What is hypertension and how to treat it. What causes hypertension

Hypertension (hypertonic disease) is a serious chronic disease, which is characterized by a persistent increase blood pressure. A number of practicing physicians call hypertension nothing more than an "invisible killer", since this diagnosis is often made by resuscitators, and in asymptomatic cases - only by a pathologist.

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The danger of hypertension

A person does not always suspect that he has this pathology, since many clinical manifestations hypertension have an obvious resemblance to the symptoms of ordinary overwork. The disease very often leads to the development of severe complications, including life-threatening conditions. In particular, if it was previously believed that atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels lead to myocardial infarction and hemorrhagic strokes, now it has been established that only the presence of hypertension is sufficient for the development of these conditions.

Arterial hypertension, like a number of other chronic diseases, cannot be completely cured, but its development can be prevented. Even with an already diagnosed diagnosis, adequate therapeutic measures can minimize the manifestations of hypertension, greatly improving the patient's quality of life.

note: the risk of complications almost directly depends on the age of the patient. If hypertension is diagnosed in a young person, then the prognosis is less favorable than in patients of the middle age group.

To "catch" the disease at an early stage, when the changes are reversible, you need to regularly measure blood pressure. If in the course of periodic measurements figures that exceed normal values ​​are often detected, correction of blood pressure is necessary.

Normal numbers are:

• for people aged 16-20 - 100/70 - 120/80 mm. rt. Art.;
• at 20-40 years old - 120/70 - 130/80;
• 40-60 - no higher than 135/85;
• 60 years or more - no higher than 140/90.

Symptoms of hypertension

The latent course of hypertension or the initial stage of the disease can be suspected if:

• unmotivated feeling of anxiety;
• hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating);
• chilliness;
• hyperemia (redness) of the skin of the facial area;
• small spots before the eyes;
• memory impairment;
• low performance;
• irritability for no reason;
• and faces in the morning;
• palpitations at rest;
• numbness of fingers.

These symptoms may occur regularly or occur rarely. It is impossible not to attach importance to them, since the disease is very insidious. These clinical manifestations require an urgent change in lifestyle, since a correction that is not carried out in a timely manner leads to a fairly rapid progression of the disease. As the pathology develops, the list of permanent symptoms of hypertension expands. Added violation of coordination of movements, a drop in visual acuity.

Note: even having only a few characteristic symptoms from the above list is grounds for an immediate visit to the doctor. Especially carefully you need to listen to your body if there are certain risk factors for hypertension. Self-medication is dangerous; Uncontrolled intake of drugs can only worsen the situation.

Etiology and pathogenesis of hypertension

The onset of hypertension is due to certain disorders in the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system, which are responsible for vascular tone.

Important:in men from 35 to 50 years and in women in menopause, the likelihood of developing hypertension increases.

One of the most important risk factors for hypertension is a family history. In patients with a hereditary predisposition, increased permeability of cell membranes is revealed.

External factors provoking the development of the disease include strong and frequent psycho-emotional (nervous shocks, difficult experiences). They cause the release of adrenaline, which increases cardiac output and increases the frequency of myocardial contractions. In combination with aggravated heredity, this often ensures the appearance of hypertension.

The immediate causes leading to hypertension include:

• violations of the functions of the nervous system;
• violations of ion exchange at the cellular and tissue level (increased levels of sodium and potassium ions);
• metabolic disorders;
• atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

Important:in overweight people, the risk of developing hypertension is 3-4 times higher than in the rest.

The risk of hypertension increases significantly with alcohol abuse, nicotine addiction, and the consumption of large amounts of table salt and hypodynamia.

Periodic increase in blood pressure causes the heart to function with increased load, which leads to myocardial hypertrophy, and subsequently to wear of the heart muscle. As a result, chronic heart failure (CHF) develops, and malnutrition of organs and tissues leads to serious consequences and the development of a number of concomitant diseases. High pressure causes thickening of the vascular walls and narrowing of the lumen of the vessel itself. Gradually, the walls become brittle, which greatly increases the risk of hemorrhages (including the development of hemorrhagic strokes). permanent spasm blood vessels maintains high blood pressure, closing this circle of disorders.

note: Normal fluctuations in blood pressure during the day do not exceed 10 units. In hypertensive patients, the numbers can differ by 50 mm. rt. Art. and more.

