An increase in pressure above the age norm is rightly called arterial hypertension.
If the pressure rises frequently or for a long time and the cause cannot be identified during the test, a diagnosis of high blood pressure will be made. If a person has any disease that has caused an increase in pressure (e. g. , traumatic brain injury in the past, kidney disease, etc. ), they are talking about secondary arterial hypertension. However, in common parlance, all cases of high blood pressure are often referred to as high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is called a "silent killer" because it does not always have obvious symptoms, especially in the early stages. It has been found that 20-30% of the adult population has high blood pressure, although many are unaware of their illness for a long time. If high blood pressure is not treated, there is an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. The only way to find out if there is a problem
measure your blood pressure regularly.
Blood pressure is the force by which blood pushes the walls of blood vessels and the heart. In high blood pressure, the blood pressure in the arteries and heart rises too much, leading to premature wear of these organs and increasing the risk of other diseases, such as kidney or brain damage.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded in two dimensions:
- systolic pressure - blood pressure when the heart contracts and pushes blood into the arteries;
- Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure at which the heart muscle relaxes between two contractions.
For example, if your doctor says your blood pressure is "above 140 90, " that means your systolic pressure is 140 mmHg. Art. , And diastolic pressure - 90 mmHg. Art.
In adults, the optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. Art. However, numbers up to 139/89 are within the normal range. If your blood pressure is more than 140/90 inclusive (inclusive), you have arterial hypertension and need further investigation or treatment.
Symptoms of high blood pressure (hypertension)
An increase in blood pressure is not always accompanied by a change in well-being. The only way to be sure you know you have high blood pressure is to measure your blood pressure. Adult blood pressure should be checked at least once every five years.
If you are pregnant, it is important to check your blood pressure regularly, even if it is not high. Monitoring blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of complications. High blood pressure in pregnant women can lead to preeclampsia. This is a dangerous condition in which there is a problem with the placenta (the organ that circulates the unborn child).
Sometimes the symptoms of high blood pressure are:
- headache;
- darkening or double vision;
- nose bleeding;
- shortness of breath.
Such signs appear in people under very high pressure. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to serious illnesses, including stroke and heart attack. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms or high blood pressure. If symptoms are severe, call an ambulance.
Causes of high blood pressure (arterial hypertension)
In more than 90% of cases, the cause of high blood pressure cannot be determined. Hypertension is then called essential or primary. Factors that may increase the risk of developing primary hypertension include:
- age: the risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age;
- there have been cases of high blood pressure in your family (the disease may be hereditary);
- excessive salt in the diet;
- lack of exercise;
- fulness;
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- tension.
Known causes of hypertension
About 10% of cases of high blood pressure are the result of a certain disease or cause. These cases are called secondary high blood pressure. Typical causes of pressure increase in this case are:
- kidney disease;
- diabetes;
- narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys;
- hormonal disorders such as Cushing's syndrome (a condition in which the body produces too much steroid hormone);
- diseases affecting the connective tissues of the body, such as systemic lupus erythematosus;
- birth control pills (oral contraceptives);
- analgesics known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
- club drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystalline methamphetamine;
- some herbs, herbal supplements.
Diagnosis of high blood pressure
Systematic measurement of blood pressure is used above all to diagnose arterial hypertension and identify possible causes. This can be done by a healthcare professional or by yourself using a home pressure gauge.
Blood pressure in healthy people over the age of 40 should be measured at least every five years. If you are at increased risk of high blood pressure, you should check your blood pressure more often, ideally once a year.
Blood pressure measurements are usually easy to perform in most clinics and hospitals. Blood pressure is usually measured with a sphygmomanometer (manometer), which consists of a stethoscope, a cuff, a measuring device, an air blower, and a valve.
The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated to restrict blood flow in the artery. The cuff is then slowly lowered while listening to the pulse with a stethoscope. If you listen to your heart rate under the lowered cuff, it will reliably read your blood pressure. In addition, automatic (digital) blood pressure monitors that measure pressure and heart rate using electrical sensors are now widespread.
