Hypertension (greater pressure)

An increase in pressure above the age standard is correct to call arterial hypertension.

If the pressure increases often or for a long time, and during the exam, it is not possible to identify the causes of this, then the hypertension is diagnosed.If a person has a disease that causes pressure increases (for example, traumatic brain injury in the past, kidney disease, etc.), then they speak of secondary arterial hypertension.However, in collapse, all cases of greater pressure are often called hypertension.

Hypertension is known as a "silent murderer", since it does not always have obvious symptoms, especially in the initial stages.It was established that greater pressure has 20-30 % of the adult population, although many do not know about their illness for a long time.If hypertension is not treated, the risks of a heart attack or a stroke increase.The only way to learn about the presence of a problem isBlood pressure measurement using an electronic tonometerMeasure blood pressure regularly.

Blood pressure is the power with which blood presses against the walls of the blood vessels and the heart.With hypertension, blood pressure on arteries and the heart become excessively high, which leads to premature wear of these organs and increases the danger of other diseases, for example, the deteriorated renal or brain function.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and fixed in two dimensions:

  • Systolic pressure: blood pressure at the time its heart is reduced and pushed the blood to the arteries;
  • Diastolic pressure: blood pressure at the time of relaxation of heart muscle between two contractions.

For example, if your doctor says that your blood pressure is "140 by 90", this means that its systolic pressure is 140 mm Hg.Art., And diastolic pressure - 90 mm Hg.Art.

Optimal blood pressure in an adult is considered less than 120/80 mm Hg.Art.However, within the standard there are numbers at 139/89 inclusive.If, according to the results of several measurements, its pressure exceeds 140/90 inclusive, it has arterial hypertension, an additional examination is required and, possibly, a treatment.

Symptoms of arterial hypertension (hypertension)

An increase in blood pressure is not always accompanied by a change in good.The only way to find out if it has hypertension is to measure blood pressure.Adults should verify their blood pressure at least once every five years.

If you are pregnant, it is important to constantly verify your blood pressure, even if it is not high.Observation of blood pressure during pregnancy reduces the risk of complications.Increasing blood pressure in a pregnant woman can lead to preeclampsia.This is a dangerous condition in which there is a problem with the placenta (the organ that provides the blood circulation of the unborn child).

Sometimes high pressure symptoms are:

  • headache;
  • darkening or double in the eyes;
  • Nose bleeding;
  • dyspnoea.

Such signs appear in people with very high pressure.If you find any of these symptoms, consult a doctor.Without treatment, arterial hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke and heart attack.Immediately make an appointment with the therapist if you find any of these symptoms or greater pressure.If the symptoms express themselves significantly, call an ambulance.

Causes of hypertension (arterial hypertension)

In more than 90% of cases, the cause of the increase in blood pressure cannot be established.Then hypertension is called essential or primary.The factors that may increase the risk of your primary hypertension include:

  • Age: The risk of developing hypertension increases with age;
  • In his family there were cases of hypertension (the disease can be hereditary);
  • Excess salt in your diet;
  • lack of physical exercises;
  • completeness;
  • smoking;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • stress.

Known hypertension causes

About 10% of high pressure cases are the result of a certain disease or a specific cause.These cases are related to secondary hypertension.The typical pressure causes in this case are:

  • nephropathy;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • narrowing of arteries that supply the kidneys;
  • hormonal diseases, such as kushing syndrome (a disease in which the body produces too many steroid hormones);
  • diseases that affect the connective tissues of the body, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus;
  • contraceptive (oral contraceptives);
  • analgesics, known as non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
  • Club drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystalline methamphetamine;
  • Some vegetable drugs, herbal additives.

Hypertension diagnosis

To diagnose arterial hypertension and identify its possible causes, it resorts mainly to the systematic measurement of blood pressure.This can be done by a medical worker and independently, using a home in the home to measure the pressure.

Healthy people in the age of over 40 should measure their blood pressure at least once every five years.If you have a higher risk of hypertension, you should more frequently verify blood pressure, ideally once a year.

Verifying blood pressure is usually easy to perform in most clinics and hospitals.The blood pressure is usually measured using a tonometer (pressure meter), a device consisting of a stethoscope, a fist, a measurement device, an air injection and a valve.

The sleeve is wrapped around the shoulder and pumps to limit blood flow to the artery.Then, the air in the sleeve begins to slowly decrease, while listening to the pulse with a stethoscope.Listening to your pulse in a place under the descendant huge cuff allows you to obtain reliable data on blood pressure readings.In addition, automatic (digital) tonometers are now common, which measure pressure and pulse using electrical sensors.

Before continuing with blood pressure, you must relax for at least five minutes and empty the bladder.To obtain the correct testimony of blood pressure, you must sit and not speak during manipulation.