Hypertension may result from taking certain pharmacological agents(FS).

With extreme caution, you need to take FS of the following groups:

• glucocorticoids;
• dietary supplements for appetite suppression;
• some anti-inflammatory drugs (in particular, indomethacin).

Hypertension vs Hypertension: What's the Difference?

Hypertension refers to a rise in blood pressure above 140/90. We can say that hypertension and hypertension are almost identical concepts. But hypertension is a disease, and hypertension is one of its symptoms. In about one in ten patients, abnormally high blood pressure is a manifestation of another pathology.

There are the following types of symptomatic hypertension:

• hemodynamic;
• renal;
• endocrine;
• renovascular.

Classification of hypertension

To select the optimal treatment tactics, it is first necessary to determine the type of this pathology.

According to etiology, it is customary to distinguish:

• primary hypertension(it is also called idiopathic or essential);
• symptomatic hypertension(against the background of other pathologies or taking certain drugs).

According to the nature of the course, hypertension is divided into:

• benign(gradually progressive form, including 3 stages);
• malignant(severe, usually of endocrine etiology).

The benign form, which is diagnosed in most cases, is characterized by gradual development with damage to certain organs.

The malignant form is relatively rare, and can be detected even in childhood. It is characterized by consistently high blood pressure and severe complications. Often develop decompensated heart failure, hypertensive encephalopathy and a sharp violation of the functional activity of the kidneys.

According to the degree of increase in blood pressure, there are:

• mild hypertension(blood pressure is not higher than 140/90, medication is usually not required);
• moderate form(1-2 stages, pressure up to 180/110 mm Hg);
• severe hypertension(stage 3 or malignant form).

note: The terms "mild" and "severe" speak only about the numbers of blood pressure, but not about the general condition.

Experts distinguish three stages of hypertension in a benign course:

• 1st (preclinical) stage of hypertension. May experience moderate headaches and not very bright pronounced violations sleep. Blood pressure does not rise above 140-160 / 95-100 and decreases after a good rest.
• 2nd stage hypertension. There is a narrowing of the arteries and hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart. Blood pressure is higher and stable, and at rest the numbers reach 160-180 / 100-110 mm. rt. Art. In a laboratory study, analyzes reveal an increase in the level of creatinine in the blood and protein in the urine.
• 3rd stage hypertension. Angina pectoris, impaired cerebral blood flow, hemorrhages in the fundus, dissection of the aortic walls develop. Especially high in this case is the risk of developing heart attacks, strokes and loss of vision.

Note:some patients may experience the so-called. white coat hypertension. With it, symptoms appear only in the presence of medical workers.

A special form of pathology are. This is an extreme manifestation of the disease, which is characterized by a sharp increase in blood pressure to critical levels. A serious condition with intense headache, nausea and vomiting can persist for up to a day. Due to impaired cerebral blood flow, increased intracranial pressure. Depending on the mechanism of increasing blood pressure, eukinetic, as well as hypo- and hyperkinetic crises are distinguished.

Important: in a hypertensive crisis, it is important to provide the patient with first aid and urgently call an ambulance.

Hypertension can be isolated systolic or diastolic. With this form, there is an increase in only the "upper" or only "lower" digits of blood pressure.

Refractory hypertension is usually understood as a form of the disease in which therapy with the use of three or more pharmacological agents is ineffective.

Treatment of hypertension

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Therapeutic measures for hypertension can include both drug and non-drug methods, as well as traditional medicine.

Medicines indicated for hypertension

Drugs are prescribed if not drug therapy 1st degree of the disease does not give a positive effect within 3-4 months or the 2nd stage of the development of the disease is diagnosed. Monotherapy is indicated (i.e., the use of one PS). The "first line" agent does not affect the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates, does not lead to fluid retention, does not disturb the electrolyte balance, does not have a depressant effect on the central nervous system and does not provoke a sharp increase in blood pressure after withdrawal.

At stages 2-3, combinations of β-blockers with calcium antagonists, diuretics or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may be indicated. It is also possible to combine ACE inhibitors with diuretics or calcium antagonists.

In severe hypertension, combinations of 3-4 drugs belonging to the groups mentioned above, as well as α-blockers, are sometimes prescribed.

