after a heart attack. That is, a condition in which only systolic or pulse pressure decreases.
Causes of the disease
The causes of hypertension lie in the disruption of the regulatory activity of the main parts of the central nervous system, which control the work of all internal organs. Frequent overexertion and overload, both physical and mental, prolonged, constant and strong excitement, stress can lead to development.
Working at night, frequent stays in noisy environments can also cause the disease.
The risk group includes lovers of salty foods. Salt causes spasms of the arteries and prevents the removal of fluid. Heredity plays an important role. The likelihood of developing the disease increases if there is hypertension in two or more relatives.
Some diseases also provoke the development of hypertension. They include:
- Diseases of the adrenal glands and kidneys,
- thyroid disease,
- obesity
- diabetes diabetes,
- tonsillitis,
- Atherosclerosis.
Among women in the highest risk group, those who are menopausal. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, emotional exacerbations, nervous reactions. It is during menopause that about 60% of all diseases occur in women.
In men, age and gender determine the increased risk. Hypertension at the age of 20 and 30 develops in about 9% of men. At the age of 40, the percentage rises to 35, and after 65 - already 50%. Hypertension is more common in men under the age of 40 than in women. In the older age group, the ratio changes - this is explained by the high percentage of male mortality from complications.
The causes of hypertension lie in hypodynamics and bad habits. The components of tobacco smoke provoke spasms of blood vessels and damage the thin walls of arteries. Lack of physical activity is accompanied by a slow metabolism, and when the load increases, the untrained heart gets tired many times faster.
Symptoms
The clinical picture of hypertension in the early stages may be mild. For a long time a person may not even be aware of the increased pressure and the processes developing in the vessels. The early and first signs of hypertension are irritability for no apparent reason and increased fatigue.
Symptoms of hypertension in the early stages: neurotic disorders, weakness, sleep disturbances, ringing and ringing in the ears and dizziness, palpitations.
People notice a decrease in efficiency, loss of concentration. He has shortness of breath. Headaches with hypertension occur more often in the morning in the temporal and occipital region. By the end of the day and lying down can increase. They are associated with a violation of the tone of the venules and arterioles. Symptoms of hypertension include pain in the heart. This is due to the increased work of the heart muscle to overcome the increasing resistance. As a result, a dissociation arises between the needs and capabilities of the myocardium, leading to angina pectoris.
Signs of hypertension at a later date are the veil and flickering of flies in front of the eyes, as well as other photopsies. They are explained by spasms of the retinal arterioles. Malignant hypertension may be accompanied by retinal hemorrhage leading to blindness. Rare cases of symptoms of hypertension are manifested by vomiting, swelling of the hands and numbness of the fingers, chills, morning - heaviness in the eyelids and puffiness of the face, excessive sweating.
Complications during hypertension
Complications of hypertension:
- hypertensive crisis,
- visual impairment,
- Circulatory disorders in the brain
- nephrosclerosis,
- subarachnoid hemorrhage,
- Dissecting aortic aneurysm,
- bradycardia,
- Damage to target organs (kidneys, heart, brain, veins and arteries, fundus vessels),
- Hypertensive cardiomyopathy (HLH, left ventricular hypertension)
- Hypertensive angiodystonia.
Hypertensive crisis
First you need to understand what a hypertensive crisis is. This term refers to an acute and significant increase in blood pressure, which is accompanied by symptoms characteristic of the disease. In addition to hypertension, it can be provoked by:
- Chronic and acute glomerulonephritis,
- Toxicity in late pregnancy,
- renovascular hypertension,
- benign brain tumors,
- heavy metal poisoning,
- Kidney failure.
Crises can be caused by hormonal imbalances and sudden changes in weather. One of the most common causes is trauma of a psycho-emotional nature. Symptoms: severe and severe headache, nausea with vomiting, dizziness, fainting, short-term blindness and other visual disturbances, weakness, mood swings, tearing. Brain symptoms:
- vasospasm,
- Impaired permeability of vascular walls,
- Plasma entering the medulla, leading to edema.
In the initial stages of the disease, crises are mild and short-lived.
The danger of a crisis in possible development:
- retinal detachment,
- blow,
- Acute pulmonary edema
- cardiac asthma,
- myocardial infarction,
- angina.
Complications of hypertension pose a serious threat to human life and require regular medical supervision.
Bradycadia
Frequent and dangerous complication of hypertension. Manifested depending on the form. The mild form may go unnoticed. Severe, frequent and prolonged dizziness with hypertension may indicate a pronounced form of the disease. Also, symptoms include - semi-seizures and frequent seizures, sudden changes in pressure. The severe form is accompanied by seizures and short-term cardiac arrest. The treatment of bradycardia with hypertension can be carried out with homeopathic and medicinal remedies. Diuretics, alpha-blockers, nifedicipine are usually prescribed. From homeopathy are prescribed calendula, St. John's wort, strawberries, shakers.
