Increased or decreased pressure indicators are a common occurrence, but it also happens that the upper one is high and the lower one remains normal, or vice versa. Why does this happen and what needs to be done? The most important thing is to immediately consult a doctor if you have any disturbing symptoms, because today it is the pathologies of the heart and blood vessels that are the most common cause of mortality and a deterioration in the quality of life.
Pressure is normal
Why is the upper pressure high and the lower normal? The reasons should be understood after determining the norm. Medical statistics confirm that 67% of hypertensive patients are not even aware of problems with the heart and blood vessels! But at the same time, pressure and pulse are extremely individual parameters. These indicators depend on the general state of health, age, gender and other factors.
Up to 20 years, the norm is considered slightly reduced pressure - 100/70. But this is a very conditional parameter, because for an objective picture you need to take into account the interval of the border of the lower and upper norms. So, the upper indicator of 100-129, the lower indicator of 58-89, will be acceptable. In children, the pressure is normally lower than in adults. Up to a year, the figures are 90/60.
For an adult, 120/80 is considered the norm, but fluctuations in the upper value from 108 to 135 mm Hg are permissible. Art., lower - from 75 to 86 mm. The difference between the upper and lower pressure in the normal state is approximately 30-40 mm RT. Art. With age, the pressure rises. For people aged 50 to 59 years, 130/85 results will be the norm. And for women during menopause, quite high indicators are typical - 140/70.
Minor changes in blood pressure do not affect health and may be a normal option. But if the decrease is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms or is beyond the permissible limits, then you must urgently consult a doctor and follow all the recommendations received.
Reasons for deviations
Why is lower pressure normal and high high? Systolic pressure (upper) is an indicator of the condition of the heart muscle and large vessels. Indicators increase with heart valve defects, excessive activity of the adrenal glands. Diastolic (lower) pressure decreases with a decrease in vascular tone and a decrease in their elasticity, cholesterol deposits on the walls.
Why high upper blood pressure? If diastolic decreases at the same time, then the reasons may lie in a combination of the factors listed above (decreased vascular tone in combination with heart muscle defects, for example) or hyperthyroidism (a condition that is characterized by increased production of thyroid hormones).
Often the reason why the lower pressure is normal, and the upper high, is old age. In old age, systolic pressure rises due to malfunctioning of the heart, and lower values decrease due to a decrease in vascular tone. To this are added “acquired” chronic diseases and diseases of the heart and blood vessels (ZSS).
Hereditary and congenital disorders can provoke problems with the heart and blood vessels. This may be an increased number of red blood cells (polycythemia), narrowing of the aorta, or open ductus arteriosus. Cardiac and vascular disorders are also a common cause of pressure problems. Among the specific diseases of this group, atherosclerosis is “leading”.
Why is the upper pressure high and the lower normal in adults? The reason may be other health problems. Similar disturbances are possible with fever, anemia, or a high level of thyroid activity (thyrotoxicosis).
The provoking factors for such a deviation are overweight, the presence of bad habits, a genetic predisposition, diabetes, the female sex (in women, CCC diseases are diagnosed twice as often as in men), metabolic disorders and age-related changes in the walls of blood vessels (elasticity decreases).
Identify the exact reasons why the upper pressure is high and the lower is normal in a teenager, adult or child, as well as diagnose concomitant diseases, only a qualified doctor can. Today, CVD diseases are the main cause of death, so you should not postpone a visit to the hospital.
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Why high top pressure? The reasons can only be identified by a doctor. You can not diagnose the disease yourself. For any pathology that manifests itself in an increase in systolic and a decrease in diastolic pressure, the patient will complain of fatigue, impaired sleep quality and headache. Depending on the underlying disease, these signs may be supplemented by other symptoms.
For example, with atherosclerosis of the heart and aorta, severe chest pain periodically occurs, difficulties with swallowing food appear, dizziness periodically occurs, and premature aging is noted. Atherosclerosis of the abdominal region is characterized by significant weight gain, mild pain after eating, stool disorders and increased gas formation.
With atherosclerosis of the limbs, the doctor may note pallor of the skin and a distinct pattern of subcutaneous vessels. Patients complain of frequent "goosebumps" after a long stay in an uncomfortable position and a feeling of cold in their arms and legs. Atherosclerosis of the brain is characterized by memory impairment, respiratory distress, lethargy and apathy, tinnitus, dizziness, headaches, and increased irritability.
