Hypertension

Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is a condition characterized by a stable, that is, detected by repeated measurements, increase in blood pressure. Accompanying many diseases, it is considered a risk factor for the development of dangerous complications from the cardiovascular system, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Hypertension, as the main cause of the pathology under consideration, requires taking medications, normalizing the patient's lifestyle and nutrition.

Everyone has heard complaints about high blood pressure from people around them. Hypertension according to statistics is observed in 20-30% of the adult population of the earth.

This disease is found everywhere and in many countries is the main cause of death. It is important to note that in 90% of cases - this disease is diagnosed as an independent - primary arterial or essential hypertension. And only in every tenth patient it is concomitant. This disease develops against the background of ailments of the kidneys, lungs, endocrine glands.

What is arterial hypertension

Chronic disease, expressed in a constant or periodic increase in pressure. Doctors in almost all developed countries mark this disease as an epidemic of the 21st century. In Europe and the USA, it is detected in every second elderly person. Half of the cases are fatal. The scale of the incidence is impressive and alarming. And although there has been a big breakthrough in the treatment of older people in recent decades, it still remains an insidious and dangerous disease. This is due to the fact that hypertension in the initial stages is asymptomatic. But the disease causes significant damage to health - it depletes the cardiovascular system. It is important that people at risk do not neglect prevention and treatment.

Causes and symptoms of hypertension

The reasons for the occurrence of pathology are different. More often than not, doctors can't find them at all. Especially when it comes to primary hypertension. But the causes of somatic (secondary) arterial hypertension can be established. It occurs in 10% of patients with high blood pressure. Main reasons

• kidney damage, or glomerulonephritis;
• stenosis of the renal arteries;
• congenital narrowing of the aorta;
• increased functions of the internal glands, in particular, the thyroid;
• against the background of tumors of the adrenal glands, malignant hypertension is formed;
• alcoholism:
• medicinal - develops during long-term use of hormonal drugs, antidepressants, etc.

Symptoms of hypertension

Treatment at the initial stage is complicated by the fact that this disease does not have specific symptoms. Many patients are unaware of the presence of the disease. They have no complaints about their health, they lead an active lifestyle. Although occasionally they have bouts of weakness, dizziness and mild nausea.

Despite the serious consequences, many people do not take this disease seriously, neglecting prevention and treatment. In the early stages, the development of this disease can be stopped. Complaints in patients appear when the "targets" are damaged. These are the organs whose functioning depends on blood pressure. Complications of the disease most often give to the heart and blood vessels.

There are symptoms, although not specific, for which arterial hypertension is suspected. This is weakness, flies before the eyes, numbness of the limbs. All of these signs are temporary. But the main symptom is headaches.

Degrees and stages of hypertension

• Mild or first - SBP 140-159 / DBP 90-99.
• Borderline or second - 160-179 / 100-109.
• Severe or third degree - 180 and above / 110+.

Allocate another form of the disease. This is systolic isolated hypertension. Her indicators are SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.

With an increase in blood pressure, target organs are the first to suffer. Based on pathological changes, the disease is divided into stages:

• 1 - modifications in target organs are not observed.
• 2 - changes are established in several organs.
• Stage 3 - associated clinical conditions are recorded.

Risk factors for developing hypertension

• Age. This disease is most often diagnosed in women over 65, in men over 55.
• Cholesterol exceeds the content of more than 6. 5 mmol per liter.
• Hereditary diseases of the cardiovascular system in a straight ascending line.
• Prolonged smoking.
• The presence of diabetes.
• Hypertension develops with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

All risk factors are divided into two groups. Correctable - which can be eliminated. This includes diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, obesity. Uncorrectable - these are those that are not subject to medical influence - poor heredity and age. In this case, in order not to provoke the development of arterial hypertension, it is necessary to follow the recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle.

Hypertension in women

Differs from men's. Firstly, there are such forms of the disease that are not recorded in the strong half of humanity, for example, hypertension during menopause and during pregnancy. Secondly, according to statistics, 41% of women have pathology. Therefore, vascular hypertension is more often a problem of the weaker sex. In the beautiful half, the disease is more difficult. Blood pressure readings are usually higher. Although in women at a young age, this disease is recorded less frequently.

Pathology coexists with other ailments and aggravates their course. As a result, a woman has a whole "bouquet" of ailments, such as diabetes, obesity, varicose veins, and metabolic disorders. All this complicates the treatment process.

The role of women in society has changed. On her shoulders, in addition to housework and raising children, lay those duties that are more inherent in men. More and more women are engaged in a career, business, and sometimes support a family. Hence tension, stress and overload. And this does not lead to better health, but worsen it. Do not forget that the predisposition to hypertension is hereditary. Therefore, women who have relatives with high blood pressure in a straight ascending line should not forget about prevention and regular examination.

