High blood pressure - this is the most common complaint with which you go to the doctor. The blame is constant stress, poor nutrition, lack of rest, addictions. Hypertension of the 1st degree is the initial stage of a rather serious disease. If timely measures are taken to treat it, the likelihood of a favorable prognosis is quite high.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a common pathology of the heart system, in which there is a rapid increase in blood pressure (BP). At a rate of 120/80 mm Hg. Art. in patients with such a diagnosis, this indicator can reach 180/120 mm RT. Art. and higher. These figures directly characterize the work of the heart.
In a healthy person, the main muscle of the body and the circulatory system function optimally. Hypertension develops against the background of a violation of the speed of blood flow through the vessels. Such a pathological process arises as a result of the gradual narrowing of their lumen. The heart simultaneously tries to restore the normal functioning of the body and begins to work more intensively, performing the function of a kind of pump that drives blood throughout the body.
With an increase in the load on this organ, various pathologies arise. The heart grows in size, which provokes the appearance of heart attacks and strokes. As a result of circulatory disorders, malfunctioning of the brain, kidneys and other organs is observed. The well-being of a person worsens significantly, and his physical activity decreases.
Three degrees of illness
- Hypertension of 1 degree. Symptoms and treatment of the disease should not be ignored, despite the mild form of pathology. This form is characterized by an abrupt change in pressure.
- Hypertension of the 2nd degree. Blood pressure is kept within 179/109 mm RT. Art. To the level of normal values, this indicator drops extremely rarely.
- Hypertension of the 3rd degree. Blood pressure is above 180/110 mm Hg. Art. Lack of drug treatment can lead to serious complications.
Hypertension of the 1st degree: symptoms and treatment
The disease is characterized by a slow course. Hypertension of the first degree should not be confused with a one-time increase in blood pressure during exercise or in stressful situations. In such cases, the human body needs a temporary increase in pressure for more intensive blood supply to the internal organs. Speaking about the initial stage of this disease, doctors note its instability. However, this is precisely what indicates a pathological process occurring in the body.
When diagnosing a disease, the patient is forced to constantly monitor the parameters of blood pressure. The intensity of the symptoms of the pathology will increase as the disease progresses. That is why it is important to start therapy in a timely manner and prevent the development of complications dangerous to health.
How to treat grade 1 hypertension? Therapy for this disease is usually complex. It is aimed at eliminating the main causes of hypertension: rejection of addictions, weight loss, good nutrition. Thanks to this approach, you can quickly overcome the disease. In the absence of positive dynamics, the patient is prescribed medication.
Depending on the degree of involvement of the so-called target organs in the pathological process, the following stages of development of hypertension of the 1st degree are distinguished:
- The first stage is characterized by the absence of damage to the systems of internal organs. Hypertension stage 1 stage 1 does not differ pronounced symptoms, so the disease is diagnosed extremely rarely.
- The second stage is characterized by the involvement of one or several organs in the pathological process. These are usually the kidneys, heart, or brain.
- At the third stage, the onset of various syndromes is noted (renal failure, discirculatory encephalopathy).
In Russia, every third is diagnosed with grade 1 hypertension. This disease is characteristic of residents of developed countries. Moreover, it is rapidly becoming younger, and today such a disappointing diagnosis can be found even in boys and girls. The main danger of this disease is that high blood pressure can be fatal.
Causes of pathology
Hypertension of the 1st degree develops against the background of a decrease in the gaps of the walls of blood vessels, which affects their patency. As a result, the cardiac system is forced to strengthen its work in order to ensure full blood flow.
Specialists identify a large number of prerequisites for the occurrence of the disease. Often it is not possible to find one specific reason. They affect the body in aggregate. Some factors are difficult to remove from everyday life, others are innate and remain with the person forever.
Arterial hypertension of the 1st degree occurs for the following reasons:
- Age (over 50 years old).
- Bad habits.
- Frequent stresses.
- Poor nutrition, hypoactivity, lack of proper rest.
- Pathologies of endocrine nature, including diabetes.
- High cholesterol.
- Obesity.
A hereditary predisposition to the onset of hypertension is observed in approximately half of the patients who seek the help of a doctor. The risk of developing the disease increases significantly with mutations in genes that are directly responsible for the synthesis of sodium channel proteins, angiotensin and renin.
The manifestation of hypertension of the 1st degree
The disease in the initial stages is often asymptomatic. This explains the large percentage of late calls for qualified help when a secondary lesion of the main organ systems is observed.
How to understand that you have grade 1 hypertension? Symptoms of pathology are determined depending on the involvement of the so-called target organs in the pathological process:
- Violation of patency in the vessels of the brain leads to headaches, confusion.
- With heart failure, tachycardia, dyspnea and increased swelling are observed.
- Renal failure manifests itself in the form of fluid retention in the body, a change in the color and amount of urine.
The absence of symptoms is usually expressed in an apparently perfectly healthy person. However, such visibility may disappear at any time. Due to stressful situations, a person's blood pressure rises sharply, and overall health worsens. Doctors recommend constant monitoring of blood pressure in the absence of an obvious clinical picture.
Risk options
Analyzing the course of the disease and the provoking risk, doctors plan the likelihood of complications for a patient with a diagnosis of "grade 1 arterial hypertension":
- Risk 1 indicates that during the first few years after the onset of symptoms of the disease, the probability of developing negative consequences is 15%. If the disease is under control, and the patient follows all the instructions from the doctor, hypertension may not develop into another stage.
- Risk 2 says that the prognosis of complications is between 15 and 20%. In this case, active treatment with the use of drugs is required, frequent visits to the doctor.
