Hypertension (increased pressure)

An increase in pressure above the age norm is correct to call arterial hypertension.

If the pressure increases often or for a long time, and during the examination, it is not possible to identify the causes of this, then hypertension is diagnosed.If a person has any disease that causes pressure increased (for example, traumatic brain injury in the past, kidney disease, etc.), then they talk about secondary arterial hypertension.However, in collapse, all cases of increased pressure are often called hypertension.

Hypertension is known as a “quiet killer”, since it does not always have obvious symptoms, especially in the initial stages.It was established that increased pressure has 20-30 % of the adult population, although many do not know about their disease for a long time.If hypertension is not treated, the risks of a heart attack or a stroke increase.The only way to learn about the presence of a problem isregularly measure blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the power with which blood presses against the walls of blood vessels and heart.With hypertension, blood pressure on arteries and the heart becomes excessively high, which leads to premature wear of these organs and increases the danger of other diseases, for example, impaired renal or brain function.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of the mercury (mm Hg) and is fixed in two dimensions:

• Sistolic pressure - blood pressure at the moment when your heart is reduced and pushes blood into the arteries;
• Diastolic pressure - blood pressure at the time of relaxation of the heart muscle between two contractions.

For example, if your doctor says that your blood pressure is “140 by 90”, this means that your systolic pressure is 140 mm Hg.Art., and diastolic pressure - 90 mm Hg.Art.

The optimal blood pressure in an adult is considered to be less than 120/80 mm Hg.Art.However, within the norm are numbers to 139/89 inclusive.If, according to the results of several measurements, your pressure exceeds 140/90 inclusive, you have arterial hypertension, an additional examination is required and, possibly, treatment.

Symptoms of arterial hypertension (hypertension)

An increase in blood pressure is not always accompanied by a change in well -being.The only way to find out if you have hypertension is to measure blood pressure.Adults should check their blood pressure at least once every five years.

If you are pregnant, it is important to constantly check your blood pressure, even if it is not high.Observation of blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of complications.Increased blood pressure in a pregnant woman can lead to preeclampsia.This is a dangerous condition in which there is a problem with the placenta (the organ that provides the blood circulation of the unborn child).

Sometimes the symptoms of high pressure are:

• headache;
• darkening or double in the eyes;
• Bleeding from the nose;
• dyspnea.

Such signs appear in people with very high pressure.If you find any of these symptoms, consult a doctor.Without treatment, arterial hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke and heart attack.Immediately make an appointment with the therapist if you find any of these symptoms or increased pressure.If the symptoms are significantly expressed, call an ambulance.

Causes of hypertension (arterial hypertension)

In more than 90% of cases, the cause of increased blood pressure cannot be established.Then hypertension is called essential or primary.Factors that can increase the risk of primary hypertension from you include:

• Age: the risk of developing hypertension increases with age;
• In your family there were cases of hypertension (the disease may be hereditary);
• Excess salt in your diet;
• lack of physical exercises;
• completeness;
• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• stress.

Known causes of hypertension

About 10% of cases of high pressure are the result of a certain disease or a specific cause.These cases relate to secondary hypertension.Typical causes of pressure in this case are:

• kidney disease;
• diabetes mellitus;
• narrowing of arteries supplying the kidneys;
• hormonal diseases, such as Kushing's syndrome (a disease in which the body produces too many steroid hormones);
• diseases that affect the connective tissues of the body, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus;
• contraceptives (oral contraceptives);
• painkillers, known as non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• club drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystalline methamphetamine;
• Some plant drugs, herbal additives.

Diagnosis of hypertension

To diagnose arterial hypertension and identify its possible causes, primarily resort to the systematic measurement of blood blood pressure.This can be done by both a medical worker and independently, using a home apparatus for measuring pressure.

Healthy people in the age of more than 40 years should measure their blood pressure at least once every five years.If you have an increased risk of hypertension, you should more often check blood pressure, ideally once a year.

Checking blood pressure is usually easy to conduct in most clinics and hospitals.Blood pressure is usually measured using a tonometer (pressure gauge), a device that consists of a stethoscope, a cuff, a measuring device, an air injection and valve.

The cuff is wrapped around the shoulder and pumped up to limit the blood flow into the artery.Then the air in the cuff begins to slow down slowly, while listening to the pulse with a stethoscope.Listening to your pulse in a place below the cuff with descent air allows you to get reliable data on the readings of your blood pressure.In addition, automatic (digital) tonometers are now common, which measure pressure and pulse using electric sensors.

Before proceeding with the measurement of blood pressure, you should relax for at least five minutes and empty your bladder.To get the right testimony of blood pressure, you need to sit and do not talk during manipulation.