Why is the upper pressure high and the lower normal for atherosclerosis? With this disease, cholesterol deposits form on the inner walls of the vessels, the walls of the vessels thicken, their elasticity is lost. As a result, the load on the heart increases significantly, because he needs more effort to pump blood.
Arrhythmia and valve defects
If the upper pressure is high, and the lower is normal in the heat, then this may indicate the initial stage of a serious disease in which symptoms appear only when exposed to any provoking factors. Arrhythmia and various defects of the heart valves are characterized by general weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, bouts of irregular and increased heartbeat. Typical signs of heart failure also appear: nocturnal cough and asthma attacks, difficulty breathing while lying down, confusion, swelling of the extremities, a decrease in daytime urine output amid an increase in nighttime.
Signs of Hyperthyroidism
Why is the upper pressure high and the lower normal in women? The cause may be hyperthyroidism. This disease is more common in women during menopause than in men. In this case, there is a big difference between systolic and diastolic pressure. Excessive production of hormones can be determined by the following symptoms: menstrual disorders, weak potency in men, nausea, increased appetite, irritability, tachycardia, excessive sweating, anxiety. With an increase in the thyroid gland, the eyeball shifts and a goiter appears.
Diagnostic Methods
To understand why the upper pressure is high and the lower is normal, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. Immediately with the appearance of alarming symptoms, you need to go to the therapist. A general practitioner will conduct a general examination and refer you to specialized specialists, a cardiologist or endocrinologist. It will be necessary to take blood tests (for sugar, cholesterol, general, urinalysis).
A cardiologist will prescribe an ECG, a daily cardiogram and an ultrasound scan of the heart. Depending on the results, it may be additionally recommended to undergo a CT or MRI of the heart, as well as duplex scanning of blood vessels. If hyperthyroidism is suspected, an endocrinologist should be consulted. The doctor will conduct a manual examination of the thyroid gland, prescribe an ultrasound and a blood test for hormones.
Atherosclerosis Treatment
When it is possible to find out why the upper pressure is high and the lower is normal, the doctor will prescribe adequate treatment. If atherosclerosis has become the cause, then it is necessary to start with lifestyle correction. The patient is recommended a complete cessation of smoking and alcohol, adherence to a therapeutic diet, an active lifestyle and drug therapy. If necessary, surgery is performed.
Medicines are used in several groups, so the therapy will be comprehensive. We need drugs that increase the excretion of lipids and lipoproteins from the body, the synthesis of cholesterol, block the absorption of harmful substances by the walls of blood vessels. Phytotherapy is carried out. There are many folk remedies that help with atherosclerosis, but before using them, you should consult your doctor.
Pathology of the heart and blood vessels
If high upper pressure is caused by age-related changes, then prescribe medications and drugs to reduce performance. Need medicines containing magnesium and calcium, calcium channel blockers. If the violations are caused by serious ZSSS, then you need an operation that will eliminate them.
Lifestyle change
With high upper and normal lower pressure, you need to adhere to the same tactics as in the treatment of most pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. This means that you first need to adjust your lifestyle. You should give up smoking and alcohol, engage in feasible sports, switch to proper nutrition.
Due to the need to change lifestyle, many patients have household questions that are worth discussing with a specialist. For example, if the upper pressure is high and the lower is normal, can I have coffee? It is better to refuse any caffeinated drinks. Those who cannot start the day without a cup of aromatic drink can be invited to switch to decaffeinated coffee.
Folk remedies
Tinctures of hawthorn and ginseng help with high upper pressure. Hawthorn improves blood circulation, speeds up metabolic processes, strengthens the heart muscle, lowers blood sugar, produces a mild sedative effect and increases vascular elasticity. It is enough to take twenty to thirty drops three times a day for two and a half weeks.
Ginseng helps lower upper pressure, but can increase lower pressure. Ginseng also strengthens blood vessels and has a beneficial effect on the heart. It is enough to take fifteen to twenty drops three times a day. The duration of the course is two weeks. The product must be diluted in 30-50 ml of pure water. Tincture can be purchased without a prescription in any pharmacy or made independently.
Prognosis for hypertension
Elevated upper pressure and normal lower pressure are often combined with diabetes, coronary disease, or lipid metabolism in 68% of cases, which increases the risk of complications. 75% of elderly people are diagnosed with high blood pressure, and 84% of the population die every year from vascular pathologies. Treatment reduces the risk of death by 17%, and the risk of fatal complications by 32%. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure hypertension. This disease requires lifelong therapy.