Arterial hypertension

Hypertension

(hypertension) is a sustained increase in blood pressure, which requires constant monitoring of your health, as well as timely treatment. Otherwise, the risk of developing dangerous diseases and even death increases.

The human vascular system is a transport network in which transport - blood - is in continuous movement. For blood to move, it must be under pressure. Pressure is created due to the contraction of the heart muscle, as a result of which a new portion of blood is thrown into the arteries with each heartbeat. That is why when measuring pressure, two values ​​are recorded: at the moment of contraction and in a relaxed state. The larger (upper) value is called systolic pressure (systole means “contraction” in Greek), the smaller (lower) value is called diastolic pressure (diastole means “expansion”). Normally, the upper value should be about 120-140 mmHg. Art., lower - about 70-80 mm Hg. Art. For young people, lower rates are normal, for people over 40 years old, higher rates. If the pressure measurement shows values ​​that are higher than those indicated, then such pressure should be considered elevated. A sustained increase in blood pressure is called hypertension

, and the patient is diagnosed with
hypertension (hypertension)
.

Causes of hypertension

Blood pressure fluctuates constantly, and our body is well adapted to such fluctuations. The walls of the vessels through which blood moves are elastic, and when pressure increases, they stretch. As a result, the pressure normalizes. Also, when pressure increases, blood from the arterial vessels goes into the capillaries. That is, the body has an effective mechanism for normalizing pressure. Hypertension develops when, for some reason, this mechanism ceases to function.

Modern medical science does not yet have an exact answer to the question of why hypertension occurs. However, there are a number of factors that can lead to a sustained increase in blood pressure. This:

• overweight (obesity);
• diabetes;
• smoking, alcohol abuse;
• high level of adrenaline in the blood (including as a result of experienced stress);
• atherosclerosis (primarily atherosclerosis of the aorta);
• kidney diseases;
• thyroid diseases;
• taking certain medications (including hormonal contraceptives).

The risk of developing hypertension increases with age. Hypertension in young people is often explained by kidney disease or magnesium deficiency in the body.

Types of arterial hypertension

The classification of arterial hypertension is based on various parameters, one of which is the origin. Based on origin, the patient can be diagnosed with:

• Primary arterial hypertension is caused by many factors, which are being elucidated by specialists all over the world. However, it has been reliably established that the basis of this disease is unfavorable heredity in combination with the factors acting on it. The vast majority of patients - about 90% - suffer from this type of arterial hypertension. This disease has a second name – essential hypertension;
• Secondary arterial hypertension manifests itself when organs involved in the regulation of blood pressure are damaged, therefore the disease is otherwise called symptomatic arterial hypertension.

Stages and complications of hypertension

Arterial hypertension leads to increased stress on the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. Hypertension can cause diseases and pathologies such as:

• heart failure, myocardial infarction;
• cerebrovascular accidents (ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes);
• nephrosclerosis, renal failure;
• deterioration of vision (as a result of circulatory disorders in the retina).

Therefore, those who are at risk of developing the disease, as well as those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, need to monitor their condition and regularly measure their blood pressure.

The following procedure for measuring pressure is recommended. Blood pressure is measured while sitting, after a five-minute rest. The measurement is carried out three times in a row, the lowest values ​​are taken into account.

Depending on the detected pressure, three stages of hypertension are distinguished.

Stage I hypertension

characterized by increases in blood pressure in the range of 160-180/95-105 mmHg. Art.

Stage II hypertension

diagnosed with pressure in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art.

Stage III hypertension

– this is a severe pathological condition in which blood pressure is recorded in the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. This pressure cannot be normalized on its own, without medical help.

What is hypertension?

A syndrome in which there is a regular, long-term and persistent increase in blood pressure is called “arterial hypertension” or “hypertension”. This syndrome may appear:

• in case of hypertension (HTN) - a primary independent disease;
• for secondary (symptomatic) hypertension , which is a consequence of disruption of the functioning of various organs - kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid gland and others.

Hypertension accounts for the majority of cases of hypertension. The etiology of hypertension is not reliably known, but it is based on primary functional disorders of the systems that regulate blood pressure.

Risk factors for developing hypertension include:

• hereditary predisposition;
• a sedentary lifestyle, which reduces the body’s adaptive capabilities and disrupts the functioning of the circulatory system;
• high body mass index. In obese people, the risk of developing hypertension increases 2-6 times;
• excess salt in the diet, which leads to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body, which increases the load on the cardiovascular system;
• drinking alcohol, smoking;
• elderly age. The older a person gets, the higher their risk of developing the disease.

It turns out that in most cases, bad habits lead to hypertension - physical inactivity, overeating, poor nutrition, nicotine and alcohol addiction. That is why hypertension is considered a pathology directly related to lifestyle, and changing it for the better is the main element of successful treatment.

Symptoms of hypertension

High blood pressure can manifest itself as symptoms such as:

• weakness;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• decreased performance.

However, these symptoms may simply be perceived by a person as signs of fatigue. In addition, at the first stage, hypertension can be asymptomatic.

Separately, there is a sudden increase in pressure - a hypertensive crisis

, which can also be considered a complication of hypertension. During a hypertensive crisis, a sharp disruption of blood circulation occurs in the most important organs - the brain, heart, kidneys. Symptoms of a hypertensive crisis are:

• Strong headache;
• darkening of the eyes;
• nausea and vomiting;
• angina pectoris, feeling of increased heartbeat;
• cold sweat, weakness, trembling hands.

Symptoms of stage I hypertension
Possible rises in blood pressure within the range of 160-180/95-105 mm Hg. Art. After rest, the pressure usually returns to normal. There may be no additional symptoms, but tinnitus, heaviness in the head, mild headaches, poor sleep, decreased performance, and sometimes dizziness and nosebleeds may occur.