Treatment of hypertension with folk remedies

Non-drug therapy

Non-drug methods of treatment are shown at 1 degree. With hypertension, it is important to avoid bad habits, follow a diet with a limited content of sodium chloride (salt) and animal fats. alternative pharmacological preparations can be acupuncture therapy, acupuncture, auto-training and massage. Patients are advised to strictly adhere to the regimen, take drugs with antioxidant activity and general strengthening phytopreparations.

Helps with hypertension gymnastics. Regular dosed physical activity contributes to the development of a pronounced antihypertensive effect. Exercises should be performed daily for 30 minutes, increasing the load gradually.

Remember that if you have been diagnosed with hypertension, then with a sharp deterioration general condition you need to immediately call a doctor at home! Before his visit, it is better to take a semi-sitting position, take a hot foot bath or put mustard plasters on the calves of the legs, take Valocordin (30-35 drops) and your “usual” medicine to lower blood pressure. For pain behind the sternum, you need to put a capsule of Nitroglycerin under the tongue, and for severe headaches, take a diuretic.

People living with high blood pressure do not always know exactly what their disease is called. Hypertension and hypertension, the differences between which many do not see, are often mistaken for the same disease. In fact, both conditions are characterized by an increase in blood pressure and have similar symptoms, but there is still a difference between these disorders.

Arterial hypertension, hypertension is a pathology in which jumps in blood pressure (BP) occur from time to time. The disease is accompanied by a number of specific symptoms and related disorders. Hypertension is an independent pathology, most often age-related.

Arterial hypertension is also a condition characterized by an increase in blood pressure. It would seem that there is no difference in terms, except for sound, but this is not entirely true.

The only difference between hypertension and hypertension is the peculiarities of the course. While hypertension is an independent disease, arterial hypertension is a symptom of some pathological condition, which manifests itself precisely in a persistent increase in pressure.

Thus, it is possible to say that this is the same thing only in the case of a hypertensive crisis. The crisis itself is characterized by a steady increase in blood pressure (hypertension) and is due to hypertension.

The process of development of these conditions will help to understand the differences between hypertension and hypertension in more detail.

Arterial hypertension is the main symptom of hypertension

Features of hypertension

A disease accompanied by a deviation of blood pressure from the norm upwards is hypertension. The disease is diagnosed in patients older than 40-50 years, since the pathology develops over the years. In total, there are three stages of the disease - mild, moderate and severe. At the initial stage, the pressure is in the range of 140 to 100, with periodic jumps of 10 points. The second stage is a pressure within 160 to 120.

As a rule, the first two stages of hypertension are not treated with medication. The patient is shown a diet, normalization of the daily routine and periodic examinations by a cardiologist. At a young age, the symptoms of hypertension are usually the result of systemic diseases or pathologies. internal organs. The third stage of the disease is an increase in pressure over 180 mm Hg.

The very fact of an increase in pressure is called arterial hypertension, acting as the main specific symptom of hypertension.

Other symptoms of hypertension:

• increased vascular tone;
• increased muscle tone;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• dyspnea.

In addition, there are a number of specific signs that characterize the patient's well-being with a rapid increase in blood pressure - these are tachycardia, chest pain, panic attack, profuse sweating.

Hypertension is a dangerous risk of target organ damage. A prolonged increase in blood pressure over time leads to pathologies of the kidneys, heart and brain.

Permanent high blood pressure leads to irreversible changes in target organs

Hypertension is a disease that is characterized by specific symptoms, and which poses a danger to the functioning of the whole organism as a whole. Getting rid of hypertension forever is almost impossible. In most cases, the pathology is caused by age-related changes and the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels (atherosclerosis). To normalize the patient's well-being, antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulants, vitamin group preparations are used to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve their tone.

Today, hypertension is one of the most common causes of disability among people over 50 years of age. First of all, this is due to the rhythm of life in a modern city. It is impossible to single out exactly one reason why the disease develops. Pathology is a consequence of the action of a combination of factors, including:

• stress;
• abuse of caffeine;
• smoking and alcohol abuse;
• improper nutrition.

Stress poses a serious threat to the health of the whole body. It is this condition that is one of the most important prerequisites for the development of hypertension. As statistics show, the classic features of hypertension are irascibility, irritability, and increased emotionality. Even such reactions indicate a malfunction of the nervous system due to the long-term destructive effects of stress.

