Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is widespread throughout the world. 40% of adults in our country have high blood pressure, and only 21% are treated effectively.
Hypertension, essential hypertension, arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension?
Previously, the term hypertension was used in our country. For some time now, the term arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension has been used according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is hypertension?
If an increase in blood pressure is recorded by your doctor during at least 3 control blood pressure measurements, you can be said to have arterial hypertension.
Normally, pressure numbers can change depending on the state of a person: it increases during physical or psycho-emotional stress, and decreases during sleep. However, the pressure returns to normal numbers from 100/60 to 140/90.
Symptoms of hypertension
The main symptom of hypertension is headache. This happens due to narrowing and spasm of blood vessels in the brain. Also common symptoms of hypertension:
- Tinnitus
- Flying "flies" and a veil in front of the eyes
- General weakness
- Sleep disorder
- Dizziness
- Heaviness in the head
- Heart beat
Such symptoms occur in the early stage of hypertension and are neurotic in nature. In the later stages of hypertension, heart failure can occur due to the constant overwork of the heart muscle due to high blood pressure.
Due to the progression of the disease process, there may be a decrease in visual acuity, damage to the blood vessels in the brain from high blood pressure, which in some cases can lead to paralysis, a decrease in the sensitivity of the extremities due to vasospasm. , bleeding or thrombosis.
Causes of hypertension
If the cause of the increase in blood pressure is not determined, they speak of primary (main) hypertension or essential hypertension. The following play a role in its development:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Chronic stress
- Amount of salt consumed
- Low physical activity, etc.
- The cause of hypertension in women may be the period of body reconstruction during menopause.
In any case, it is difficult to determine the underlying cause because most people diagnosed with hypertension are exposed to many risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
Up to 5% of arterial hypertension is secondary (symptomatic), that is, due to certain causes. Most often, kidney pathology, endocrine pathology or abnormalities of large vessels cause an increase in blood pressure.
Examination of patients aims to rule out secondary causes of high blood pressure, because sometimes these causes can be eliminated or special treatment is required.
In addition, the examination clarifies changes in organs and systems caused by arterial hypertension itself. High blood pressure causes changes in the heart, kidneys, cerebral vessels and fundus vessels. Such examination should be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
The level of arterial hypertension and target organ damage determine the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Depending on the degree of risk, treatment tactics are determined: from lifestyle changes, diet and weight loss to the immediate start of drug treatment.
It is important to monitor your own blood pressure, not only when visiting a doctor.
How to measure pressure?
How to measure blood pressure:
- Blood pressure should be measured at rest, after 5 minutes of rest, while sitting
- The tonometer cuff should be at the level of the heart, the lower edge should be 2 cm above the elbow
- Blood pressure should be measured daily and recorded in a blood pressure diary.
Treatment of hypertension
A blood pressure control program consists of lifestyle changes and drug therapy. Changing your lifestyle includes:
- Regular physical activity up to 30 minutes a day
- Low calorie diet and weight loss
- Reducing salt intake
- Limitation of alcohol consumption
- Reducing the intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol-rich foods
- Increasing fruit consumption
- Quit smoking
If blood pressure is high, drug treatment is prescribed immediately. Most patients need to take 2 or more medications.
Treatment of patients with arterial hypertension is carried out continuously, because its cancellation will lead to an increase in blood pressure again.