If with one of the measurements you found increased blood pressure, then this does not necessarily mean that you have hypertension.During the day, the level of blood pressure can fluctuate.Pressure may increase while taking the doctor due to anxiety and stress.In these cases, it is recommended to measure pressure during the day on your own, using a home tonometer.By excluding the “fear of the White robe”, you can get more objective indicators.

You can also take blood and urine tests to check the presence of diseases that increase the risk of high blood pressure, for example, kidney diseases.

Deciphering tonometer readings

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of the mercury of the mercury (mm RT. Art.) And is fixed in two ranges:

• Sistolic pressure - blood pressure at the moment when your heart is reduced and pushes blood into the arteries;
• Diastolic pressure - blood pressure at the time of relaxation of the heart muscle between two contractions.

For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 140 mm Hg.Art., and diastolic blood pressure is 90 mm Hg.Art., then they say that your pressure is 140 by 90.

Ideally, blood pressure should be less than 120/80.Nevertheless, the indications below 140/90 are generally considered normal.If you have a disease of kidneys, diabetes or heart disease and circulatory system, your target blood pressure should be below 130/80 mm Hg.Art.

If the pressure indicators for several days are higher than the mark of 140/90 - you have arterial hypertension and a further examination is required.

Treatment of high pressure

Effective actions to reduce blood pressure are in a change in lifestyle and medication.The choice of treatment regimen will depend on the level of blood pressure and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

If your blood pressure is slightly higher than 130/80 mm Hg.Art., And at the same time, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in your low-vascular diseases, then you should be able to reduce pressure only by making certain changes in your lifestyle.

If your blood pressure is moderately high (140/90 mm Hg or higher), and there is a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in you over the next 10 years, then treatment will include medication and adjusting your lifestyle.

If your blood pressure is very high (180/110 mm Hg or higher), then in the near future you need treatment, possibly with an additional examination, depending on the state of your health.

Lifestyle with arterial hypertension

Below are some changes that you could make to your lifestyle in order to reduce pressure.Some of them will lead to rapid improvement within a few weeks, others will influence a longer period.

• Reduce salt consumption to less than 6 grams per day.
• Eat a healthy, low -fat, balanced food in composition, including a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Be active: maintaining physical activity is one of the key things that you should do to prevent or control hypertension.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Refuse smoking.Smoking significantly increases the likelihood of developing lungs and heart diseases.
• Lose weight.
• Drink less coffee, tea or other caffeine drinks, such as cola.The use of more than four cups of coffee per day can increase your blood pressure.
• Try to use such relaxation techniques as yoga, meditation and stress management (autogenic training).

The more healthy habits you will master, the more positive effect it will have.In practice, some people find that when maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they generally have the need to take medicine.

Hypertension drug treatment

There is a wide selection of drugs lowering pressure.You may need to take more than one type of drug, because sometimes the treatment of hypertension needs a combination of several drugs.

In some cases, you will need to take pressure reducing pressure throughout your life.However, if your level of blood pressure remains under control over several years, you will have the opportunity to stop medicinal treatment.Most high -pressure drugs can cause side effects, but this problem can be solved by replacing the drugs taken.

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following common side effects of taking drugs:

• a feeling of drowsiness;
• kidney pain (in the lower back);
• dry cough;
• dizziness, exhaustion or lethargy;
• Raw on the skin.

Below are the most widely used drugs for high pressure.

1. Angiotensin-reproductive enzymes (APF) inhibitorsReduce blood pressure, relaxing the walls of blood vessels.The most common side effect is a constant dry cough.If side effects begin to bother too much, drugs such as angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists can recommend you, the action of which is similar to the action of ACE inhibitors.

   ACE inhibitors can cause unforeseen side effects if they are taken together with other, including over -the -counter, drugs.Before taking any additional drug, consult a doctor if their combination of negative side effects will cause them.

2. Calcium channel blockers(calcium antagonists) prevent calcium into the cells of the muscle tissue of heart and blood vessels.This leads to the expansion of your arteries (large blood vessels) and a decrease in blood pressure.

   The use of grapefruit juice when taking certain types of calcium channel blockers can increase the risk of side effects.In more detail you can discuss this issue with your doctor.

3. Diuretics(diuretics) act due to the excretion of excess fluid and salt from the body.

4. Beta blockers (beta-blockers)They act by reducing the frequency and strength of heart contractions, thus reducing blood pressure.Previously, beta-blockers were a popular drug for high pressure, but at present they are usually used only when other means do not have the required effect.This is due to the fact that beta-blockers are considered less effective than other types of drugs for increased pressure.

   Beta blockers can also affect the effect of other drugs, causing side effects.Consult your doctor before taking other drugs in combination with beta-blockers.

   Do not stop taking beta blockers suddenly without consulting your doctor.This can lead to serious side effects, such as an increase in blood pressure or an attack of angina pectoris.

