Various pathologies of the cardiovascular system occupy a leading position in the modern world. Weather dependence, obesity, regular stress - all these factors sooner or later make many people turn to a cardiologist with complaints of high blood pressure. Reluctance to be treated threatens with a heart attack or stroke. Such conditions are dangerous and can lead to disability or death, therefore, having felt the first alarming calls, it is worth going to a consultation with a doctor.
A bit about the disease
Hypertensive crisis is a pathological condition in which there is a sharp increase in blood pressure.
It can occur at any age, but the bulk of patients are those who crossed the 50-year milestone. There are frequent cases of a crisis in 30 or even 20 years.
No one is safe from cardiovascular pathology, however, people suffering from differences in blood pressure are most at risk.
A crisis can occur for no apparent reason or as a result of certain circumstances.
It is extremely important for such patients to eliminate the irritant in time, give the necessary drugs, and in severe cases, call the ambulance team.
According to official medical data, a hypertensive crisis is the main reason for doctors to arrive at home, and no more than 25% of people manage to provide timely assistance.
Varieties
Pathology can occur in different ways. Classification of hypertensive crisis is based on the severity of the patient. It is divided into the following types:
- The first (uncomplicated). It is relatively easy and does not pose a serious threat to the patient. May cause dizziness, pain, chest pressure, nausea, and vomiting. You can cope with the manifestations yourself. To do this, you must take a horizontal position and drink the drugs recommended by your doctor.
- Second. It is characterized by a severe course. In the absence of therapy, it often affects other organs. Such a patient is in urgent need of emergency medical care. Most often, a heart attack or stroke occurs in such patients. Therefore, they are advised to monitor their health status and changes in blood pressure.
Depending on the factors that caused the deterioration of well-being, the modern classification of hypertensive crisis divides it into the following types:
- Neurovegetative. It is not associated with any pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. It arises as a reaction to severe stress. It manifests itself in the form of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headache. Lasts an average of about 2 hours. Inpatient treatment does not need. Many who have encountered such symptoms have feared a stroke or heart attack. According to doctors, in the absence of other pathologies, there is no risk to life either.
- Water and salt. It arises as a result of a failure in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that regulates internal equilibrium. The patient may be disturbed by dyspeptic symptoms, impaired coordination of movements, severe headache. This condition can last several days.
- Encephalopathy It presents the greatest risk of strokes and heart attacks. Such patients should receive urgent medical attention, otherwise the occurrence of epileptic seizures against the background of acute cerebrovascular accident, followed by damage to its tissue. Often, ambulance doctors do not have time to arrive on time and ascertain the death of the patient.
What contributes to the deterioration of well-being
It often happens that after an attack of hypertension a person cannot understand what provoked him. The most common causes include:
- severe emotional shock;
- a sharp change in weather, in particular atmospheric pressure fluctuations, wind, rain, etc.
- the use of certain foods, especially salt;
- taking certain drugs or their cancellation;
- alcohol abuse, smoking.
According to statistics, most often the pressure rises from excessive excitement and panic, so these patients need to pull themselves together, otherwise this can lead to health problems.
Characteristic symptoms
Based on the classification of hypertensive crisis, the clinic may vary significantly. Each person is individual and suffers pressure increase in different ways. For one, the 180 mark does not pose a real threat, for another 130 is critical.
The most common signs of a starting crisis include:
- a sharp deterioration in well-being;
- weakness in the arms and legs;
- unsteady gait;
- trembling throughout the body;
- headache and heartache;
- feeling of tightness in the chest;
- the appearance of black "flies" before the eyes;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- severe nausea and vomiting, which does not bring relief.
If the patient is not provided with the necessary assistance, there is a considerable risk of developing complications that may occur:
- fainting
- complete or partial paralysis;
- speech impairment;
- loss of vision;
- cardiac arrest due to heart attack.
The severity and severity depends on the classification of the hypertensive crisis.
First aid
When alarming symptoms of a person appear, the pressure should be laid down and measured. If the indicators are unsatisfactory, it is necessary to give drugs that lower the pressure and additional funds, depending on the classification of the hypertensive crisis (sedatives, painkillers, etc.).
Unlike antihypertensive tablets, injections are much faster, so it is preferable to make them if possible.
Well-being should improve after 10-30 minutes. If this does not happen within 2 hours, you must definitely call a doctor at home.
