Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is widespread throughout the world. In our country, 40% of the adult population suffers from 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, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the term arterial hypertension or arterial hypertension has been used.
What is hypertension?
We can talk about arterial hypertension if the doctor records an increase in blood pressure during at least 3 blood pressure control measurements.
Normally, blood pressure values can vary depending on a person's conditions: 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 occurs due to narrowing and spasm of blood vessels in the brain. Also common symptoms of hypertension:
- Tinnitus
- Flying "flies" and a veil before the eyes
- General weakness
- Sleep disorder
- Dizziness
- Feeling of heaviness in the head
- Palpitations
Such symptoms occur at an early stage of hypertension and are neurotic in nature. In advanced stages of hypertension, heart failure may occur due to constant overwork of the heart muscle due to high blood pressure.
Due to the progression of the pathological process, a decrease in visual acuity may occur, damage to blood vessels in the brain due to high blood pressure, this can in some cases lead to paralysis, decreased sensitivity of the limbs, which occurs due to of 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. They play a role in its development:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Chronic stress
- Amount of salt consumed
- Lack of 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 any case given that most people diagnosed with hypertension are exposed to multiple risk factors that contribute to hypertension.
Up to 5% of arterial hypertension is secondary (symptomatic), that is, caused by certain causes. Very often, kidney pathologies, endocrine pathologies or anomalies of large vessels lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Examination of patients is aimed at excluding secondary causes of hypertension, since sometimes these causes can be eliminated or require specific treatment.
Furthermore, the test clarifies the alterations of organs and systems caused by arterial hypertension itself. High blood pressure leads to changes in the heart, kidneys, cerebral vessels and fundus vessels. This examination must be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
The level of arterial hypertension and target organ damage determine the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Depending on the degree of risk, treatment tactics are determined: from lifestyle changes, diet and weight loss to the immediate start of drug therapy.
It is important to monitor blood pressure not only when visiting a doctor, but also on your own.
How to measure blood pressure?
How to measure blood pressure:
- Blood pressure should be measured at rest, after a 5 minute rest, while sitting
- The tonometer cuff should be at heart level, with the bottom 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 consists 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
- Stop 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, since its cancellation will again lead to an increase in blood pressure.