Stress is considered one of the main causes of hypertension.

Along with stress, another cause of hypertension is the loss of vascular elasticity. In addition to natural aging, a violation of the permeability of the walls of blood vessels and a decrease in elasticity is due to a lack of vitamins, malnutrition and bad habits.

Interestingly, according to statistics, residents of large cities suffer from hypertension 4 times more often than people in small towns and villages.

Arterial hypertension

Describing the patient's complaints with hypertension, doctors often use the term "arterial hypertension". In this case, hypertension can be included in the symptoms of hypertension.

Thus, hypertension and hypertension are not the same thing. Hypertension is a disease, an accurate diagnosis, and hypertension is a condition or a symptom.

Arterial hypertension characterizes the patient's condition only at the time of pressure measurement. If the tonometer here and now shows a value above 140/100, doctors talk about arterial hypertension. At the same time, if the pressure was measured for six months, and from time to time there were steady increases in blood pressure values, they speak of hypertension as a condition that is accompanied by constant deviations from the norm.

In addition, hypertension differs from hypertension in that it can be a symptom of other pathologies. Among the diseases accompanied by hypertension:

• acute kidney failure;
• pathology thyroid gland;
• heart failure;
• violation of cerebral circulation;
• encephalopathy.

Arterial hypertension can be a symptom not only of hypertension, but also of other diseases and conditions.

Hypertension can occur during pregnancy and when women take oral contraceptives. In this case, we are talking about a symptom that is associated with other disorders, but is not a consequence of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. vascular system.

With an increase in thyroid hormone production, blood pressure rises. In this case, we are also talking about hypertension as a symptom, and not hypertension as a diagnosis. This is due to the fact that the main disease, and hence the diagnosis, in this case is hyperthyroidism, which entails a violation of vascular tone due to increased hormone production.

Another difference is that hypertension against the background of pathologies of the internal organs does not always require treatment, acting only as a symptom, but not as an independent disease.

Having understood the difference between a disease and a symptom, you should understand when you need to see a doctor to treat hypertension.

Hypertension and hypertension, being a disease and its symptom, are treated differently.

The treatment of hypertension includes a complete change in lifestyle: giving up bad habits, a balanced diet, combating stress and normalizing the daily routine. In addition, the patient is shown taking a number of drugs that normalize blood pressure, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and protect target organs. A person with hypertension lives at constant risk of developing complications. A hypertensive crisis in some cases can be fatal.

Hypertension is treated by a cardiologist. At the same time, it is impossible to get rid of the disease forever. Therapeutic measures are aimed at normalizing blood pressure and reducing the risk of disruption of the internal organs.

Hypertension, as a symptom, often does not require specific treatment. In episodic hypertension, the patient is shown a single dose of an antihypertensive drug. Medicines are not taken in courses on an ongoing basis, as with hypertension.

In hypertension, medications are taken only when necessary; in hypertension, constant medication is required

In most cases, arterial hypertension is not treated at all. The therapy of the underlying disease, which served as an impetus for an increase in pressure, is used. If hypertension is a consequence of kidney failure, a nephrologist is involved in the treatment of the problem. With an increase in pressure against the background of hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist. To normalize the production of thyroid hormones, diet therapy and drug treatment are used. Arterial hypertension in this case goes away on its own after the restoration of the endocrine system.

Why is hypertension dangerous?

A sudden increase in blood pressure to critical values ​​\u200b\u200bis a hypertensive crisis. The condition is dangerous risk of developing myocardial infarction. As a rule, every hypertensive patient knows how to stop the crisis on their own and prevent dangerous complications. A person who first encountered hypertension should call a doctor if his condition worsens against the background of an increase in blood pressure.

The prolonged course of hypertension leads to disruption of the kidneys. Hypertension is often accompanied by renal failure in older age. The disease leads to pathologies of the brain, due to circulatory disorders, and in case of an unfavorable course, it can lead to a stroke.

Despite the impossibility of a complete cure for hypertension, timely drug therapy will avoid negative consequences and preserve the patient's ability to work for a long time. It is important not to try to be treated on your own, but to trust a qualified cardiologist.