5. Alpha blockers (alpha-blockers)Usually, they are not recommended as a first choice drug to reduce high blood pressure, except when other drugs do not have the right effect.Alpha blockers act by relaxing your blood vessels, significantly facilitating blood flow inside them.

   The common side effects of alpha blockers include:

   • fainting at the first administration of the drug (“first dose effect”);
   • dizziness;
   • headache;
   • swelling of the ankles;
   • fatigue.

Complications of hypertension

Increased blood pressure exerts an additional load on your heart and blood vessels.If hypertension is not treated, after a certain time the risk of developing heart attack, stroke and kidney diseases increases.

Cardiovascular diseases for hypertension

Hypertension can cause many different diseases of the heart and blood vessels and vessels of the heart (cardiovascular diseases), including:

• stroke;
• myocardial infarction;
• Embolia: it occurs when a blood clot or a bubble of air blocks a flow of blood in a vessel;
• Aneurysm: It develops when the wall of the blood vessel stretches and can burst at any time, causing internal bleeding.

Kidney diseases and increased pressure

Hypertension can also lead to damage to small blood vessels in the kidneys and impaired their function.This complication can cause symptoms such as:

• fatigue;
• edema of ankles, feet or hands (due to water delay in the body);
• dyspnea;
• the presence of blood in the urine;
• frequent urination, especially at night;
• Skin itching.

Kidney diseases are treated with drugs and food additives.More serious cases require dialysis (the treatment procedure in which blood is artificially cleansed of toxic metabolism products in the body) or kidney transplantation.

Prevention of increased pressure

The development of hypertension can be prevented by a healthy diet, maintaining normal weight, performing regular physical exercises, restrictions on alcohol consumption and smoking refusal.

Smoking in itself does not cause high blood pressure, but significantly increases the risks of myocardial infarction and stroke.Smoking, like high blood pressure, leads to narrowing of the arteries.If you smoke in the presence of hypertension, then your arteries will narrow much faster and the risks of developing heart and lung diseases in your future will increase significantly.

Power supply at high pressure

Reduce the amount of salt in your diet, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.Salt increases pressure.The more salt you consume, the higher your pressure.Try to eat less than 6 g of salt per day, which is approximately equal to one teaspoon.

As proved, the use of food with low fat and a high fiber content (for example, whole grain rice, bread and pasta) and a large amount of fruits and vegetables helps reduce blood pressure.Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers that support your body in a healthy state.Try to eat five servings of 80 g of fruits and vegetables every day.

Regular drinking of alcohol is above permissible norms over time will lead to an increase in your blood pressure.Men are not recommended to use more than 2-4 servings of alcohol per day regularly, and women-more than 2-3.Regular use is meant every day or most of the days of the week.1 portion of alcohol approximately corresponds to a glass of vodka, half a glass of wine or half a mug of beer.

Also, since alcohol is highly caloric, its regular use leads to weight gain, and, accordingly, to increase your blood pressure.

If you drink more than four cups of coffee per day, then this can lead to an increase in pressure.If you are a big fan of coffee, tea or other caffeine drinks (such as Coca-Cola and some energy drinks), consider the possibility of reducing their consumption.It is very good when you drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it is important that such drinks are not your only source of liquid.

Weight and physical exercises for hypertension

Excessive weight forces the heart to work more intensively to pump blood through the entire body, which usually leads to an increase in your blood pressure.If you really need to lose overweight, it is important to remember that the loss of even two or three kilograms of weight will lead to a significant change in the readings of your blood pressure and improve your health in general.

An active lifestyle and regular exercise lead to a decrease in blood pressure by maintaining the heart and blood vessels in good condition.Regular exercise also helps you lose weight, which also helps you reduce blood pressure.

An adult should be spent every week for at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) on moderate open -air intensity exercises, such as cycling or fast walking.When performing exercises, you should focus on the fact that you should feel warmed up and slightly out of breath.A complete person, in order to achieve this state, can turn out to be a little enough in the hill.Physical activity can include a variety of exercises, from sports to walking and working in the garden.

Relaxation exercises can reduce blood pressure.They include:

• Stress management (autogenic training), meditation or yoga.
• Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, which focuses on how your thoughts and beliefs can affect your well-being and the ability to cope with problems.You can discuss with your doctor the opportunity to undergo such psychotherapy.
• Biological feedback (the method of self -regulation used to help you with conscious regulation of blood pressure): on a small monitor, you will demonstrate your heartbeat or blood pressure in real time.A referral for biological feedback can be carried out by your doctor.

Which doctor to contact with hypertension?

If you have increased pressure, find a good therapist who can understand the causes of the disease and prescribe treatment.If you have heart complaints or there are chronic cardiovascular diseases, choose a cardiologist.