In the modern world, diseases of the cardiovascular system are very common. One of these is arterial hypertension. This pathology is getting younger every year. Previously, more and more middle-aged and elderly people were at risk, now hypertension is also diagnosed in young people. This disease is called the “silent killer”, as it can be asymptomatic for many years. Next, let's talk about who is at risk. What is the prevention of arterial hypertension. And, of course, we will consider the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
What is arterial hypertension?
Arterial hypertension is a chronic pathology with persistent high blood pressure.
A little about how our cardiovascular system works. The heart works like a pump that pumps blood and maintains constant blood pressure in the vessels. A lot of factors influence the work of the heart, such as:
- Level of physical activity.
- Emotional condition.
- Hormonal background.
- Blood volume and vascular bed capacity.
The vascular bed is a system of branched channels through which blood returns back to the heart. Its volume is not constant, because the smallest vessels that are located in the walls of the arterioles in the muscle tissue with a reduction in the lumen of the vessels narrow and can redirect the blood flow depending on the needs of the body. Regulation of vascular tone directly depends on the nervous and hormonal systems. The force that exerts an effect on the walls of blood vessels during blood flow is called pressure.
Arterial hypertension is an increase in systolic pressure indicators up to 140 mm Hg. Art. and more, and diastolic up to 90 mm RT. Art. and more. The norm is considered to be the pressure in an adult of 120 / 80mm RT. Art.
Disease classification
There are two degrees of arterial hypertension:
Primary is divided into several degrees. Namely:
- First degree. In this state, the organs are not affected, and a hypertensive crisis can occur in very rare cases. The indicators in this case are up to 159 / 99mm RT. Art. Pressure can either drop to normal or rise slightly above those indicated.
- Second degree. Blood pressure up to 179 / 109mm RT. and above these values. It decreases to normal levels for a short time and not often.
- Third degree. Blood pressure ranges from 180 / 110mm RT. Art. and higher.
Arterial hypertension 2 degrees and 3, as a rule, already give complications in the form of such violations:
- Atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
- Asthma.
- Heart disease.
- Pulmonary edema.
Secondary arterial hypertension is accompanied by pathology of the internal organs. It is disturbances in the operation of these systems that provoke stable pressure surges:
- Pathology of the heart and aorta.
- Brain tumors and the consequences of head injury.
- Kidney disease.
- Endocrine pathology.
- Adrenal and pituitary tumor.
- Removal of two kidneys.
Also, excessive use of certain medications can cause arterial hypertension. What are these drugs:
- "Ephedrine".
- "Phenacetin".
- Contraceptive hormonal drugs.
- Glucorticoids.
Therefore, people who suffer from hypertension, before taking a new drug, be sure to consult a doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
Different degrees of arterial hypertension are characterized by different symptoms. The medical history of hypertension often begins with the fact that the patient did not have any serious complaints. However, you should pay attention to frequently recurring conditions:
- For headaches.
- On the periodic flashing of flies before the eyes.
- Dizziness.
- State of weakness.
- Redness of the face.
- Heavy sweating.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
Other symptoms are possible. For the first degree of hypertension, damage to the internal organs is not characteristic. However, in order to timely stop the deterioration of the situation, it is necessary to pay attention to the above symptoms.
Arterial hypertension of the 2nd degree can provoke the following conditions:
- Spasm of the vessels of the fundus.
- The walls of the left ventricle may be enlarged.
- Protein may appear in the urine.
- There are signs of damage to the walls of large vessels by the atherosclerotic process.
Arterial hypertension of the 3rd degree is characterized by the involvement of affected organs in the process of pathological processes. The following diseases may appear:
- Heart failure.
- Edema of the optic nerve.
- Angina pectoris.
- Myocardial infarction.
- The development of atherosclerotic processes, narrowing and obstruction of blood vessels.
Grade 3 hypertension has a significant number of complications.
Manifestations of the secondary form of pathology are more pronounced. The following phenomena are possible:
- Swelling.
- Pain in the lumbar region.
- Dysuric phenomena.
- Signs of inflammatory processes in a blood test.
- Changes in urinalysis.
Causes of Hypertension
This disease can not occur without a cause, like any other. We will name some reasons:
- Heredity.
- Excess weight.
- High cholesterol.
- The systematic use of alcohol.
- The use of salt in large quantities.
- Psycho-emotional stress.
- Stress.
However, it is worth noting that the above reasons are only suitable for primary hypertension. The secondary form develops due to an existing disease that provokes an increase in blood pressure. These are, as a rule, such diseases:
- Kidney disease.
- Tumors of the adrenal gland.
- Late toxicosis during pregnancy.
- Use of certain medications.
How is hypertension diagnosed?
In order to make an accurate diagnosis of hypertension, a thorough diagnosis is necessary. And at the first visit to the doctor, such a diagnosis is not made. Where to start? Diagnosis of arterial hypertension begins with an examination and questioning of the patient. It is necessary to identify hereditary diseases, past illnesses, what lifestyle is being conducted and much more.