Before you start measuring your blood pressure, rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder. For accurate blood pressure measurement, you should sit and not talk during the procedure.
If one of your measurements shows high blood pressure, it does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Blood pressure levels can fluctuate during the day. During a medical visit, the pressure may increase due to anxiety and stress. In these cases, it is recommended to measure the intraday pressure independently with a home tonometer. By eliminating the "white-clad fear, " you can get more objective metrics.
You may also have blood and urine tests to check for diseases that increase your risk of high blood pressure, such as kidney disease.
Decipher the tonometer reading
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded in two ranges:
- systolic pressure - blood pressure when the heart contracts and pushes blood into the arteries;
- Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure at which the heart muscle relaxes between two contractions.
For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg. Art. , And diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg. Art. , They say your pressure is over 140 90.
Ideally, blood pressure should be less than 120/80. However, values below 140/90 are generally considered normal. If you have kidney disease, diabetes, heart or circulatory disease, your target blood pressure should be below 130/80 mm Hg. Art.
If your blood pressure is above 140/90 for several days, you have arterial hypertension and need further testing.
Treatment of high blood pressure
Effective measures to lower blood pressure include lifestyle changes and medication. The choice of treatment depends on your blood pressure and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
If your blood pressure is slightly above 130/80 mm Hg. Art. , And at the same time low risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you can only reduce the pressure with certain lifestyle changes.
If your blood pressure is moderately high (140/90 mm Hg or higher) and you are at risk of developing heart disease within the next 10 years, treatment will include medication and lifestyle changes.
If your blood pressure is very high (180/110 mm Hg or higher), you may need treatment soon, depending on your condition.
Lifestyle in hypertension
Here are some changes you can make to your lifestyle to lower your blood pressure. Some of them lead to rapid improvement within a few weeks, while others take longer to take effect.
- Reduce your salt intake to less than 6 grams per day.
- Eat healthy, low-fat, balanced foods, including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay Active: Maintaining physical activity is one of the key things you need to do to prevent or control high blood pressure.
- Reduce your alcohol consumption.
- Give up smoking. Smoking greatly increases the chances of developing lung and heart disease.
- It suffers to lose.
- Drink less coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages such as cola. Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can increase blood pressure.
- Try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation and stress management (autogenic training).
The more healthy habits you adopt, the greater your positive impact will be. In practice, some people find that they do not have to take medication at all while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Medication for high blood pressure
A wide variety of antihypertensive drugs are available. You may need to take more than one type of medication because sometimes a combination of medications is needed to treat high blood pressure.
In some cases, you will need to take antihypertensive medicines for the rest of your life. However, if your blood pressure stays under control for several years, you may stop taking the medication. Most high blood pressure medications can cause side effects, but this problem can be solved by changing the medications you take.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following common side effects:
- feeling drowsy;
- pain in the kidney area (lumbar region);
- dry cough;
- dizziness, fatigue or lethargy;
- rash on the skin.
The following are the most commonly used medications to treat high blood pressure.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorslowers blood pressure by relaxing the walls of blood vessels. The most common side effect is persistent dry cough. If side effects start to bother you, you may be advised to take medicines such as angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists that work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors.
ACE inhibitors can cause unexpected side effects when taken with other medicines, including over-the-counter medicines. Before taking any additional medication, ask your doctor if the combination causes any negative side effects.
Calcium channel blockers(calcium antagonists) prevent the entry of calcium into the muscle tissue cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, the arteries (large blood vessels) dilate and blood pressure drops.
Consuming grapefruit juice while taking certain calcium channel blockers may increase the risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Diuretics(diuretics) work by removing excess fluid and salt from the body in the urine.
Beta-blockers (beta-blockers)reduces the speed and strength of heart contractions, thereby lowering blood pressure. Beta-blockers used to be a popular drug for high blood pressure, but today they are usually only used when other drugs are not working. This is because beta-blockers are considered less effective than other types of medicines for high blood pressure.
In addition, beta-blockers may interact with other medicines and cause side effects. Ask your doctor for advice before taking any other medicines with beta-blockers.
