Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is widespread throughout the world. In our country, 40% of the adult population has high blood pressure, and only 21% are treated effectively.
Hypertension, essential hypertension, arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension?
Earlier, the term hypertension was used in our country. For some time, in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the term arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension has been used.
What is hypertension?
It can be said that you have arterial hypertension if your doctor registers an increase in blood pressure in at least 3 control blood pressure measurements.
Usually, pressure values can vary depending on the state of the person: increase during physical or psycho-emotional stress, decrease during sleep. However, the pressure returns to normal values of 100/60 to 140/90.
Symptoms of hypertension
The main symptom of hypertension is headache. This happens due to narrowing and spasm of the blood vessels in the brain. Also common symptoms of hypertension:
- Tinnitus
- Flying "flies" and a veil before the eyes
- General weakness
- Sleep disturbance
- Dizziness
- A feeling of heaviness in the head
- heartbeat
Such symptoms appear in the early stage of hypertension and have a neurotic character. In the later stages of hypertension, heart failure can occur due to constant overload 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 blood vessels in the brain from high blood pressure, this in some cases can lead to paralysis, reduced sensitivity of the limbs, which is due to vasospasm, hemorrhage or thrombosis.
Causes of hypertension
If the cause of the increase in blood pressure is not established, it is called primary (essential) hypertension or essential hypertension. The following plays a role in its development:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Chronic stress
- Amount of salt consumed
- Low physical activity, etc.
- In women, the cause of hypertension may be the period of restructuring of the body during menopause.
The underlying cause is difficult to determine in every individual case because most people diagnosed with hypertension have multiple risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
Up to 5% of arterial hypertension is secondary (symptomatic), that is, caused by certain causes. Most often, kidney pathology, endocrine pathology or anomalies of the large vessels lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Examination of patients is aimed at excluding secondary causes of high blood pressure, as sometimes these causes can be eliminated or require specific treatment.
In addition, the study clarifies the changes in organs and systems caused by arterial hypertension itself. High blood pressure leads to changes in the heart, kidneys, cerebral vessels and fundus vessels. Such an examination should be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
The level of arterial hypertension and damage to target organs determines the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Depending on the degree of risk, treatment tactics are determined: from lifestyle changes, diet and weight loss to immediate initiation of drug therapy.
It is important to monitor your blood pressure not only when visiting a doctor, but also on your own.
How to measure pressure?
How blood pressure is measured:
- Blood pressure should be measured at rest, after a 5-minute rest, in a sitting position
- The cuff of the tonometer should be at the level of the heart, its 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
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Reducing the intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol-rich foods
- Increase fruit consumption
- Quitting smoking
Drug therapy is prescribed immediately if the blood pressure level is high. Most patients need to take 2 or more drugs.
Treatment of patients with arterial hypertension is carried out continuously, since its cancellation will again lead to an increase in blood pressure.