Hypertension is one of the most popular ailments of our time. It is caused by pathology of the cardiovascular system, is accompanied by unpleasant painful sensations and entails serious and serious consequences.
In this article we will analyze the risk factors for hypertension and its prevention. This will help you take the necessary measures to prevent this disease at home or with your loved ones.
In addition, by reading this article you will learn the degrees, symptoms, and treatment of hypertension, its diagnosis, and how to measure blood pressure correctly.
But let's start in order - the risk factors for hypertension and its pathogenesis.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is one of the most popular diseases of our time, accompanied by an increase in blood pressure.
About one third of the world population suffers from this disease. This disease is very insidious, since its visible signs may not remind of itself for a long time, while the complex process of disease progression has already begun in the walls of blood vessels.
What happens during hypertension?
The mechanism of manifestation of the disease
The pathogenesis of hypertension is complex and not fully understood. It is based on the deformation of blood vessels, the result of which is a metabolic disorder. Because of this, the heart and brain can no longer fully perform their functions, a spasm of blood vessels occurs, blood viscosity occurs, arterioles do not expand and cease to respond to blood changes. This situation leads to undesirable consequences - the vessels of the kidneys, brain and heart are affected.
Since the pathogenesis of hypertension has not yet been determined, scientists cannot determine what exactly the disease begins with and what are the real causes of its occurrence.
Nevertheless, a number of factors that can provoke the disease, the so-called risks of arterial hypertension, are caused. Let's dwell on them in more detail.
Permanent Causes of Hypertension
Risk factors for hypertension are classified according to two indicators: immutable and variable. Immutable - these are those that a person can not influence. Variable - those that depend on the person, his decisions and lifestyle.
The first include:
- Heredity. In most cases, hypertension is a disease transmitted by genes, and refers to diseases with a hereditary predisposition. That is, if someone in the family suffered from hypertension, it is likely that the next generation will be affected by this ailment.
- The physiological factor. It is estimated that middle-aged men are more prone to hypertension than women. This is because in the period from twenty to fifty years, the female body produces sex hormones estrogen, which perform a protective function. However, with the advent of menopause, this process ends, and since then, women also begin to be at risk of arterial disease.
And yet, despite the fact that the risk factors listed above are considered unchangeable, you can do everything in your power to minimize unreasonable risks.
Heredity. It is important to remember that diseases with a hereditary predisposition do not transmit the disease itself, but only a tendency to it. That is, the occurrence of the disease is caused not by one factor, but by a number of reasons. They can just be influenced by a person if they carefully monitor their habits, nutrition, lifestyle and working conditions.
We also clarify that hereditary diseases of the kidneys that provoke hypertension can be transmitted. In this case, it is also important to carefully and scrupulously monitor your health.
The physiological factor. Yes, most often men of working age suffer from hypertension, but this does not mean that they cannot protect themselves from the disease.
First of all, the disease chooses those who do not monitor their health, spend a lot of time at work and abuse alcohol and tobacco. Therefore, men can protect themselves from the complications of high blood pressure if they devote enough time to their well-being, devote less effort to professional activities and get rid of bad habits.
It is also important to remember that hypertension loves overweight and malnutrition, as well as those who seek recognition and honor, sacrificing sleep and personal life for the sake of ambition and ambition.
Variable Causes of Hypertension
Hypertensive risk factors include:
- excess weight;
- passive lifestyle;
- stress
- bad habits;
- the use of large amounts of salt, caffeine, cholesterol;
- insomnia;
- weight lifting;
- weather fluctuation;
- medicines and others
Let's dwell on some of these factors and find out what the prevention of arterial hypertension is.
Excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle lead to obesity and a serious disruption in the functioning of important organs, which increases the risk of hypertension.
In order to influence these undesirable factors, it is important to adhere to proper nutrition (avoid a large amount of fatty, fried, sweet foods) and monitor moderate activity (walking at least an hour a day, walking in the fresh air, exercising or gymnastics).