Finally, female hypertension causes much more trouble. It gives more complications, for example, often in women in old age, a stroke develops against the background of the disease. The heart also suffers. Women should not neglect treatment and be more attentive to well-being. It is important not to miss the first harbingers of a developing disease.

Hypertension during pregnancy

As a rule, it comes to light on the second trimester. It manifests itself at 20-21 weeks of gestation and may disappear after the birth of the baby. All women who have high blood pressure are at risk for placental abruption and preeclampsia. With pronounced hypertension in pregnant women, the tactics of childbirth also change, and a prescription for caesarean section is possible.

Methods for the treatment of hypertension

It is carried out with the help of medical preparations. They are able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms, but the disease is not cured. Almost all treatment methods are aimed at reducing the risks associated with the development of serious complications such as strokes and heart attacks, as well as improving the patient's quality of life.

Modern treatment is focused not on lowering the pressure, but on eliminating the very cause of the emerging pathology. Antihypertensive drugs do not solve this problem. To achieve truly tangible results, treatment is carried out strictly individually, all the causes of the development of the disease are taken into account. The etiology of hypertension may be associated with dysfunction of the liver and biliary tract. Then acupressure will be effective for treatment. In other cases, high blood pressure is associated with impaired kidney function. Often it develops against the background of obesity. Then the patient is prescribed a diet for weight correction and various methods of physiotherapy.

Drugs for the treatment of hypertension

Traditional treatment is carried out with medicines. Constant monitoring of blood pressure is required. It must be in a stable state. For this, groups of drugs are used. Their action is based on different mechanisms of influence, but all help to reduce pressure.

• potassium antagonists. They block calcium channels in the walls of the vessel, while the gaps increase.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs in the treatment of hypertension block the synthesis of renin, which has a direct effect on the increase in blood pressure.
• B-blockers. These tablets for hypertension lower the heart rate.
• Diuretics. These are diuretics. They help reduce fluid in the body, which lowers blood pressure.

It is important to understand that even new drugs are strictly forbidden to be taken without consulting a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous and ineffective. Only a cardiologist is able to choose the right remedy.

Diet for hypertension

Doctors in pathology recommend changing the diet. One of the tasks during the treatment of this disease is the normalization of weight and metabolic processes in the body. To do this, follow a number of strict requirements. First, reduce your salt intake. Its main component, sodium, prevents the removal of water from the body. This increases blood volume, which raises blood pressure. Secondly, they refuse green and black tea. You don't have to drink coffee either. These products cause vasospasm and increase the load on the heart. Try to avoid fatty foods. Remove butter and sausage from the diet.

It is better to choose products of plant origin. Eat more vegetables. They are rich in fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels. Dried apricots, carrots, cabbage and beets increase the amount of such important mineral elements as magnesium and potassium in the body. These substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and heart muscles. Food should be fractional. Divide your daily ration into 5 equal portions. Breaks between meals no more than 3 hours.

Lastly, lifestyle is important in hypertension. Give up alcohol and smoking. Eliminate all convenience foods and fast food from your diet. Don't starve! With hypertension, strict diets are not allowed, stress is contraindicated for the body.

Treatment with folk remedies

The positive side of such drugs is that they have been tested by time and more than one generation. Phytotherapy is of great help in the treatment. Sedative herbs are used, which produce a calming effect on the body. This group of plants includes hawthorn, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, mint. Lemon, honey and rose hips also contribute to lowering blood pressure. Green tea helps a lot. A few recipes that help in the treatment of hypertension:

1. Honey is mixed with lemon and beet juice (liquid ratio 1: 1). Stir well and drink one-third of a glass an hour after eating.
2. Of all the herbs, hawthorn especially helps. Tincture is taken 10 drops in the morning daily.
3. Well lowers blood pressure - cranberries. It is enough to eat one glass of this berry in the morning.
4. Lemon balm, mint and valerian are steamed in equal amounts in a water bath. Five times a day, drink half a glass of this infusion. It has a calming and relaxing effect.

Diabetes and hypertension

Pathologies are interrelated. They have a mutually reinforcing effect aimed at disrupting the function of several target organs at once. Tests for hypertension aggravated by diabetes mellitus often indicate damage to the blood vessels of the brain and retina of the eyes, heart and kidneys. In this scenario of the development of the disease, the main cause of death is often coronary heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.

It is important for diabetes to identify hypertension at an early stage. This will allow you to prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent severe complications from the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

Prevention of hypertension

It is appropriate for those who have among the blood relatives of people with this disease, especially in a straight line (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather). After 30 years, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations, even if there are no obvious signs of the development of the disease. For people at risk, alcohol and smoking are contraindicated. They need to follow a low-salt and low-fat diet. Physical exercise is important for prevention. You can do jogging, walking, cycling. You need to avoid shocks and stress, lead a measured lifestyle.