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% of it is treated effectively.
Hypertension, essential hypertension, arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension?
Previously, the term high blood pressure was used in our country. For some 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?
We can talk about arterial hypertension if your doctor notices an increase in blood pressure during at least 3 control blood pressure measurements.
Normally, pressure numbers can fluctuate depending on a person's condition: they increase during physical or psycho-emotional stress, and decrease during sleep. However, the pressure returns to normal numbers from 100/60 to 140/90.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
The main symptom of high blood pressure is headache. This is due to the narrowing and spasm of cerebral blood vessels. Common symptoms of high blood pressure include:
- Tinnitus
- Flying "flies" and a veil before the eyes
- General weakness
- Sleep disorder
- Dizziness
- A feeling of heaviness in the head
- Palpitation
Such symptoms appear in the early stages of hypertension and are neurotic in nature. In the later stages of high blood pressure, heart failure can occur due to the constant overload of the heart muscle due to high blood pressure.
Due to the progression of the disease process, visual acuity may decrease and cerebral blood vessels may be damaged due to high blood pressure, which can sometimes lead to paralysis and a decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs, which occurs due to vasospasm. , bleeding or thrombosis.
Causes of high blood pressure
If the cause of the increase in blood pressure is not established, it is called primary (essential) high blood pressure or essential hypertension. The following play a role in its design:
- Hereditary tendency
- Chronic stress
- Amount of salt consumed
- Low physical activity etc.
- In women, the cause of high blood pressure during menopause can be a period of restructuring of the body.
In all cases, the underlying cause is difficult to determine because most people diagnosed with high blood pressure have multiple risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
Up to 5% of arterial hypertension is secondary (symptomatic), i. e. caused by certain causes. Most often, kidney pathology, endocrine pathology or disorders of large blood vessels lead to increased blood pressure.
Examination of patients is aimed at excluding secondary causes of high blood pressure, as these causes can sometimes be eliminated or require special 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 retinal vessels. Such tests must be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
The degree of arterial hypertension and target organ damage determines the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Depending on the degree of risk, the treatment tactics are determined: from lifestyle changes, diet and weight loss to the immediate start of drug therapy.
It is important not only to check your blood pressure during a doctor's visit, but also on your own.
How to measure pressure?
How to measure blood pressure:
- Blood pressure should be measured at rest, after 5 minutes of rest, while sitting
- The cuff of the tonometer should be at the height of the heart, its lower edge 2 cm above the elbow
- Blood pressure should be measured every day and recorded in a blood pressure diary.
Treatment of high blood pressure
A blood pressure control program consists of lifestyle changes and drug therapy. Lifestyle changes include:
- Regular physical activity for up to 30 minutes a day
- Low calorie diet and weight loss
- Reducing salt intake
- Restriction of alcohol consumption
- Reducing the intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol-rich foods
- Increasing fruit consumption
- Stopping smoking
In case of high blood pressure, medication is prescribed immediately. Most patients need to take 2 or more medications.
Treatment of patients with arterial hypertension is carried out continuously, since its elimination leads to an increase in blood pressure again.