Blood pressure has significant clinical significance. Based on the data obtained, the doctor can make an approximate picture of the patient’s health status. That is why measuring blood pressure is a must for any medical examination. The value consists of two indicators. To identify pathologies, they must be evaluated both separately and jointly.
Norm indicators
The term "blood pressure" refers to the force of blood on the walls of blood vessels, which exceeds atmospheric pressure. These indicators are expressed in units of mercury. The obtained value means the volume of blood that the heart pumps over a certain period of time.
The total indicator consists of two quantities. This is the so-called upper and lower blood pressure. During contraction of the ventricles of the heart, blood is pushed into the aorta. In this phase, the indicator is called systolic. This is the number that is written first.
In the interval between contractions, the heart muscle is relaxed and filled with fluid connective tissue. At this moment, an indicator of lower pressure, called diastolic, is recorded.
Currently, doctors do not use tables compiled a few years ago with norms for age. This is due to the fact that the blood pressure indicator is individual. It depends not only on the state of health, but also, for example, on the time of day, diet.
The optimal value is 120 to 80. At any age, its increase to 140 by 90 or more indicates the development of a pathological process. Reduced diastolic pressure is also dangerous. An indicator less than 65 indicates changes that are irreversible. For example, at a pressure of 100 to 50, the head hurts, weakness appears, and overall health worsens significantly. This means that the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen, and at the same time irreversible changes occur in the tissues.
But, as mentioned above, the indicator is purely individual in nature. Many people feel wonderful all their lives with a pressure of 100 to 60. Headaches and their weakness only occasionally bothers them. A similar situation is not uncommon among former athletes. This is due to the fact that the heart muscle of such people is hypertrophied due to the receipt of high-intensity loads. Moreover, their quality of life does not deteriorate.
Associated symptoms
The main clinical manifestation of a deviation from the norm is headache. This is a reaction of the body to a narrowing or widening of the lumen of the vessels, as a result of which their walls exert pressure on the nerve fibers. Headache is rarely blurry. It has a clear localization, while unpleasant sensations are observed in the frontooccipital zone or on both sides. Often the pain radiates to the temples.
In addition, with elevated or decreased pressure, the following alarming signs may occur:
- Constant feeling of exhaustion.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.
- Noise in ears.
- Nausea.
- Frequent episodes of dizziness.
- Visual impairment.
- Nosebleeds.
- Weakness in muscle tissue.
- Darkening in the eyes.
- Lethargy.
- Dyspnea.
- Hypersensitivity to light and sounds.
- In the lower extremities, the temperature is locally reduced.
If the above symptoms occur, consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures and, based on the results of the study, draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
Causes of High Systolic Pressure
Most often, the deviation of the upper indicator from the norm in a large direction occurs against the background of a decrease in the elasticity of both large and small vessels. During the ejection of blood, their walls stretch, but this does not happen when the elasticity decreases.
If, for example, a headache hurts at a pressure of 130 per 100, nausea and weakness are disturbing, this may indicate the presence of atherosclerosis. This term refers to blockage of blood vessels. Against the background of narrowing of their lumen, systolic pressure can increase both slightly and strongly.
The condition when the head hurts and the pressure is 140 per 100 is most typical for women during menopause. At this time, hormonal changes occur in the body, which, in turn, have a negative effect on the vessels, reducing their elasticity.
For auxiliary reasons for increasing systolic pressure, doctors include the following pathological conditions:
- Anemia
- Pathology of the kidneys.
- Obesity.
- Thyroid disease.
- Violations of the heart valves.
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Psycho-emotional instability.
In addition, the upper pressure indicator is almost always elevated in smokers and alcohol abusers. At risk are athletes who subject their body to regular high-intensity exercise.
In some cases, the systolic pressure is increased, and the diastolic pressure remains within the normal range. In such situations, it is also customary to talk about atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
Causes of Low Systolic Pressure
If episodes of deviation of the indicator from the norm to a smaller side rarely occur, then these cases, as a rule, indicate overwork. In addition, a similar condition is often observed during acclimatization and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
But if, for example, a pressure of 100 by 70 is often determined and a headache occurs, this may also indicate the development of a serious pathological process. Most likely causes:
- Disruption of the heart valves.
- Bradycardia
- Intoxication.
- Diabetes.
- Brain damage.
People with low systolic pressure are irritable, distracted, and forgetful. Their headache is pulling or dull. In addition, they are constantly rocking in transport.
Often, athletes have a pressure of 100 to 75. Their headache is rare. Such indicators and the absence of severe symptoms are due exclusively to physical exertion.
Causes of High Diastolic Pressure
The lower indicator directly depends on the tone of the blood vessels and the volume of circulating liquid connective tissue in them.
For example, if you have a headache and a pressure of 100 to 120, this indicates the following:
- Myocardium is not completely relaxed.
- The tone of the blood vessels is increased.
- The volume of circulating fluid connective tissue is such that the system works "for wear".
The main causes of increased diastolic pressure:
- Pathologies of the kidneys, including cancer.