Complications include the following hypertension syndromes:
- myocardial damage,
- kidney damage,
- vascular encephalopathy,
- Arterial hypertension syndrome.
Related clinical conditions: ischemic stroke, CHF, coronary revascularization, renal failure, arterial disease, papillary otitis.
Damage to target organs
Heart
Left ventricular hypertrophy most often develops. This happens because the heart muscle has to push the blood into the deformed vessels with great effort. Such work leads to thickening of the muscle wall and lack of blood circulation. This is dangerous for muscle tension and heart fatigue. Another pathology is a violation of the diastolic function of lzh. Increasing fatigue of the heart muscle leads to a moment when it can not take a relaxed position. The thickened wall cannot relax during the diastolic phase, in which oxygen saturation normally occurs. All this leads to the third pathology - chronic failure. It develops as a result of constant oxygen starvation. It is very difficult to cure the disease, and in combination with other pathologies leads to death.
sailing vessels
The arteries in hypertension are constantly narrowed due to the contraction of the muscle layer. This leads to the fact that the vessels stop relaxing and the muscle tissue is replaced with connective tissue. This is called vascular remodeling. Loss of vision, peripheral atherosclerosis of the limbs and other diseases are associated with this complex and irreversible consequence.
Brain
Bleeding causes almost 25% of all strokes. And hypertension is the main cause of bleeding, which has a high death rate. Insufficient blood supply to the brain leads to ischemic stroke. This complication accounts for more than 70% of cases. It is caused by narrowing of the cerebral arteries or blockage of the canal by a blood clot. Another pathology is hypertensive encephalopathy. This is an emergency, accompanied by severe headache, high blood pressure, neurological symptoms. If you suffer from hypertension, then there is a possibility of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. These are changes in the subcortical substance and brain atrophy, which are responsible for disorders of thought processes.
kidneys
One of the most common complications is microalbuminuria. The earliest sign of kidney damage and the development of kidney failure. Chronic renal failure is characterized by loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove metabolic products from the blood.
Diagnosis of the disease
Effective treatment of hypertension is possible only with early diagnosis and compliance with all rules and recommendations. High blood pressure is not always an indicator of hypertension, it can be situational. And on repeated visits to the doctor is not detected. A single blood pressure measurement may not detect the disease: if recurrent symptoms occur, blood pressure needs to be measured dynamically. After diagnosis, doctors make a differential diagnosis to determine the symptomatic form of the disease.
Pressure measurement
Dynamic pressure measurement is used to determine the extent and presence of the disease. It is done as follows: the atmosphere should be comfortable and calm. Measurements begin no earlier than ten minutes after the start of the patient's intake. One hour before the visit, smoking, eating all kinds of food and strong drinks (tea, coffee, alcohol), all physical activity, the use of eye or nose drops are excluded. During the first treatment, the patient's blood pressure readings were measured, and the second measurement was taken after 2 minutes.
With a difference in readings above 5 mm Hg. continue the high pressure arm measurements.
Treatment of hypertension
How to treat hypertension depends on the stage of the disease, complications, age and many other parameters. Medical treatment options are chosen by the attending physician. The desire to fight the disease alone can have catastrophic consequences. Modern treatment of hypertension begins with non-drug methods that increase the effectiveness of drugs several times. You need to start with establishing a daily routine, eliminating any stress, do not forget about exercise and long walks. An important point in how to deal with hypertension is diet. The patient should refuse or significantly reduce salt intake, drink less, completely eliminate alcoholic beverages and coffee. If you follow all the recommendations, you can avoid medical treatment of the disease.
In treatment, it is important not only how to deal with hypertension, but also how to eliminate the causes of high blood pressure.
Medicines are usually used for treatment:
- diuretic,
- Inhibitors
- Type 2 receptor antagonists
- Calcium channel blockers.
Blood pressure medications - only on prescription
homeopathic treatment
Given the question of how to get rid of hypertension, it is worth paying attention to homeopathic remedies. They are usually recommended when the target organs are already affected. Homeopathy for hypertension has an important advantage: a mild effect. The drugs have no contraindications and side effects. The disadvantage is that treatment with homeopathic remedies is quite slow. When choosing this method, keep in mind:
- Homeopathic medicines are prescribed at the same time as medicines
- Combining drugs and a healthy lifestyle
- At medium risk, this type is often the only one possible.
Inpatient treatment of hypertension
Inpatient treatment is usually taken in complicated hypertensive crisis:
- Acute hypertensive encephalopathy,
- cardiac asthma,
- pulmonary edema,
- Acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina and myocardial infarction),
- aortic aneurysm,
- Severe arterial bleeding
- Eclampsia.
