Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure above the level of 140 to 90, which is systematic. It is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system. According to medical statistics, from 20% to 30% of the adult population worldwide refers to hypertension, but among people from 40 to 65 years old, the incidence reaches from 50% to 65%. Men and women are equally prone to hypertension.
Hypertension it is primary, or essential, when its root cause cannot be determined, and secondary, or symptomatic, when the cause of high blood pressure is a malfunction of an organ. However, primary hypertension is more common.
If hypertension is not treated, then it can lead to the most serious consequences, up to the death of the patient. Most often, hypertension is complicated by impaired functioning of the kidneys, brain and heart.
Hypertension - the causes of the disease
There is still no definitive information on the exact causes of high blood pressure. However, it is reliably known that its appearance can be triggered:
- smoking;
- overweight;
- a sedentary lifestyle;
- the use of large amounts of salt;
- excessive drinking;
- stress;
- advanced age;
- genetics;
- chronic renal failure;
- diseases of the adrenal gland or thyroid gland.
Hypertension - symptoms of the disease
The insidiousness of hypertension lies in the fact that a person for years may not know that he is sick, and, accordingly, do not take any treatment. There are various forms of hypertension, each of which has its own symptoms.
Transient hypertension can be recognized by a periodic increase in blood pressure, which, having lasted from several hours to several days, returns to normal and does not bother a person.
For labile arterial hypertension, an increase in blood pressure lasting up to several days is characteristic, however, it is possible to normalize it only by taking medications. In this case, an increase in pressure is supplemented by a feeling of fatigue, headaches, dizziness or discomfort in the chest area.
Stable arterial hypertension is characterized by constant high blood pressure, which can be normalized only by taking quite serious medications. This form of hypertension is accompanied by signs of heart failure, making themselves felt during any physical exertion.
Malignant arterial hypertension is manifested by very high pressure, swelling in the legs, pain in the heart, impaired vision, increased urine output.
The crisis course of arterial hypertension is characterized by the periodic occurrence of hypertensive crises, during which the patient’s well-being worsens.
Hypertension - diagnosis of the disease
The first step to detect hypertension is to measure your blood pressure. To make the diagnosis more accurate, it is necessary to register the highest blood pressure values in three independent measurements. With increased indicators, the doctor interviews the patient and examines him. During the survey, the patient's predisposition to hypertension, his hereditary factors, bad habits, as well as the nature of the existing symptoms, are revealed.
Further laboratory tests are carried out, which include determination of blood glucose level, fundus examination, biochemical blood test, general blood test and urinalysis, ultrasound of internal organs, electrocardiogram.
Hypertension - treatment and prevention
The treatment of hypertension can be non-drug and drug. Non-medication is to follow a diet with a restriction of salt, fats, easily digestible carbohydrates; favorable work and rest; stress management; refusal from alcohol abuse, smoking, the use of other psychoactive substances; daily moderate physical activity; normalization of body weight.
With the help of medication, they lower blood pressure, eliminating its causes. First, mono - or combination therapy is used. If there is no effect from it, low-dose combinations of antihypertensive agents are used (primarily, reducing mortality and the risk of heart attacks and strokes).
Modern medicine has a large number of reliable and effective methods of dealing with high blood pressure and the prevention of its complications, therefore, with timely access to a doctor and treatment, a patient with high blood pressure can lead a normal and full-fledged lifestyle.