Symptoms of stage II hypertension

The pressure rises to values ​​in the range of 180-200/105-115 mm Hg. Art. In this case, the increase in pressure turns out to be more stable than in the case of stage I. Stage II hypertension is manifested by headaches and angina, dizziness and hypertensive crises should also be expected. Blood supply to the brain, kidneys and retina is reduced. Possible strokes.

Symptoms of stage III hypertension

Blood pressure is recorded within the range of 200-230/115-130 mm Hg. Art. With this pressure, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes increases significantly. Irreversible changes occur in the activity of the heart, brain and kidneys.

What symptoms may indicate hypertension?

As a rule, the disease is asymptomatic for a long time. In some cases, increased pressure is accompanied by:

• frequent heart rate;
• headaches, dizziness;
• weakness, fatigue;
• redness of the facial skin;
• increased sweating;
• blurred vision, ringing in the ears.

However, such symptoms are not specific to hypertension and may be signs of other diseases or fatigue. Therefore, pathology can be detected at an early stage only by regularly measuring blood pressure.

Methods for diagnosing hypertension

Hypertension is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure. For diagnosis, the method of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be used.

It is of great importance to establish the cause of the increase in pressure. Without eliminating the cause, treatment of hypertension cannot be sufficiently effective. In order to establish the cause of arterial hypertension, as well as to determine the degree of damage to internal organs, various instrumental and laboratory studies are carried out.

ECG

ECG is a basic study in cardiology. Allows you to identify heart diseases that are the cause or accompanying hypertension. Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG monitoring) can be used to take an ECG.

More information about the diagnostic method

Echocardiography

Echocardiography for hypertension provides the doctor with information about pathological processes in the patient’s heart. At the first stage of the disease, echocardiography shows an increase in the rate of contraction of the walls of the left ventricle, while the size of the cavities and the thickness of the walls remain within normal limits. In later stages, dilation of the left ventricle can be seen, accompanied by a decrease in its contractility.

More information about the diagnostic method

Ultrasound examinations

In case of persistent increase in blood pressure, ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands, as well as ultrasound of the brachiocephalic and renal arteries, may also be prescribed.

More information about the diagnostic method

Optical coherence tomography

If you have hypertension, it is important to undergo a fundus examination, since increased pressure can lead to pathological changes in this area and cause vision impairment. Fundus examination is best performed using optical coherence tomography. Biomicrography of the fundus using a fundus camera can also be used.

More information about the diagnostic method

Laboratory diagnostics

Examination for hypertension includes laboratory tests. You will need to do blood tests - general and biochemistry (tests for the level of creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and glucose in the blood), as well as a general urine test. Other tests may be ordered.

Sign up for diagnostics To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with specialists from the Family Doctor network.

Causes of arterial hypertension

Experts fail to establish the causes of arterial hypertension in 90% of cases. In 10% of cases, the disease can develop as a complication of another disease or as a result of taking medications. The risk of developing hypertension syndrome may increase due to several factors:

• hereditary predisposition;
• age and gender of the person;
• smoking;
• frequent stressful situations;
• drinking alcohol in large quantities;
• excessive consumption of salt in food;
• low mobility and obesity;
• kidney diseases;
• metabolic disorder;
• diabetes.

Treatment methods for hypertension

The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce the risk of developing the most dangerous complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic renal failure and nephrosclerosis). To this end, measures are being taken to reduce blood pressure to normal levels and reduce the vulnerability of target organs. The patient needs to be prepared that antihypertensive therapy will be carried out for life. The course of treatment at stages II and III of the disease necessarily includes drug therapy. Treatment of stage I hypertension may not require medications, but may be limited only to non-drug therapy methods. In any case, non-drug therapy for hypertension is very important.

A patient with hypertension should regularly measure blood pressure and follow all instructions of the attending physician.

Prevention measures

Measures to prevent hypertension include:

• regular physical activity;
• giving up alcohol and smoking;
• balanced diet.
• dosed consumption of table salt (no more than 5 g per day).

Also, do not forget to regularly measure your blood pressure with a tonometer, which will allow you to notice its increase in time and seek medical help.

Which doctor treats hypertension

A cardiologist treats hypertension. Also, treatment of hypertension can be carried out by a general practitioner (general practitioner or family doctor), who often detects high blood pressure when contacting him with complaints of poor health.

Drug therapy

Medicines should be selected by a doctor, who does this taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.

Lifestyle change

First of all, you need to:

• stop smoking;
• eliminate or reduce alcohol consumption;
• try to reduce weight to normal;
• reduce salt intake to 5 g/day;
• provide regular physical activity. The most beneficial are walking, swimming and therapeutic exercises;
• increase your resistance to stress;
• optimize nutrition (eat more greens, fruits, foods with a significant content of potassium, calcium and magnesium, and, conversely, reduce the consumption of vegetable fats and protein foods). You should eat regularly.

Make an appointment Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Prognosis for arterial hypertension

Treatment of vasorenal arterial hypertension and the prognosis for this disease depend on the patient’s compliance with the recommendations of the attending physician and the adequacy of the prescribed therapy. The prognosis for hypertension can be quite favorable. However, for this it is important to identify the problem in a timely manner and develop treatment tactics.

The prognosis for women, as medical practice shows, is more favorable than for men. The course of the disease is influenced by the following factors: the rate of development of the disease, the stability of pressure and the presence of diseases of other organs and systems. Modern standards of treatment for arterial hypertension make it possible to achieve success in more than 85% of cases.