If with one of the measurements he found, blood pressure increased, then this does not necessarily mean that he has hypertension.During the day, the blood pressure level can fluctuate.The pressure can increase while taking the doctor due to anxiety and stress.In these cases, it is recommended to measure the pressure during the day on your own, using a domestic tonometer.By excluding the "fear of the white coat", you can obtain more objective indicators.

It can also take blood and urine tests to verify the presence of diseases that increase the risk of high blood pressure, for example, kidney diseases.

Tonometer Reading Descipitation

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of the mercury mercury (mm rt. Art.) And is fixed in two ranges:

  • Systolic pressure: blood pressure at the time its heart is reduced and pushed the blood to the arteries;
  • Diastolic pressure: blood pressure at the time of relaxation of heart muscle between two contractions.

For example, if its systolic blood pressure is 140 mm Hg.Art., And diastolic blood pressure is 90 mm Hg.Art., Then they say that their pressure is 140 by 90.

Ideally, blood pressure must be less than 120/80.However, indications below 140/90 are generally considered normal.If you have a kidney, diabetes or heart disease and circulatory system, your target blood pressure should be below 130/80 mm Hg.Art.

If the pressure indicators for several days are higher than the 140/90 mark, it has arterial hypertension and an additional exam is required.

High pressure treatment

Effective actions to reduce blood pressure are in a change in lifestyle and medication.The choice of the treatment regime will depend on the level of blood pressure and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

If its blood pressure is slightly greater than 130/80 mm Hg.Art., And at the same time, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in their vascular low diseases, then it should be able to reduce pressure only making certain changes in your lifestyle.

If your blood pressure is moderately high (140/90 mm Hg or higher), and there is a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in you for the next 10 years, then the treatment will include medications and adjust your lifestyle.

If its blood pressure is very high (180/110 mm Hg or higher), then in the near future it needs treatment, possibly with an additional exam, depending on the state of its health.

Lifestyle with arterial hypertension

Below are some changes that you could make in your lifestyle to reduce pressure.Some of them will lead to a quick improvement in a few weeks, others will influence a longer period.

  • Reduce salt consumption to less than 6 grams per day.
  • Eat a healthy food, low in fatty and balanced in composition, which includes many fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Be active: maintaining physical activity is one of the key things you must do to prevent or control hypertension.
  • Reduce alcohol consumption.
  • Reject smoking.Smoking significantly increases the probability of developing lungs and heart disease.
  • Lose weight.
  • Drink less coffee, tea or other caffeine drinks, such as tail.The use of more than four coffee cups per day can increase its blood pressure.
  • Try to use relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and stress management (autogenic training).

The more healthy habits will dominate, the more positive effect it will have.In practice, some people find that by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they generally have the need to take medications.

Pharmacological treatment of hypertension

There is a wide selection of drugs that reduce pressure.It is possible that you should take more than one type of drug, because sometimes the treatment of hypertension needs a combination of several medications.

In some cases, it must take pressure by reducing pressure throughout your life.However, if your blood pressure level remains under control for several years, you will have the opportunity to stop medicinal treatment.Most high pressure medications can cause side effects, but this problem can be solved by replacing the medications taken.

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following common side effects to take drugs:

  • a feeling of sleepiness;
  • kidney pain (in the lower back);
  • hacking cough;
  • dizziness, exhaustion or lethargy;
  • Raw in the skin.

The most used medications for high pressure are shown below.

  1. Angiotensin reproductive enzyme inhibitors (APF)Reduce blood pressure, relaxing the walls of blood vessels.The most common side effect is a constant dry cough.If the side effects begin to bother too much, drugs such as angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists can recommend it, whose action is similar to the action of ECA inhibitors.

    ECA inhibitors can cause unforeseen side effects if taken together with other drugs, including drugs.Before taking any additional medication, consult a doctor if your combination of negative side effects will cause them.

  2. Calcium channel blockers(Calcium antagonists) Avoid calcium in muscle tissue cells and blood vessels.This leads to the expansion of its arteries (large blood vessels) and a decrease in blood pressure.

    The use of thirty juice when taking certain types of calcium channel blockers can increase the risk of side effects.In more detail, you can discuss this problem with your doctor.

  3. Diuretics(Diuretics) act due to the excretion of excess liquid and salt from the body.

  4. Beta blockers (beta blockers)They act by reducing the frequency and strength of cardiac contractions, thus reducing blood pressure.Previously, beta blockers were a popular drug for high pressure, but currently they are generally used only when other media do not have the required effect.This is due to the fact that beta blockers are considered less effective than other types of medicines for greater pressure.

    Beta blockers can also affect the effect of other medications, causing side effects.See your doctor before taking other drugs in combination with beta blockers.