The following risk factors for hypertension are bad habits . It has been established that daily use of alcohol and tobacco provokes many severe chronic diseases, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.
What is the maximum consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products? Of course, everyone must establish their own boundaries. Moreover, it was found that a complete rejection of nicotine and narcotic substances will improve human health several times, especially if it is at risk.
Nevertheless, it is believed that for a healthy person, the limits of moderate alcohol consumption can be: half a liter of beer per day, three hundred grams of wine or fifty grams of vodka.
In relation to cigarettes, it was found that if you smoke more than twenty pieces a day, it will increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease by a factor of three and become a threat of sudden death.
Another important factor in the development of hypertension is the use of large amounts of salt, caffeine and cholesterol. Why is it so dangerous?
The fact is that salt, caffeine and cholesterol (in large quantities) contribute to blockage of blood vessels, impair the functioning of the liver and kidneys, and increase heart rate.
According to calculations, the daily salt rate is only five grams, and the dose of caffeine is 0.1 grams.
How to protect yourself from harmful products? First of all, we repeat, it is important to avoid fatty and fried foods, and should also be limited to a small cup of coffee.
To reduce the risk of hypertension, it is important to eat something that lowers cholesterol and sodium chloride. First of all, these are products such as sea fish, sunflower and corn oils, vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits, parsley and dill, raisins and dried apricots.
Stressful situations , which most often provoke hypertensive crises, also play an important strategic role in increasing pressure. Of course, in everyday life it is impossible to completely get rid of nervous situations and overexcitation. However, you can control yourself and your emotions so that they do not “roll over” and do not cause negative consequences (heartbeats, spasms of blood vessels, high blood pressure).
To do this, you can carry light sedatives with you, suitable exclusively for you (valerian, Validol, Corvalol and others). Also, when emotions take precedence over the mind, you should force yourself to switch to something else, think about the pleasant, or count to ten.
And if you are in constant psychological stress and unable to change the situation? Then you need to change your attitude towards this problem. Do not try to take on too much. Do not focus on the negative. And of course, regularly do emotional relaxation: take a walk in the park, watch a comedy, cook something tasty, take up a hobby or just sleep.
The next risk factor for hypertension is weight lifting . If you are doing this by occupation and suffer from increased pressure, it is worth thinking about changing labor conditions to easier ones. If we are talking about the prevention of high blood pressure - remember that while lifting a heavy load it is important to hold your breath, and between exercise you should breathe evenly and calmly.
So, we briefly discussed many of the causes of hypertension, and also found out what needs to be done to eliminate and eliminate them.
Now let's find out the answers to such questions: how to measure blood pressure? What pressure is life threatening? And how is hypertension classified?
Correct Pressure Measurement
If you are prone to high blood pressure - it is very important to have a blood pressure monitor at home and always at hand.
The following are basic rules for accurate pressure measurement:
- it is necessary to carry out the procedure in a sitting, relaxed position;
- a hand clad in cuffs should rest on something solid;
- Talking and moving while measuring pressure is strictly prohibited.
The step-by-step algorithm of the pressure measurement procedure depends on which tonometer you have - mechanical or automatic. Before using the device, be sure to read the instructions or consult your doctor.
What should be the normal pressure?
The norm of blood pressure by age
It is believed that the ideal indicators of pressure are figures 120/80, however, these standards are exaggerated and stereotyped. In reality, much depends on the physiological data of the patient, his age and gender.
Below is a table in accordance with which you can determine the rate of blood pressure for a particular patient.
The norm of blood pressure by age| Age | The male | Female |
| 20 | 123/76 | 116/72 |
20-30 | 126/79 | 120/75 |
| 30-40 | 129/81 | 127/79 |
| 40-50 | 135/82 | 137/83 |
| 50-60 | 142/85 | 144/85 |
| 60 and more | 142/80 | 159/85 |
But, of course, even this table in practice can be far from perfect, since many factors and indicators affect the person’s working blood pressure.
