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% is treated effectively.
Hypertension, essential hypertension, arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension?
Previously, the term hypertension was used in our country. For some time now, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the term arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension has been used.
What is hypertension?
You can be said to have arterial hypertension if an increase in blood pressure is registered by your doctor during at least 3 control blood pressure measurements.
Normally, pressure numbers can fluctuate depending on a person's condition: increase during physical or psycho-emotional stress, decrease during sleep. However, the pressure returned to normal numbers from 100/60 to 140/90.
Symptoms of hypertension
The main symptom of hypertension is headache. This happens because of narrowing and spasm of blood vessels in the brain. Also common symptoms of hypertension:
- Tinnitus
- Fly "fly" and veil in front of the eyes
- General weakness
- Sleep disturbances
- Dizziness
- Feeling heavy in the head
- pounding
Such symptoms occur in the early stages of hypertension and are neurotic in nature. In the late stages of hypertension, heart failure may occur due to the continuous overwork of the heart muscle due to high blood pressure.
Due to the development of the disease process, there may be a decrease in visual acuity, damage to the blood vessels in the brain due to high blood pressure, this in some cases can cause paralysis, a decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs, which occurs due to vascular spasm. , bleeding or thrombosis.
Causes of hypertension
If the cause of the increase in blood pressure is not established, they speak of primary (essential) hypertension, or essential hypertension. The following played a role in its development:
- Hereditary tendency
- Chronic stress
- Amount of salt used
- Low physical activity, etc.
- In women, the cause of hypertension may be the period of reorganization of the body during menopause.
The underlying cause is difficult to determine in any given case because most people diagnosed with hypertension are exposed to multiple risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
Up to 5% of arterial hypertension is secondary (symptomatic), that is, due to certain causes. Often, kidney pathology, endocrine pathology, or large vessel abnormalities lead to increased blood pressure.
Examination of the patient aims to exclude 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 periodically, at least once a year.
The degree of arterial hypertension and target organ damage determine the risk of 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 is important to monitor your blood pressure not only when visiting the 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, while sitting
- The cuff of the tonometer should be at heart level, its lower edge 2 cm above the elbow
- Blood pressure should be measured daily and recorded in a blood pressure diary.
Treatment of hypertension
Blood pressure control programs consist of lifestyle changes and drug therapy. Changing your lifestyle involves:
- Regular physical activity up to 30 minutes a day
- Low calorie diet and weight loss
- Reduce salt intake
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Reduce intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol-rich foods
- Increase fruit consumption
- Quit smoking
Drug therapy is prescribed immediately if the blood pressure level is high. Most patients need to take 2 or more medications.
Treatment of patients with arterial hypertension is carried out continuously, because its cancellation will again lead to an increase in blood pressure.