    Do not stop taking beta blockers suddenly without consulting your doctor.This can lead to severe side effects, such as an increase in blood pressure or an angina pectoris attack.

  5. ALFA BLOCADORS (ALPHA-BLOQUERATORS)In general, they are not recommended as a first choice medication to reduce high blood pressure, except when other medications do not have the right effect.Alpha blockers act relaxing blood vessels, significantly facilitating blood flow within them.

    The common side effects of alpha blockers include:

    • fainting in the first drug administration ("first dose effect");
    • dizziness;
    • headache;
    • ankles swelling;
    • fatigue.

Complications of hypertension

The increase in blood pressure exerts an additional load in your heart and blood vessels.If hypertension is not treated, after a certain time the risk of developing heart attack, stroke and kidney diseases increases.

Cardiovascular diseases for hypertension

Hypertension can cause many different diseases of the heart and blood vessels and the vessels of the heart (cardiovascular diseases), which include:

  • stroke;
  • Myocardial infarction;
  • Embolia: It occurs when a blood clot or an air bubble blocks a blood flow in a glass;
  • Aneurysm: It develops when the wall of the blood vessel extends and can explode at any time, causing internal bleeding.

Kidney diseases and greater pressure

Hypertension can also cause damage to small blood vessels in the kidneys and harmed its function.This complication can cause symptoms such as:

  • fatigue;
  • ankles edema, feet or hands (due to the delay of water in the body);
  • dyspnoea;
  • the presence of blood in the urine;
  • Frequent urinating, especially at night;
  • Picaja for the skin.

Renal diseases are treated with drugs and food additives.The most serious cases require dialysis (the treatment procedure in which blood is artificially cleaned of toxic metabolism products in the body) or kidney transplantation.

Prevention of pressure increase

A healthy diet can prevent the development of hypertension, maintain normal weight, perform regular physical exercises, alcohol consumption restrictions and smoking.

Smoking itself does not cause high blood pressure, but significantly increases the risks of infarction and stroke.Smoking, like high blood pressure, leads to narrowing arteries.If he smokes in the presence of hypertension, their arteries will be reduced much faster and the risks of developing heart and pulmonary diseases in their future will increase significantly.

High pressure power supply

Reduce the amount of salt in your diet, eat many fruits and vegetables.Salt increases pressure.The more salt you consume, the greater your pressure.Try to eat less than 6 g of salt per day, which is approximately equal to a teaspoon.

As demonstrated, the use of food with low fat and a high fiber content (for example, integral rice, bread and pasta) and a large number of fruits and vegetables helps reduce blood pressure.Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers that support their body in a healthy state.Try to eat five portions of 80 g of fruits and vegetables every day.

Regular alcohol consumption is above the allowed standards over time will lead to an increase in blood pressure.Men are not recommended to use more than 2-4 alcohol portions per day regularly, and women more than 2-3.Regular use is understood every day or most days of the week.1 portion of alcohol corresponds approximately to a glass of vodka, half a glass of wine or half a cup of beer.

In addition, since alcohol is highly caloric, its regular use leads to weight gain and, consequently, to increase its blood pressure.

If you drink more than four cups of coffee per day, this can lead to an increase in pressure.If you are a big coffee fan, tea or other caffeine drinks (such as Coca-Cola and some energy drinks), consider the possibility of reducing its consumption.It is very good when you drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it is important that such drinks are not your only fluid source.

Weight and physical exercises for hypertension

Excessive weight forces the heart to work more intensely to pump blood throughout the body, which generally leads to an increase in blood pressure.If you really need to lose overweight, it is important to remember that the loss of even two or three kilograms of weight will lead to a significant change in the readings of your blood pressure and improve your general health.

An active lifestyle and a regular exercise lead to a decrease in blood pressure by keeping the heart and blood vessels in good condition.Regular exercise also helps you lose weight, which also helps reduce blood pressure.

An adult should be spent every week for at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) in moderate open air intensity, such as cycling or fast walking.When performing exercises, you must focus on the fact that you must feel heated and slightly breathless.A complete person, to achieve this state, can be a bit sufficiently in the hill.Physical activity can include a variety of exercises, from sports to walking and working in the garden.

Relaxation exercises can reduce blood pressure.They include:

  • Stress management (autogenic training), meditation or yoga.
  • Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, which focuses on how their thoughts and beliefs can affect their well-being and the ability to deal with problems.You can argue with your doctor the opportunity to undergo such psychotherapy.
  • Biological comments (the self -regulation method used to help you with the conscious regulation of blood pressure): in a small monitor, it will demonstrate beats or blood pressure in real time.Your doctor can carry out a reference for biological feedback.

What doctor contact hypertension?

If the pressure has increased, find a good therapist that can understand the causes of the disease and prescribe treatment.If you have heart complaints or there are chronic cardiovascular diseases, choose a cardiologist.