High blood pressure or hypertension is often called the “silent killer” for a reason. In most cases, this disease proceeds practically without any noticeable manifestations, gradually leading to very undesirable consequences for many internal organs and body systems. So, a constant increase in pressure significantly increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke - conditions that are very dangerous for human life and require emergency care. It also affects the work of the heart, brain, and kidneys in the most unfavorable way.
The development of hypertension has several reasons. First you need to figure out exactly which pressure is considered increased. According to the WHO, high blood pressure should be discussed if it is held for two days at a mark of 149/99 mm Hg. The optimum pressure is considered to be 120/80 mmHg and slightly higher. In the event that this indicator falls below, we are talking about lowered blood pressure. The risk of heart attack and stroke increases with the tonometer - a special device designed to measure pressure.
Pressure can take various values depending on the situation in which the person is. So, severe stress, staying in a noisy room is accompanied by its increase, even in a perfectly healthy person. Of great importance in this also is the diet, the presence of bad habits. In such cases, blood pressure rises, as a rule, slightly and does not require correction. They say hypertension when the tonometer mark is kept at a level of 149/90 mm Hg and above constantly.
High blood pressure in most cases accompanies diabetes mellitus, heart and kidney failure. In this case, along with its correction, it is necessary to carry out the treatment of the underlying disease. In the event that pressure surges are temporary, they speak of labile hypertension.
Most often, elderly people are faced with hypertension, but recently the so-called rejuvenation of this disease occurs, when it occurs in very young people and even children. Elevated pressure in a teenager in most cases is hereditary or occurs as a sign of vegetovascular dystonia. Hypertension in women of childbearing age may be associated with the presence of pregnancy, the use of hormonal contraceptives, obesity, or simply being overweight.
The disease, as a rule, proceeds without obvious symptoms, accompanied by rare dizziness, nosebleeds, headaches and chest pains. For some people, hypertension is considered the norm, since they do not even suspect that they have high blood pressure and are at daily risk of impaired heart function or cerebral circulation.
A characteristic symptom of this disease is frequent migraine - an unbearable throbbing pain in the temples, appearing at the slightest physical exertion, at the time of fatigue or immediately after waking up. In the event that you constantly experience such pains, you should consult a specialist, since high blood pressure requires mandatory correction.
A complete rest, the absence of stresses, the rejection of bad habits, the reduction in the amount of salt consumed, and weight loss contribute to lowering blood pressure. Everyone who has high blood pressure is recommended to be more attentive to their own diet, take potassium preparations, include fruits (oranges, bananas), nuts, dried fruits, potatoes in the daily diet. In the event that the measures taken did not bring a positive result and the patient's pressure remains high, special medications are prescribed to him. Persons with some chronic incurable diseases have to constantly monitor their pressure level independently and, if necessary, also take lowering drugs.