The causes of hypertension are still causing heated debate. It is only clear that with this pathology, blood pressure rises. Scientists are divided into adherents of the three most common theories:
- hereditary predisposition in combination with environmental factors;
- mental stress, constant stress, inability to calmly relate to external stimuli;
- increased body weight and excessive salt intake.
All theories have many arguments for and many problems. Most likely, the truth is somewhere in the middle, that is, it combines all of these factors in one way or another.
Hypertension can be benign (slowly progressing) and malignant. Most often, it occurs in people aged 30 to 60 years. The appearance of the first signs of this disease at a young age is a very formidable symptom, which suggests that a comprehensive examination should be carried out immediately.
Slowly progressive hypertension
It is conditionally divided into three stages.
The first (light) is usually not considered dangerous. The upper systolic pressure rises no more than up to 180 mm Hg. Art., lower diastolic - up to 105 mm RT. Pressure rises only occasionally, returning to normal relatively quickly. But these are the first symptoms of the disease, and if you do not take at least preventive measures, deterioration will occur. This stage is characterized by the following symptoms: decreased mental performance, tinnitus, sleep disturbance, and headaches. With weak vessels, nosebleeds are possible.
In the second stage, the pressure reaches the figures 110 to 200 and does not drop to normal values. The following symptoms are observed. Vascular sclerosis appears, while slightly pronounced changes in the heart, kidneys and retina.
The third stage is characterized by even higher pressure figures (115-130 to 220-230), which is no longer reduced even under the influence of drugs. Changes in all organs are much more pronounced, there are serious violations of the kidneys, heart, brain. Circulatory disorders, azotemia, paresis and paralysis, retinal hemorrhages are possible. Some organs may be affected more, others less. Depending on this, slowly progressive hypertension is divided into the following forms:
- cardiac;
- cerebral;
- renal;
- mixed.
At any age, if there are any problems with well-being, sometimes you need to measure pressure. That is, in every house a tonometer must be. Unfortunately, slowly progressing hypertension can occur at first almost asymptomatically. But at least some subtle signs should be. It could be:
- tachycardia;
- facial redness;
- flies before the eyes ;
- swelling of the hands, feet, eyelids, puffiness on the face;
- sweating
- numbness of the limbs.
If any of these signs appear even occasionally, you need to pay attention to this and, possibly, start treatment.
Malignant hypertension
This is a rapidly progressing and very dangerous form. It can last from six months to two years. The kidneys are affected, anemia begins, and everything ends very quickly with azotemic uremia, complete damage to the kidneys. More recently, this form of hypertension could not be fought. Now there are drugs that can change the diagnosis to a more benign ("slowly progressing hypertension").
If there is at least some suspicion of high blood pressure, you need to be examined immediately. And if hypertension is diagnosed , treatment should begin immediately. Timely started therapy, regular medication, compliance with the rules of a healthy lifestyle can delay the development of the disease for a long time.