Essential hypertension (hypertension)- This is a disease, the main symptom of which is an increase in blood pressure due to neuro-functional disorders of vascular tone. Men and women are equally affected by hypertension. Usually the disease begins after 40 years. This is a very common pathology. It is called the disease of the autumn of life, although in recent decades, hypertension has become much younger.

Hypertension- one of the causes of disability and mortality in patients with disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Causes and risk factors

One of the reasons - prolonged and frequent neuropsychic stress, prolonged stress.

Very often, hypertension occurs in people whose work is associated with constant emotional stress. Often it affects people who have suffered a concussion.

The second reason is hereditary predisposition. Usually, patients with a survey can reveal the presence of relatives with the same disease.

One of the important causes of hypertension is hypodynamia.

Age-related restructuring in the body (in particular, the central nervous system) also affects the appearance and development of the symptoms of this disease. The high frequency of hypertension (hypertension) among the elderly is due to changes in blood vessels due to the addition of atherosclerosis. There is a certain relationship between these diseases. GB contributes to the increased development and progression of atherosclerosis. This combination is dangerous because with a strong vasospasm, the blood flow to the organs (to the brain, heart, kidneys) is insufficient. With excessive spasm and the presence of plaques on the walls of blood vessels, blood can stop circulating through the artery. In this case, a stroke or myocardial infarction occurs.

In women, GB often begins during menopause.

Also of some importance are excessive consumption of table salt (namely, sodium, which is part of this salt), smoking, alcohol abuse, overweight, which increases the load on the cardiovascular system.

The main links in the occurrence of GB are:

• violation of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system;
• overproduction of substances that increase blood pressure. One of them is the stress hormone adrenaline. In addition, renal factor is also isolated. The kidneys produce substances that can raise and lower blood pressure. Therefore, when signs of GB appear, the patient needs to check the functioning of the kidneys;
• contraction and spasm of the arteries.

What is blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)

Pressure should be measured at rest - physical and emotional.

Upper (systolic) pressure corresponds to the moment of contraction of the heart muscle, and inferior (diastolic)- the moment of relaxation of the heart.

In young healthy people, normal blood pressure is defined as 110/70-120/80 mm Hg. Art. But, given the dependence of blood pressure figures on age, individual characteristics, fitness, we can name the boundaries of 125/65-80 mm Hg. Art. in men and 110-120 / 60-75 mm Hg. Art. among women.

With age, blood pressure increases, for middle-aged people, normal numbers are close to 140/90 mm Hg. Art.

How to measure blood pressure correctly

It is measured by a special device - tonometer which can be bought at a pharmacy. Pressure is measured after 5 minutes of rest. It is recommended to measure it three times and consider the final result of the last measurement. The interval between measurements should be at least 3 minutes. Healthy people you can measure the pressure 1 time in several months. Patients with GB need to measure blood pressure at least once a day.

Symptoms of hypertension

Headache is one of the most common manifestations of high blood pressure. This symptom is caused by spasm of cerebral vessels. In this case, tinnitus, flickering of "flies" before the eyes, blurred vision, weakness, decreased performance, insomnia, dizziness, heaviness in the head, and palpitations often occur. These complaints in the early stages of the development of the disease are neurotic in nature.

The main symptom is an increase in blood pressure up to 140-160/90 mm Hg. Art. According to modern ideas about hypertension, one can speak if the pressure during the year rose twice to 140/90 mm Hg. Art. or at least once exceeded this mark. When examining a patient, heart murmurs, rhythm disturbances, expansion of the borders of the heart to the left are detected.

In the later stages, heart failure may occur due to overwork of the heart muscle due to increased pressure.

With the progression of the process, there is a decrease in visual acuity. During the examination of the patient's fundus, his pallor, narrowing and tortuosity of the arteries, slight dilation of the veins, and sometimes hemorrhages in the retina are noted. When cerebral vessels are damaged under the influence of increased blood pressure, cerebrovascular accidents can occur, leading in some cases to paralysis, impaired sensitivity in the extremities due to vasospasm, thrombosis, and hemorrhage.

It is necessary to single out a complex of symptoms that are characteristic of GB, but are not signs of GB.

These are the so-called secondary hypertension. They arise as a result various diseases and are considered as their symptoms. Currently, there are more than 50 diseases that occur with an increase in blood pressure. These include kidney and thyroid diseases.

What are hypertensive crises?