- Risk 3 characterizes the predicted likelihood of complications in 30% of cases.
- Risk 4 shows that the prognosis is extremely unfavorable.
The percentage of risk is usually determined not only by blood pressure, but also by the condition of the heart, the presence of concomitant pathologies of a chronic nature. In addition, doctors pay attention to a hereditary predisposition and disorders at the hormonal level.
When should I see a doctor?
Hypertension of the 1st degree, the symptoms of which are listed above, should not be ignored. When the first signs of the disease appear, seek qualified help.
All patients who are at increased risk of developing this disease should undergo a full diagnostic examination annually. Only in this way can the disease be detected at the initial stage and take the necessary measures to eliminate it.
To identify signs of hypertension, doctors use the following methods of instrumental examination: measurement of blood pressure, ECHO cardiography, ultrasound of the kidneys and heart, brain MRI, and blood tests. If these tests are enough to confirm the initial diagnosis and determine its degree, at this stage the patient’s examination is completed and appropriate therapy is prescribed.
Neglect of health is sometimes deplorably for patients who have been diagnosed with grade 1 hypertension. Disability, problems with the work of the cardiac system are just some of the complications that this ailment can subsequently lead to.
How to treat hypertension?
The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce the risk of heart complications. A slight increase in blood pressure and the possibility of a spontaneous decrease in the initial stages of the disease indicate the reversibility of organic and functional complications. Therefore, when identifying an ailment, first of all, doctors recommend non-drug therapy.
First of all, doctors advise to abandon all addictions (alcohol, smoking). The penetration of nicotine into the body helps to reduce the lumen of blood vessels, which leads to an increase in blood pressure and the formation of blood clots. Nicotine addiction is the main reason why grade 1 hypertension occurs.
Symptoms and treatment of the disease is a rather complicated issue, the solution of which cannot be imagined without reducing body weight. The obese women are considered the leading risk factor for the occurrence of the disease. Proper and balanced nutrition will forever forget about this problem.
Another important step towards recovery is the reduction of stress in everyday life. Absolutely avoiding the experience, of course, is not possible. However, doctors advise you to relax more often and learn to control your life. For these purposes, meditation sessions and yoga, a variety of trainings are excellent.
If the above recommendations do not help, you have to resort to the help of medication. It can be combined with non-traditional methods of therapy (massage, herbs).
Drugs for hypertension
To combat this disease, psychotropic drugs are prescribed that have a calming and antidepressant effect. These include tranquilizers (Diazepam, Trioxazine), as well as antidepressants (Amitriptyline). In addition, medications are used for treatment that have a positive effect on the sympathetic-adrenal system (Guangfacin, Pirilen, Reserpine).
Diuretic drugs for grade 1 hypertension are an important component of therapy. They remove salts and water from the body. Peripheral vasodilators are prescribed for some patients, which improve the functioning of the smooth muscle structure of the blood vessels of the circulatory system ("Apressin", "Vasonite").
All drugs for grade 1 hypertension are prescribed individually. The dosage is calculated taking into account the patient's condition and the presence of concomitant health problems.
Diet is an important component of therapy
An integral step in the treatment of this disease is dietary adjustment with limited intake of salt, liquid and animal fats. The latter can lead to atherosclerotic changes in the vessels, so they are replaced by vegetable crops and dietary meat / fish. The amount of salt consumed is also important to reduce to 3 g per day or to exclude altogether.
A diet for grade 1 hypertension has several goals at the same time: reducing cholesterol in the bloodstream, lowering blood volumes and preventing the delay of excess fluid in the body.
Doctors recommend completely eliminating fatty meat, alcohol, sweets and pastries, pickles and pickled dishes from the diet. What can I eat? Allowed to use any vegetables and fruits, cereals, low-fat dairy products, lean meat.
It is advisable to eat foods stewed or boiled. Recommended 5-6 meals a day in small portions. A correctly selected diet ensures the intake of substances and vitamins necessary for its normal functioning, which positively affects blood pressure.
Treatment with folk remedies
Hypertension of 1 degree with timely treatment practically does not pose a threat. Since ancient times, folk remedies have been used to combat high blood pressure. Doctors recommend sedative herbs with a calming effect. These include hawthorn, chamomile, lemon balm.
Treatment with non-conservative methods can prevent the further development of the disease. A huge number of recipes that were used by our grandmothers, are applied in practice today.
- Mix 0.5 cups of lemon juice and beets, add the same amount of linden honey. All ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. The resulting medicine is recommended to take a third of a glass after a meal.
- To two glasses of cranberries, you need to add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and gently grind. This medicine should be eaten in one meal before meals.
Before using the recipes of our grandmothers for the treatment of hypertension, it is necessary to consult with your doctor.
Preventive actions
The best option for the prevention of hypertension is considered a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, lack of addictions, good rest). An important role in the prevention of this disease is played by physical activity, because it is physical inactivity that often leads to its development. The best sports are cycling, walking, swimming.
If it’s difficult to immediately switch to intensive classes, you can start with short walks. Initially, you can refuse public and private transport, go to work on foot.
It is important to periodically undergo an examination of the whole organism, take blood tests for sugar and cholesterol, monitor the work of the heart. Such preventive measures allow you to identify the disease at an early stage and prevent its further progression.
Hypertension of the 1st degree (symptoms and treatment are described in the materials of this article) is found in people of all ages and social classes. The danger of this ailment is that it often proceeds in a latent form, that is, asymptomatically. Patients seek help from a doctor only if serious complications occur. If the course of treatment is started in a timely manner, the prognosis in most cases is favorable.