- Violation of the thyroid gland.
- Smoking
- The use of alcohol-containing drinks.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Obesity.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Staying long under stress.
If a pressure of 100 to 100 is detected, the head hurts, and at the same time, there is a deterioration in overall health, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. The indicator is higher than 110 mm RT. Art. indicates severe pathologies.
Causes of Low Diastolic Pressure
This condition is often detected in young and completely healthy people. As a rule, it is associated with heredity. For example, at a pressure of 100 to 70, their head hurts extremely rarely, their general well-being does not worsen.
But a reduced rate can also serve as a symptom of a disease. Most likely causes:
- Pathology of the kidneys.
- The presence of an inflammatory process in the organs of the genitourinary system.
- Heart disease.
- Pathology of the endocrine system.
- Allergy.
- Somatic diseases.
- Malignant neoplasms.
Alarming signs in such cases are aching headaches, excessive sweating, discomfort in the heart, drowsiness and meteorological dependence.
Diagnostics
If you experience symptoms of high or low blood pressure, consult a cardiologist. Initially, a specialist will collect an anamnesis and measure the indicator using a tonometer.
To identify the disease that caused the increase or decrease in pressure, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive examination, including: blood and urine tests, ECG, ultrasound of the kidneys, radiography and physical diagnosis.
Hypertension treatment
The choice of drugs and the calculation of their dosage is carried out by a specialist. He prescribes funds taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's health.
The treatment regimen for high blood pressure includes the following items:
- Taking drugs belonging to the group of angiotensin inhibitors. Examples of funds: Enap, Berlipril, Renitek, Diroton, Amprilan, Monopril. These medications are contraindicated during pregnancy, renal vascular stenosis and angioedema.
- Acceptance of funds from the group of angiotensin-1-ARB receptor blockers. Examples of drugs: Valsacor, Diovan, Lorista, Lozap, Atakand. Contraindications are the same as in the previous paragraph.
- Reception of b-blockers. Examples of funds: "Nebilet", "Betalok", "Egilok". Absolute contraindications are: bronchial asthma, atrioventricular block II and III degrees.
- Taking calcium antagonists. These include: “Cordipine”, “Cordaflex”, “Nifecard”, “Amlotop”, “Diltiazem”.
If necessary, diuretics are prescribed.
Hypotension Treatment
If, for example, a pressure of 100 to 90, a headache, muscle weakness is felt in the body, it is recommended to normalize the condition with medication. This is due to the fact that hypotension is very dangerous.
The classic scheme of therapy for the disease includes the following items:
- Reception of psychomotor stimulants ("Sydnofen", "Mesocarb", "Sydnocarb").
- Treatment with analeptic drugs ("Cordiamin", "Centedrine").
- Reception of the means stimulating work of a spinal cord ("Securinin").
- Intravenous administration of adrenergic agonists. Similar tools are used as emergency assistance.
Additionally, the doctor may prescribe nootropic drugs. These include: “Piracetam”, “Phenibut”, “Pantogam”. If you are concerned about weakness, a headache, a pressure of 100 to 80, there is no need to take several drugs at the same time, just one.
Alternative methods of treating hypertension
The use of alternative medicine is not prohibited. In some cases, natural components significantly improve well-being, making it possible to reduce the dosage of medications.
The most effective recipes look like this:
- Take 500 g of pre-dried sunflower seeds, pour them with 2 liters of hot water. Put the container on fire. Boil. Then simmer for 2 hours. Cool and strain. Take 150 ml daily. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
- Take 1 tbsp. l dill seeds, pour 200 ml of boiling water over them. Allow to infuse for half an hour, strain. Take three times a day.
- Take 20 g of dried or 50 g of fresh blueberries. Pour 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 1 hour. Drink the received product during the day.
Alternative methods of treating hypotension
If you have a headache and a pressure of 100 per 100, it is not necessary to take medication. A decoction based on St. John's wort will help normalize the indicator. Today it is one of the most effective means for hypotension. Cooking algorithm: 1 tbsp. l herbs pour 400 ml of boiling water, leave for an hour. Take 100 ml three times a day before meals.
Also, if you have a headache and a pressure of 100 per 100, for example, you can make tea from Rhodiola. To make a healthy drink you need to take 1 tsp. root and pour it with 1 liter of boiling water. Simmer on fire for 10 minutes. Cool. Drink three times a day for 200 ml.
Doctors Recommendations
If the increased or decreased pressure is persistent, the patient will not receive enough medication. It is important to adjust the diet to include mainly plant foods. In addition, it is necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcohol-containing drinks. If the head often hurts, the pressure is 100 to 100, 140 to 100, 100 to 60, etc., it is important to review the daily regimen. It is recommended to relax more and find time for moderate physical exertion.
Finally
Blood pressure is one of the clinically significant. Its assessment allows you to identify various diseases even at an early stage of their development. With a persistent increase in pressure, it is customary to talk about hypertension, and with a decrease - about hypotension. Each of these pathological conditions can have many reasons, in connection with which, when alarming symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a doctor.