Hypertensive crisis- This is one of the formidable manifestations of hypertension. With a sharp increase in pressure, all of the above symptoms of GB may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, decreased vision. Crises can last from several minutes to several hours.

In this case, patients are usually excited, tearful, complain of palpitations. Often red spots appear on the chest and cheeks. There is an increase in heart rate. An attack may result in profuse urination or loose stools.

Such crises are typical for early stages GB, they are more often observed in women in menopause, after emotional stress, when the weather changes. They often occur at night or in the afternoon.

There are other types of hypertensive crises. They have a more severe course, but develop gradually. Their duration can reach 4-5 hours. They occur in the later stages of GB against the background of high initial blood pressure. Quite often, crises are accompanied brain symptoms: impaired speech, confusion, change in sensitivity in the limbs. At the same time, patients complain about severe pain in the heart.

Degrees of hypertension

Allocate 3 degrees of GB.

• I degree- blood pressure 140-159 / 90-99 mm Hg. Art. It can periodically return to normal levels and rise again.
• II degree- blood pressure ranges from 160-179 / 100-109 mm Hg. Art. This degree is characterized by a more frequent increase in pressure, it rarely returns to normal.
• III degree– 180 and above / PO mm Hg. Art. and higher. Blood pressure is elevated almost all the time, and its decrease can be a symptom of a malfunction of the heart.

GB must begin to be treated in the I degree, otherwise it will certainly reach the II and III degrees.

How GB proceeds at different ages

The most serious form of GB is malignant hypertension. In this case, diastolic pressure rises above 130 mm Hg. Art. This form is typical for young people 30-40 years old and is not observed in patients older than 50 years. This pathology develops very quickly, blood pressure can reach 250/140 mm Hg. Art., while the vessels of the kidneys change very quickly.

GB in the elderly has its own characteristics of the course. This so-called systolic arterial hypertension. Systolic pressure is close to 160-170 mm Hg. Art. At the same time, the lower (diastolic) pressure was not changed. There is a large interval between systolic and diastolic pressure. This difference is called pulse pressure and is normally 40 mm Hg. Art. This feature in the elderly causes a number of unpleasant sensations, especially since these patients have a weakness of the cardiovascular system. But some of them do not feel this gap.

Diagnostics

To establish the correct diagnosis in identifying this disease, it is important to interview the patient in order to identify genetic predisposition. Information about the state of the cardiovascular system in close relatives - parents, siblings - is very important.

Another important link in the diagnosis is the patient's complaints about repeated rises in blood pressure. To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to regularly measure the pressure of the patient.

In the conditions of the clinic, a number of studies are also carried out: electrocardiography (ECG), examination of the fundus by an oculist, general analyzes blood and urine.

Those patients who do not have a sufficient effect of the prescribed treatment, as well as patients with suspected secondary hypertension, are sent to specialized hospitals to exclude diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland, and tumors.

Treatment of hypertension

The success of therapeutic measures is determined by the normalization of blood pressure figures in accordance with age, good health, the absence of complications from the treatment.

Treatment of hypertension should be comprehensive.

When choosing drugs, drugs that reduce pressure are used. This is a large group of drugs with various actions. In addition to them, vasodilators and diuretics are used. big role in successful treatment sedatives play. Doses and duration of medication are selected only by a doctor, individually for each patient!

When prescribing treatment, doctors pay great attention to indicators of systolic and diastolic pressure. If there is an increase in systolic pressure, then preference is given to a "braking" effect on the heart.

The patient must also observe the regime of rational work and rest, sleep should be sufficient, afternoon rest is desirable. Of great importance are physical training - exercise therapy, walking within reasonable limits that do not disrupt the work of the heart. The patient should not experience discomfort, discomfort behind the sternum, shortness of breath, palpitations.

Recommendations regarding the diet include certain restrictions: reducing the intake of table salt (no more than 5 g per day), liquids (no more than 1.5 liters per day), refusal of alcoholic beverages. Patients who are overweight need to reduce the calorie content of food, eat more vegetables and fruits.

Physical factors in the treatment of GB are increasingly used. At the same time, a physiotherapist prescribes soothing, relaxing procedures: electrosleep, electrophoresis of medicinal substances.

Treatment with a low-frequency magnetic field (magnetotherapy) produces a pronounced positive effect due to the ability of this physical factor to lower pressure and relieve pain.