Do not stop taking beta-blockers suddenly without talking to your doctor. This can lead to serious side effects such as high blood pressure or angina.
Alpha blockers (alpha blockers)usually not recommended as a first choice for high blood pressure unless other medications are working. Alpha-blockers work by relaxing the blood vessels, greatly facilitating blood flow in them.
Common side effects of alpha-blockers include:
- fainting during the first dose of the medicine ("the effect of the first dose");
- dizziness;
- headache;
- swelling of the ankle;
- fatigue.
Complications of high blood pressure
High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease over time.
Cardiovascular disease in hypertension
High blood pressure can cause many different diseases of the heart, blood vessels and heart vessels (cardiovascular disease), including:
- stroke;
- myocardial infarction;
- embolism: occurs when a blood clot or air bubble blocks the flow of blood in a blood vessel;
- aneurysm: develops when a vessel wall stretches and can rupture at any time, causing internal bleeding.
Kidney disease and high blood pressure
High blood pressure can also damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys and impair their function. This complication can cause symptoms such as:
- fatigue;
- swelling of the ankle, foot or hands (due to water retention in the body);
- shortness of breath;
- the presence of blood in the urine;
- frequent urination, especially at night;
- itchy skin.
Kidney disease is treated with medications and supplements. In more severe cases, dialysis (a medical procedure in which the blood is artificially cleared of toxic metabolites in the body) or a kidney transplant is needed.
Prevention of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can be prevented by eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
Smoking alone does not cause high blood pressure, but it significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Smoking, like high blood pressure, causes narrowing of the arteries. If you smoke with high blood pressure, your arteries will narrow much faster and the risk of developing heart and lung disease will increase significantly in the future.
Power supply at high pressure
Reduce the amount of salt in your diet by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Salt raises blood pressure. The more salt you consume, the higher your blood pressure. You need to eat less than 6 grams of salt a day, which is about the size of a teaspoon.
Eating low-fat, high-fiber foods (such as wholemeal rice, bread, and pasta) and lots of fruits and vegetables have been shown to lower blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber that keep the body healthy. Try to eat five 80 g servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
If you drink more than the legal limit on a regular basis, your blood pressure will rise over time. It is not recommended for men to take more than 2-4 doses a day and for women more than 2-3. By regular use we mean every day or most days of the week. 1 serving of alcohol is roughly equivalent to a glass of vodka, half a glass of wine, or half a beer.
Furthermore, because alcohol is high in calories, regular consumption of alcohol leads to weight gain and a corresponding increase in blood pressure.
Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can lead to high blood pressure. If you’re a big fan of coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages (like Coca-Cola and some energy drinks), consider cutting back. It is very good to drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it is important that these drinks are not the only source of fluid.
Weight and exercise for high blood pressure
Because of being overweight, the heart works harder to pump blood through the body, which usually results in an increase in blood pressure. If you really need to lose weight, keep in mind that losing up to two to three pounds will significantly change your blood pressure and improve your overall health.
An active lifestyle and regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition. Regular exercise also helps you lose weight, which also helps lower your blood pressure.
An adult should spend at least 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) a week doing moderate-intensity outdoor exercise, such as cycling or brisk walking. When doing exercises, you should follow the fact that you need to be warm and suffocate a bit. For an entire person to reach this state, it may be enough to go up the hill a bit. Physical activity can include a variety of exercises, from sports to walking and gardening.
Relaxation exercises can lower blood pressure. They include:
- Stress management (autogenous training), meditation or yoga.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on how your thoughts and beliefs may affect your well-being and ability to cope with problems. You can discuss such psychotherapy with your doctor.
- Biofeedback (a self-regulating method that allows you to consciously control your blood pressure): A small monitor shows your heart rate or blood pressure in real time. Your doctor may refer you to biofeedback.
What doctor should I go to for high blood pressure?
If your blood pressure is high, find a good therapist who understands the causes of the disease and prescribes treatment. If you have heart problems or chronic cardiovascular disease, choose a cardiologist.