Upon admission, the doctors of the clinic begin to perform the basic diagnostic actions:
- Measurement of blood pressure dynamics every 15 minutes
- electrocardiography,
- general analysis of blood and urine,
- echocardiography,
- Biochemical analysis for the detection of potassium, sodium, urea, calcium, creatinine, fibrinogen, coagulogram,
- Ophthalmoscopy.
The patient should also be prescribed an appointment with a neurologist, a Reberg test and rheoencephalography, and a determination of the type of cerebral hemodynamics. While in the hospital, inpatient treatment depends on the presence of complications, the severity of the attack and other diseases. First aid is aimed at reducing the activity of the left ventricle and eliminating symptoms such as:
- peripheral vasoconstriction,
- cerebral ischemia,
- Heart failure.
Of great importance in the treatment of a complicated attack is the introduction of antihypertensive drugs, hospitalization in the intensive care unit and regular measurement of blood pressure.
Non-drug treatment of hypertension includes boosting immunity, cleansing the body, massage, exercise and diet. It is important to follow the doctors' instructions and not to break the established regimen.
How to live with hypertension
How long people with hypertension live is an important question for those who have been diagnosed. The consequences of the disease depend on the stage and nature of its course. Severe form, vascular damage, the third stage of the disease and violation of the target organs worsen the prognosis. Premature death occurs from heart attacks and strokes, acute heart failure. Unfavorable prognosis for those who became ill at an early age.
The life expectancy of patients with hypertension depends not only on the correctness of medication and regular visits to the doctor, but also on personal attitude and compliance with basic rules. They include:
- psychological climate,
- Diet,
- exercise,
- No bad habits.
Another important condition is to understand what kind of disease it is, how it develops and what effects it has on the whole body. It is not necessary to have a medical education to understand the peculiarities of the course of the disease. There are many good books and manuals written for ordinary people. One of them is "Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine" by A. Yakovlev. The book briefly and clearly outlines the basic principles of hypertension, as well as the most popular schemes for the treatment of hypertension.
Psychological climate
Once you understand how to treat hypertension and choose a method of treatment, you need to move on to an equally important issue - a healthy lifestyle. It is impossible when working night shifts, frequent quarrels, constant and long business trips, strong emotional stress, negative emotions, fears, anger. All these conditions are accompanied by the production of adrenaline in large quantities, which leads to disruption of the circulatory and nervous systems. It is important to control your emotions, think more positively and exclude all sources of stress from your environment. Herbal teas, meditations, walks, doing what you love will help you in this.
By creating the most comfortable conditions around you, a person increases his chances of recovery.
Diet
Overweight and hypertension are incompatible. Even if there are no extra pounds, treatment begins with a dietary adjustment. In the initial stages, this is enough to control the pressure and prevent it from rising. There are several ways to lose weight with hypertension. The main thing is to limit calories. This can be achieved by eliminating or reducing the daily diet of sweet and fatty foods, flour products. The weight loss diet should not be confused with fasting: it is prohibited for patients with hypertension. To lose weight and normalize blood pressure, you need to monitor the amount of animal fat in the diet. It is necessary to exclude foods rich in cholesterol as much as possible, as well as to switch to low-fat varieties of fish, fruits and vegetables and natural vegetable oils. It is worth to completely abandon sausages, lard, fried meatballs and fatty meats, butter, fatty cheeses.
Contraindications to hypertension - all kinds of drinks and foods that excite the nervous system. These include not only tea, coffee and alcohol, but also carbonated beverages, hot spices, fragrant spices.
It is important to include foods rich in potassium and magnesium in your diet. These elements have a good effect on the heart muscle, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the nervous system. A lot of potassium is found in:
- prunes,
- apricots,
- cabbage,
- pumpkin,
- Bananas.
Rich in magnesium:
- Buckwheat, oats and millet,
- carrots,
- beets,
- black currant,
- Parsley and lettuce leaves
- Walnuts.
Important rule: these products should not be combined with milk. Calcium adversely affects the digestibility of the elements.
Exercise
Complications of hypertension and the disease itself do not mean that the patient should give up any activity. For patients with hypertension are shown gymnastics, simple exercises, yoga or long walks, swimming. Movement not only brings a charge of positive emotions, but also helps in the fight against obesity.
You need to start with the simplest workouts, gradually increasing the time and complexity of the exercises. This also applies to swimming and walking.
Rehabilitation for stage three hypertension, as well as with complications such as hypertensive stroke, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, should be performed only under the supervision of a physician. Usually for rehabilitation patients are sent to special resorts for sanatorium treatment. Which includes a full range of measures: proper nutrition, physical activity, medication.