Currently, there are a large number of devices that generate a low-frequency magnetic field. Among them are portable, easy to use, they can be purchased at pharmacies. The area of ​​influence of the magnetic field in GB is the back surface of the neck.

In addition, various therapeutic baths are very useful - coniferous, carbonic, pearl, hydrogen sulfide, as well as therapeutic showers.

Most patients with initial stages GB can be treated at home, with periodic supervision of therapists in the clinic, following the recommendations for organizing a regimen, diet, and physical training.

Folk remedies for the treatment of hypertension

Phytotherapy is of no small importance in the complex of means of treating GB. First of all, these are sedative herbs and fees. They can be used in finished form (extracts, tinctures and tablets).

These are mainly preparations of valerian, motherwort, hawthorn. Among the plants that have a calming effect, also include chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, hop cones and many others.

Traditional medicine advises patients with GB to eat honey, chokeberry (200-300 g per day), citrus fruits and rose hips in the form of a drink, green tea. All of these foods reduce high blood pressure and are rich in vitamin C, which is necessary for a weakened heart muscle.

• Dissolve a tablespoon of honey in 1 cup mineral water add the juice of half a lemon. Drink on an empty stomach in one go. The duration of treatment is 7-10 days. The remedy is used for hypertension, insomnia, increased excitability.
• Grind 2 cups of cranberries with 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar and eat daily at one time an hour before meals. This remedy is used in mild forms of hypertension.
• Beetroot juice - 4 cups, honey - 4 cups, marsh cudweed herb - 100 g, vodka - 500 g. Combine all components, mix thoroughly, leave for 10 days in a tightly sealed container in a dark cool place, strain, squeeze. Take 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day half an hour before meals. The drug is used for hypertension I-II degree.
• Onion juice helps to lower blood pressure, so it is recommended to prepare the following remedy: squeeze juice from 3 kg of onion, mix it with 500 g of honey, add 25 g of walnut films and pour 1/2 liter of vodka. Insist 10 days. Take 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day.
• St. John's wort (herb) - 100 g, chamomile (flowers) - 100 g, immortelle (flowers) - 100 g, birch (buds) - 100 g. The components are mixed, ground in a coffee grinder and stored in a glass jar with a lid. daily dose prepare in the evening: brew 1 tablespoon of a mixture of 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. Then filter through the canvas and wring out the residue. Half of the infusion with 1 teaspoon of honey is drunk immediately, and the rest is heated in the morning to 30-40 ° C and drunk 20 minutes before breakfast. Treatment is carried out daily until the mixture is completely used. Used for heart attack and hypertension.
• 10 g of viburnum fruits are poured with a glass of boiling water, heated under a lid in a water bath for 15 minutes, cooled for 45 minutes, filtered, squeezed and adjusted to 200 ml. Drink 1/3 cup 3-4 times a day. Store the infusion for no more than 2 days.
• To normalize blood pressure, long time take an alcohol tincture of calendula (at a ratio of 2:100 at 40-degree alcohol) 20-40 drops 3 times a day. At the same time, headaches disappear, sleep improves, efficiency and vitality increase.
• It is very useful to drink a mixture of a glass of beetroot juice, a glass of carrot, half a glass of cranberry, 250 g of honey and 100 g of vodka. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. You can also prepare the following mixture: 2 cups of beetroot juice, 250 g of honey, juice of one lemon, 1.5 cups of cranberry juice and 1 cup of vodka. It should be taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day one hour before meals.
• Pass 100 g of pitted raisins through a meat grinder, pour a glass of cold water, cook for 10 minutes over low heat, strain, cool and squeeze. Drink the entire dose during the day.
• Chokeberry juice should be taken half an hour before meals, 1/3 cup 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
• Blackcurrant juice or a decoction of its berries take 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day.
• Decoction of viburnum berries take half a glass 3 times a day.
• A mixture of half a glass of beetroot juice, the same amount of lemon juice and 1 glass of linden honey, take 1/3 cup 1 hour after eating.
• Eat 1 glass of cranberries every morning and take 5-10 drops of hawthorn flower tincture with water.