Before the ambulance arrives, the patient:
- slightly throw your head back;
- apply a cool compress to the head (on the back of the head);
- free the chest area.
Drinking during this period is not recommended. The flow of fluid can provoke a vomiting reflex, causing an increase in pressure.
Self-medication without consulting a doctor and making an accurate diagnosis can be dangerous.
How to measure pressure
To identify any species according to the classification of hypertensive crisis, it is enough to have a tonometer on hand - a device for measuring systolic and diastolic pressure.
It should be in the medicine cabinet of every person suffering from this problem.
Today, there is a huge selection of such devices on sale, they can be:
- Mechanical.
- Semi-automatic.
- Automatic.
- Mercury.
All of them do an excellent job with the basic function of measuring pressure and differ in:
- number of additional features;
- cost;
- technical specifications;
- design.
Everyone will be able to choose the most suitable option for themselves.
To obtain a reliable result during measurement, some features of the process should be remembered;
- before starting, you should rest 10-15 minutes;
- the right-handed people put a cuff on the left hand, the right-handed people on the contrary;
- the reservoir into which air will enter should be at the level of the heart and not too tightly fit the shoulder to the elbow bend.
When evaluating the results, it should be borne in mind that the indicator of 140 upper and 90 lower is exceeded, although all individually.
Hospitalization
Inpatient treatment requires severe classification of hypertensive crises. Emergency care can often save a patient’s life. After admission, the following studies will be mandatory:
- electrocardiogram;
- Holter cardiac monitoring;
- electroencephalogram;
- dopplerography of blood vessels;
- echocardiography;
- Ultrasound of the urinary system;
- general and biochemical blood test.
Therapy is selected individually, based on the results of the examination.
Prescribed Drugs
Cardiologists are engaged in the selection of an effective drug regimen.
The most prescribed groups of medicines that eliminate the hypertensive crisis according to the WHO classification include:
- Nitrates.
- Calcium channel blockers.
- ACE inhibitors.
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists.
It could be:
- "Nitroglycerine".
- "Clonidine."
- Captopril.
- Corinfar.
Many patients may require concurrent treatment with a nephrologist, ophthalmologist, pulmonologist, neurologist. They may schedule an additional appointment:
- "Furosemide."
- "Magnesium sulfate."
- "Arfonada".
- "Benzohexonia".
- Diazepam and others.
Easy clinic and classification of hypertensive crises do not require emergency treatment. It is enough to drink the medicine previously prescribed by the doctor.
Effects
The main danger of high blood pressure is the development of severe complications. The main load falls on:
- kidneys
- brain and central nervous system;
- eyes.
A strong attack of hypertension can provoke:
- acute or chronic heart and pulmonary failure ;
- myocardial infarction;
- angina pectoris;
- stroke;
- pulmonary edema and thromboembolism.
All these diseases are extremely life-threatening, therefore, when the first signs of increased pressure appear, measures are required.
Doctor's recommendations
Patients who have experienced complications of a hypertensive crisis, the classification of which falls under the second type, should carefully monitor their health and follow simple rules:
- measure blood pressure daily;
- write down the readings in a separate notebook;
- follow a diet;
- do morning exercises, sign up for a pool;
- do not drink alcohol;
- quit smoking;
- every 6 months to visit a cardiologist, if necessary, other specialists.
If this condition is unusual for a person, you should still be examined. In the absence of pathologies, it is necessary to avoid strong emotional stress and stress.
Diet restrictions
Nutrition plays an important role in recovery. The main emphasis in the diet is on reducing the calorie intake of meals.
Be sure to exclude:
- flour;
- oily;
- sweet;
- roast;
- alcohol.
It is recommended to eat more:
- dried apricots;
- prunes
- rose hips;
- cabbage;
- potatoes;
- cereals;
- greens;
- beets;
- black currant.
They are all rich in magnesium and potassium, which will have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, brain and kidneys, which are the "target" organs with increasing blood pressure.
Hypertensive crises, classification, complications and emergency care are important information that will be useful to both the patient himself and his relatives. They cause dangerous conditions that pose a real threat to life. Such patients should always have a blood pressure monitor and a blood pressure monitor in their medicine cabinet.
Those most at risk are those who are unaware of their problems. In the event of a sudden attack, they, as a rule, lack the necessary drugs, and their further fate depends on the timely arrival of an ambulance.