An increase in pressure beyond the age norm is rightly called arterial hypertension.
High blood pressure is diagnosed if the pressure rises frequently or for a prolonged period of time and the cause cannot be determined during the examination. If a person has any medical condition that causes increased stress (eg, past traumatic brain injury, kidney disease, etc. ) then they would say secondary arterial hypertension. In layman's terms, however, all cases of hypertension are commonly referred to as hypertension.
Hypertension is called the "silent killer" because it doesn't always have obvious symptoms, especially in the initial stages. High blood pressure has been identified in 20-30% of adults, although many have long been unaware of their disease. If high blood pressure is not treated, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases. The only way to find out if something is wrong is
Measure blood pressure regularly.
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of blood vessels and the heart. With high blood pressure, blood pressure in the arteries and heart can become too high, causing premature wear on 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 blood pressure - the blood pressure when the heart contracts and pushes blood into the arteries;
- Diastolic blood pressure is the blood pressure at which the heart muscle relaxes between contractions.
For example, if your doctor says your blood pressure is "140 over 90, " that means your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg. Art and Diastolic Blood Pressure - 90 mmHg. Art.
Optimal blood pressure in adults is considered to be less than 120/80 mm Hg. Art. However, numbers up to 139/89 (inclusive) are within the normal range. If your pressure is above 140/90 (inclusive) based on multiple measurements, you have arterial hypertension that requires additional testing and possibly treatment.
Symptoms of arterial hypertension (hypertension)
Increased blood pressure is not always accompanied by changes in well-being. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to take your blood pressure. Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
If you're pregnant, be sure to check your blood pressure regularly, even if it's not high. Blood pressure monitoring 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 provides blood circulation to the unborn baby).
Sometimes symptoms of high blood pressure are:
- Headache;
- dimmed or double vision;
- nosebleeds;
- Difficulty breathing.
This sign appears in people who are very stressed. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious illness, including stroke and heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms or high blood pressure, make an appointment with your doctor right away. 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. High blood pressure is then called primary or primary. Factors that may increase the risk of developing essential hypertension include:
- Age: The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age;
- have a case of high blood pressure in your family (the disease may be hereditary);
- Too much salt in the diet;
- lack of exercise;
- completeness;
- smokes;
- Abuse of alcohol;
- pressure.
Known cause of high blood pressure
About 10% of high blood pressure cases are caused by a specific disease or cause. These cases are called secondary hypertension. Typical causes of increased stress in this situation are:
- kidney disease;
- diabetes;
- narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys;
- hormonal imbalances, such as Cushing's syndrome (a condition in which the body produces too much steroid hormones);
- diseases that affect the connective tissues of the body, such as systemic lupus erythematosus;
- birth control pills (oral contraceptives);
- pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
- club drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamine;
- Some herbs, herbal supplements.
Diagnosis of high blood pressure
To diagnose arterial hypertension and determine its possible causes, first, they turned to systematic blood pressure measurements. This can be done by a healthcare professional or yourself using a home stress monitor.
Healthy people over the age of 40 should have their blood pressure measured at least every five years. If you are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure checked more frequently, preferably once a year.
Blood pressure checks are usually easy to perform in most clinics and hospitals. Blood pressure is usually measured using a sphygmomanometer (manometer), which consists of a stethoscope, cuff, measuring device, blower, and valve.
The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated to restrict blood flow in the artery. The cuff is then slowly deflated while listening to the pulse with a stethoscope. Listening to your pulse under the deflated cuff can reliably read your blood pressure. Additionally, automatic (digital) blood pressure monitors are now commonplace, which use electronic sensors to measure pressure and pulse.
You should rest and empty your bladder for at least five minutes before starting your blood pressure measurement. To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you will need to sit and not talk during the procedure.
If one of these measurements shows high blood pressure, it doesn't necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. During the day, blood pressure levels may fluctuate. Stress can rise during doctor visits due to anxiety and stress. In these cases, it is recommended that you measure daytime pressure yourself using a home tonometer. By eliminating the "white coat fear", a more objective indicator can be obtained.
You may also have blood and urine tests to check for conditions that increase your risk of high blood pressure, such as kidney disease.
Interpreting tonometer readings
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded in two ranges:
- Systolic blood pressure - the blood pressure when the heart contracts and pushes blood into the arteries;
- Diastolic blood pressure is the blood pressure at which the heart muscle relaxes between contractions.
For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg. Art, diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg. Art. , then they say your pressure is 140 over 90.
Ideally, blood pressure should be below 120/80. However, readings below 140/90 are generally considered normal. If you have kidney disease, diabetes or heart or circulatory disease, your target blood pressure should be less than 130/80 mmHg. Art.
If your pressure readings are above 140/90 for several days, you have arterial hypertension and need further investigation.
high blood pressure treatment
Effective measures to lower blood pressure levels include lifestyle changes and medication. The choice of treatment option will depend on your blood pressure level and risk of cardiovascular disease.
If your blood pressure is slightly above 130/80 mmHg. Art, and at the same time you have a low risk of cardiovascular disease, then you should only be able to reduce stress through lifestyle changes.
If your blood pressure is moderately high (140/90 mmHg or higher) and you are at risk for heart disease within the next 10 years, treatment will include medication and lifestyle changes.
If your blood pressure is very high (180/110 mmHg or higher), you will need treatment soon and may need additional tests depending on your health.
high blood pressure lifestyle
Here are some ways you can make lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure. Some of these will lead to rapid improvement within a few weeks, others will take effect over a longer period of time.
- Reduce salt intake to less than 6 grams per day.
- Eat healthy, low-fat, well-balanced foods that include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay Active: Staying physically active is one of the keys to preventing or managing high blood pressure.
