Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is spreading throughout the world. In our country, 40% of adults have high blood pressure, only 21% receive effective treatment.
Hypertension, essential hypertension, arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension?
Previously, the term hypertension was used in our country. For a long time, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the term arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension has been used.
What is high blood pressure?
You may be considered to have arterial hypertension if your doctor notes an increase in blood pressure in at least 3 controlled blood pressure measurements.
Normally, the pressure figure can fluctuate depending on a person's condition: increases with physical or psychological stress, decreases with sleep. However, the pressure will return to normal numbers from 100/60 to 140/90.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
The main symptom of hypertension is headache. This occurs due to the narrowing and spasm of blood vessels in the brain. There are also common symptoms of high blood pressure:
- Tinnitus
- Flies fly and a veil covers the eyes
- General weakness
- Sleep disorders
- dizzy
- Feeling of heaviness in the head
- Palpitations
Such symptoms occur in the early stages of hypertension and are neurological in nature. In the later stages of hypertension, heart failure can occur because the heart muscle is continuously overworked due to high blood pressure.
As the disease progresses, there may be decreased vision, damage to the blood vessels in the brain due to high blood pressure, and in some cases it can lead to paralysis and decreased sensitivity of the limbs, which occurs due to blood vessel spasm. , hemorrhage or thrombosis.
Causes of high blood pressure
If the cause of hypertension cannot be determined, they refer to primary (essential) hypertension, or essential hypertension. The following play a role in its development:
- Genetic predisposition
- Chronic stress
- Amount of salt consumed
- Low physical activity, etc. v.
- In women, the cause of high blood pressure may be due to the period of body restructuring during menopause.
The underlying cause is difficult to determine in any particular case because most people diagnosed with hypertension have multiple risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
Up to 5% of cases of arterial hypertension are secondary (symptomatic), meaning they are caused by certain causes. Usually, kidney disease, endocrine disease or abnormalities of large blood vessels lead to hypertension.
The patient's examination is aimed at excluding secondary causes of high blood pressure, as sometimes these causes can be eliminated or require specific treatment.
In addition, the examination clarifies changes in organs and systems caused by arterial hypertension itself. High blood pressure leads to changes in the heart, kidneys, brain vessels and fundus vessels. Such inspections must be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
The degree of arterial hypertension and target organ damage determine the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Depending on the level of risk, treatment tactics are determined: from lifestyle changes, diet and weight loss to the immediate initiation of drug therapy.
It's important to monitor your blood pressure not only when you see your doctor, but also on your own.
How to measure pressure?
How to measure blood pressure:
- Blood pressure should be measured at rest, after a 5-minute rest, and while sitting
- The cuff of the tonometer should be at the level of the heart, the lower edge 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 includes lifestyle changes and drug treatment. Changes to your lifestyle include:
- Get regular physical activity for up to 30 minutes a day
- Low-calorie diet and weight loss
- Reduce salt intake
- Limit alcohol intake
- Reduce intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol-rich foods
- Increase fruit consumption
- Quit smoking
Drug treatment is prescribed immediately if blood pressure levels are high. Most patients need to take 2 or more medications.
Treatment of patients with arterial hypertension is carried out continuously, since its cancellation will again lead to increased blood pressure.