- It is necessary to measure and record high rates of blood pressure. It is necessary to measure three times, observing all the rules of measurement.
The medical history, arterial hypertension is started, as the diagnosis is first in doubt. The next record of a visit to the doctor will be no earlier than 2 weeks later. Measurement after a short period of time can create a false picture. If the measurements have boundary figures, then in this case, it is recommended to measure the pressure daily. In this case, the values are recorded. Such a system allows you to choose the necessary drugs to normalize the condition.
After determining blood pressure, you must determine how seriously affected the target organs. Diagnosis of hypertension includes the following additional examinations:
- Ultrasound of the heart, kidneys and thyroid gland.
- General urine analysis.
- Blood biochemistry.
- Daily proteinuria.
- X-ray examination of the lungs.
- Fundus examination.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower extremities.
This diagnosis will help the doctor to correctly diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Also, the doctor should tell you what the prevention of hypertension is.
Risk Factors for Primary Hypertension
There are several risk factors for primary hypertension:
- A large amount of salt in the diet. This factor is especially reflected in the elderly, those who have obesity with kidney disease, as well as those with a genetic predisposition.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Pathology of the arteries. A decrease in their elasticity leads to an increase in pressure. This is typical for people with obesity, little mobility. Also in older people and people with increased salt intake.
- Excessive production of renin by the kidney apparatus.
- Inflammatory processes contribute to jumps in blood pressure.
- Obesity increases the risk of an increase in blood pressure by 5 times. Over 85% with hypertension have a body mass index of over 25.
- Diabetes.
- There are observations that snoring can also be a risk factor for hypertension.
- Age factor. With age, the number of collagen fibers in the vessels increases, as a result, the walls of the vessels thicken and their elasticity is lost.
To reduce risk factors, prevention of hypertension is necessary. We will consider recommendations a bit later.
Risk Factors for Secondary Pathology
We know that secondary hypertension is associated with the pathology of organs and systems. These are diseases such as:
- Narrowing of the renal artery.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Tumors of the adrenal gland.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Obesity.
- Thyroid disease.
- Coarctation of the aorta.
- Pregnancy.
- The use of certain medications.
It should be said that secondary arterial hypertension can contribute to kidney disease in the same way that kidney disease can provoke an increase in pressure. The risk of arterial hypertension can be reduced thanks to preventive actions, which we will talk about a little later. Now let's move on to treatment methods.
Methods of treating arterial hypertension
Therapy of arterial hypertension in the first stage does not involve the use of drugs. Your doctor may prescribe diet, reduce salt intake, increase motor activity, and reduce weight.
However, if during a second visit to the doctor high blood pressure will remain, or at the same time still grow, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- Beta blockers are prescribed. They help reduce heart rate, thereby reducing pressure. However, people with heart disease and asthmatics are not allowed to use them.
- Diuretics are used in conjunction with other drugs. Contribute to the removal of salt and water from the body.
- Drugs that restrict calcium access to muscle cells.
- Antagonist receptor blockers allow vasoconstriction as a result of aldosterone production.
- In heart failure and kidney disease, ACE inhibitors are prescribed.
- Drugs that help narrow arterioles and affect the central nervous system.
- Together with other drugs, centrally prescribed drugs are prescribed.
Hypertension Prevention
If high blood pressure is periodically noted, measures must be taken. Seeking medical attention should be immediate. But you yourself can take some actions that will improve your well-being. These actions can be qualified as prevention of arterial hypertension.
- Control your weight. Dropping extra pounds, you can immediately notice a slight decrease in pressure.
- Move more, walk, do exercises.
- Reduce salt intake. Refuse semi-finished products and canned foods.
- Refuse alcoholic beverages.
- Eat more vegetables and fruits that contain potassium.
- Eradicate a bad habit like smoking.
- Limit your intake of fatty foods. This will help you lose weight and lower your blood cholesterol.
- Constantly monitor blood pressure. Visit a doctor and take prescribed medications. It is also necessary to inform the doctor about changes that have occurred while taking the drugs.
- It is worth remembering that even if the pressure has normalized, the administration of drugs should not be stopped. They should be taken regularly.
- Also avoid stressful situations.
Features of treatment and prevention in the elderly
The older the person, the more difficult it is to treat hypertension. For several reasons:
- The vessels are no longer so elastic and easily damaged.
- There are already atherosclerotic lesions.
- Pathological changes in the work of the kidneys and adrenal glands can cause hypertension.
- Drugs are prescribed very carefully in small doses.
- With coronary heart disease, it is impossible to reduce the pressure to normal.
- Pressure must be measured in a sitting and lying position.
Prevention of hypertension in the elderly also consists of:
- Maintained by a healthy lifestyle.
- Maintaining normal cholesterol.
- Move more, walk, do exercises.
- Eat a healthy diet.
We examined what arterial hypertension means. The risk factors and prevention indicated in the article will help to take timely measures to improve health so that you do not have to deal with this ailment.