- Reduce your alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking. Smoking greatly increases your chances of developing lung and heart disease.
- lose weight.
- Cut back on 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 such as yoga, meditation, and stress management (self-training).
The more healthy habits you develop, the more positive effects it will have. In practice, some people find that by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they don't need to take medication at all.
Hypertension drug treatment
There are a variety of blood pressure medications to choose from. You may need to take more than one drug, because sometimes more than one drug is needed to treat high blood pressure.
In some cases, you will need to take blood pressure medication for life. However, if your blood pressure remains under control for a few years, you may be able to stop the medication. Most high blood pressure medications can cause side effects, but this problem can be resolved by changing the medications you take.
Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following common drug side effects:
- feel sleepy;
- pain in the kidney area (lumbar area);
- dry cough;
- dizziness, tiredness, or drowsiness;
- rash.
The following are the most commonly used drugs 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 a persistent dry cough. If side effects start to bother you, you may be advised to take drugs such as angiotensin-2 receptor blockers, which 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 starting any other medicines, check with your doctor to see if this combination can cause negative side effects.
calcium channel blockers(calcium antagonists) prevent calcium from entering the muscle tissue cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes your arteries (large blood vessels) to dilate and lower blood pressure.
Drinking grapefruit juice while taking certain types of calcium channel blockers may increase your risk of side effects. For more information, you can discuss this with your doctor.
diuretics(Diuretics) Work by removing excess fluid and salt from the body from the urine.
beta-blockers (beta-blockers)Works by reducing the speed and force with which the heart contracts, thereby lowering blood pressure. Beta-blockers used to be a popular drug for high blood pressure, but now they're usually only used when other drugs don't work. This is because beta blockers are considered less effective than other types of high blood pressure drugs.
Also, beta-blockers can interfere with other medications, causing side effects. Talk to your doctor before using other medicines with beta-blockers.
Do not stop taking beta-blockers suddenly without consulting your doctor. This can lead to serious side effects, such as high blood pressure or angina.
Alpha blockers (alpha blockers)It is generally not recommended as a first choice for high blood pressure unless other medications do not work. Alpha-blockers work by relaxing blood vessels, greatly increasing blood flow within the blood vessels.
Common side effects of alpha blockers include:
- Fainting at the first dose of the drug ("Effect of the first dose");
- Dizziness;
- Headache;
- swollen ankle;
- fatigue.
Complications of high blood pressure
High blood pressure puts extra stress on your heart and blood vessels. If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease over time.
Cardiovascular disease in hypertension
High blood pressure can lead to many different heart and cardiovascular diseases (cardiovascular diseases), including:
- stroke;
- myocardial infarction;
- Embolism: Occurs when a clot or air bubble blocks blood flow in a blood vessel;
- Aneurysm: Develops when the wall of a blood vessel stretches and may rupture at any time, causing internal bleeding.
Kidney disease and high blood pressure
High blood pressure also damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys and impairs their function. This complication causes the following symptoms:
- fatigue;
- swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands (due to water retention in the body);
- Difficulty breathing;
- blood in the urine;
- frequent urination, especially at night;
- Itchy skin.
Kidney disease is treated with medication and nutritional supplements. More severe cases require dialysis (a medical procedure to artificially remove toxic metabolites from the body) or a kidney transplant.
prevent high blood pressure
High blood pressure can be prevented by eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
Smoking itself does not cause high blood pressure, but it significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Smoking, like high blood pressure, can cause arteries to narrow. If you smoke while you have high blood pressure, your arteries narrow more quickly and your risk of heart and lung disease in the future increases significantly.
High voltage power supply
Reduce salt in your diet and eat more fruits and vegetables. Salt can raise blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. Aim to eat less than 6 grams of salt a day, which is about the equivalent of a teaspoon.
Eating low-fat, high-fiber foods (such as whole-grain rice, bread, and pasta) and plenty of fruits and vegetables has been shown to help lower blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber that keep you healthy. Aim to eat five 80-gram servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Regularly drinking more than the legal limit can cause blood pressure to rise over time. Regularly drinking more than 2-4 drinks per day is not recommended for men and 2-3 drinks per day for women. Regular use means every day or most of the week. 1 serving of alcohol is roughly equivalent to a glass of vodka, half a glass of wine, or half a glass of beer.
Also, because alcohol is high in calories, regular drinking can lead to weight gain, which can lead to higher 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 drinking less. It's great when you drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it's important that these beverages aren't your only source of fluids.
Weight and exercise for high blood pressure
Being overweight forces the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, which often leads to higher blood pressure. If you do need to lose weight, it's important to remember that losing even 2 to 3 kilograms can significantly alter your blood pressure readings and improve your overall health.
An active lifestyle and regular exercise can lower blood pressure by keeping the heart and blood vessels in good shape. Regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which can also help lower your blood pressure.
Adults should spend at least 150 minutes per week (2 hours 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity outdoor activity, such as biking or brisk walking. When exercising, you should be guided by the fact that you should feel warm and slightly out of breath. For a satiated person, to achieve this state, a little uphill may suffice. Physical activity can include a variety of exercises, from exercise to walking and gardening.
Relaxation exercise can lower blood pressure. They include:
- Stress management (self-training), meditation or yoga.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on how your thoughts and beliefs affect your well-being and ability to cope with problems. You can discuss your possibility of receiving this type of psychotherapy with your doctor.
- Biofeedback (a self-regulation method used to help you consciously control your blood pressure): A small display shows your heart rate or blood pressure in real time. Your doctor can recommend biofeedback.
Which doctor should I contact for high blood pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, find a good therapist who can understand the cause and prescribe treatment. If you have heart disease or chronic cardiovascular disease, choose a cardiologist.