What to do if you find that your pressure is above the specified standards?
First of all, you do not need to panic and make your own diagnoses. It is important to consult a specialist who will carry out the necessary diagnostics and only then establish whether high blood pressure is a sign of hypertension or whether the whole thing is something else.
This behavior is correct, as not always high pressure indicators indicate arterial hypertension. Conversely, for low rates you can not recognize a hypertensive crisis.
What are the symptoms and diagnosis of hypertension?
Symptoms of the disease
As hypertension progresses, the patient has the following symptoms:
- high pressure of 160 per 100 or more;
- severe headache and periodic dizziness;
- weakness and fatigue;
- noise and ringing in the ears or head;
- darkening, gray dots in the eyes;
- feeling of fear and overexcitation.
The combination of these symptoms will help determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
To do this in the best way, some additional surveys will be necessary.
Diagnosing Hypertension
First of all, in order to see an objective picture of the patient’s well-being, it is important to establish control over his blood pressure. For this, the tonometer readings are recorded on both hands during the day with an interval of one to two hours.
Diagnosis of hypertension is in laboratory studies. First of all, it will be necessary to take a blood and urine test for potassium, glucose, creatine and cholesterol.
In addition, you will be asked to remove the ECG and ultrasound of the heart, as well as conduct examinations of other important organs (to determine complications).
During the diagnosis of the disease, the stage of the disease and the degree of hypertension will be established.
Classification of Arterial Hypertension
In medicine, there are four stages of hypertension, which differ from each other in the symptoms and complications of the underlying disease. It:
- Preclinical stage. There are no pronounced symptoms, the patient does not suspect an increase in pressure.
- First stage. Pressure rises sharply, but internal organs have not yet been affected.
- Second stage. There is a gradual damage to important organs (heart, eyes, kidneys suffer).
- Third stage. It is accompanied by severe heart diseases, pathological changes in the organs of vision and blood vessels.
Unlike stages, the classification of the degrees of hypertension is based on the tonometer. In total, three degrees of the development of the disease are determined:
- First degree. Hypertension of the 1st degree is determined by the pressure fluctuation between the marks 140/90 and 149/99.
- Second degree. Hypertension of the second degree is due to indicators of pressure intervals of 160 to 100 and 179 to 109.
- The third degree is the most critical. Blood pressure rises above the index 180/100 and carries with it many complications and pain.
Most often, only the degree of hypertension is indicated in the diagnostic conclusions. However, sometimes another figure is added to the indicators (from 1 to 4), which may mean determining the risk of the underlying disease.
How to recognize this in practice?
For example, if a patient is diagnosed with grade 1 hypertension, then this indicates that his pressure indicators are not critical. However, this does not mean that there is no risk to health at all. For example, if a patient has suffered a stroke, then the figure “4” is added to the diagnosis, which means the maximum risk of developing hypertension. If the patient is relatively healthy, but is abusing tobacco, then the number “1” will be added to the main diagnosis.
Or another example. How to decipher the diagnosis: “Hypertension 3 degrees, risk 4”? This means that the patient's blood pressure has exceeded 180/100 and that the patient is in a serious risk zone, that is, has a very high probability of complications. In this case, the sick person is offered urgent hospitalization and inpatient treatment.
What could it be?
Hypertension treatment
First of all, it is important to lower blood pressure, but this must be done carefully and gradually, so as not to provoke irreparable failures in the body.
The attending doctor prescribes a specific plan for taking drugs, individually choosing the dosage and combination of drugs. The effect of drugs will extend not only to lowering pressure, but also to blocking risk (protecting internal organs from complications).
In parallel with pharmacological treatment, a diet is prescribed that the patient will need to strictly observe. And also recommendations will be given regarding changes in lifestyle or working conditions.
It may be difficult for you to come to terms with some of the principles of treatment. However, remember that health is more important than the usual rhythm of life and personal preferences. Never forget: your health is in your hands!