• Soak socks in vinegar essence, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1, and put them on at night, wrapping your feet tightly.
• Collect the components in the following proportions: five-lobed motherwort grass - 4 parts, marsh cudweed herb - 3 parts, blood-red hawthorn fruits - 1 part, peppermint leaf - 1/2 part, shepherd's purse grass - 1 part, black chokeberry fruits - 1 part, dill fruits - 1 part, flax seed - 1 part, wild strawberry leaf - 2 parts. Pour two or three tablespoons of the mixture (depending on the patient's body weight) into a thermos with 2.5 cups of boiling water. Leave for 6-8 hours. The next day, take the entire infusion warm in 3 divided doses 20-40 minutes before meals.
• Drink fresh juice of chokeberry fruits (chokeberry) 1/2 cup per reception for 2 weeks. You can grind 1 kg of washed and slightly dried fruits with 700 g of granulated sugar. Take 75-100 g 2 times a day.
• A glass of crushed garlic cloves is infused in 0.5 liters of vodka in a dark and warm place. Infusion take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.
• In equal parts in 1 liter of boiling water, brew 1 cup of motherwort grass, marsh cudweed, hawthorn flowers and white mistletoe, insist and take 100 ml 3 times a day for half an hour before meals.
• Mix herbs in the following proportions: hawthorn (flowers) - 5 parts, motherwort (grass) - 5 parts, cudweed (grass) - 5 parts, chamomile (flowers) - 2 parts. Two tablespoons of the mixture pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Drink 100 ml of infusion 3 times a day.
• Mix herbs in the following proportions: cumin (fruits) - 1 part, valerian (root) - 2 parts, hawthorn (flowers) - 3 parts, white mistletoe (grass) - 4 parts. Two tablespoons of the mixture pour 400 ml of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain. Drink during the day.
• Mix the gruel of a lemon or orange with the peel, but without the seeds, with granulated sugar taste. Take a teaspoon 3 times a day before meals.
• Mix herbs in the following proportions: common yarrow herb - 3 parts; blood-red hawthorn flowers, horsetail grass, white mistletoe grass, small periwinkle leaves - 1 part each. Pour a tablespoon of the collection with a glass of hot water and leave for 3 hours, boil for 5 minutes, cool and strain. Take 1/3-1/4 cup 3-4 times a day.
• Mix herbs in the following proportions: blood-red hawthorn flowers, white mistletoe grass - equally. Pour a teaspoon of the collection with a glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes and strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day one hour after meals.
• A tablespoon of the fruits of mountain ash, brew 1 cup boiling water, insist until cool, strain. Drink 0.5 cup 2-3 times a day.
• Collect the ingredients in the following ratios: marsh cudweed herb, five-lobed motherwort grass - 2 parts each, blood-red hawthorn flowers, horsetail grass - 1 part each. Pour 20 g of the collection into 200 ml of water, heat in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, strain and add boiled water to the original volume. Take 1/4-1/3 cup 3-4 times a day.
• Collect the ingredients in the following ratios: tansy (inflorescences), high elecampane (root) - equally. Pour a teaspoon of the mixture with 2 cups of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 1.5 hours, strain. Drink 100 ml 3 times a day 2 hours before meals.
• Pass 3 large heads of garlic and 3 lemons through a meat grinder, brew 1.25 liters of boiling water, close tightly and insist in a warm place for a day, stirring occasionally, then strain. Drink 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
• For hypertension with atherosclerosis, chop 2 large heads of garlic and pour 250 ml of vodka, leave for 12 days. Take 20 drops 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals. To improve the taste, mint infusion can be added to the tincture. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
• 3 drops fresh juice dilute aloe in a teaspoon of cold boiled water. Take daily on an empty stomach 1 time per day. The course of treatment is 2 months. The pressure is back to normal.
• Grind 250 g of horseradish (washed and peeled), pour 3 liters of cold boiled water, boil for 20 minutes. Drink 100 ml 3 times a day. After several doses, the pressure drops to normal.
• Pour 20 g of chopped bean leaves with 1 liter of water, boil in a water bath for 3-4 hours, cool, strain. Decoction drink 0.5 cup 4-5 times a day.
• 10 g of spring adonis flowers, buckwheat flowers, lily of the valley roots, crushed valerian roots, 1 glass of vodka.
  Pour the crushed collection with 1 glass of vodka. Insist in a dark place in a glass container with a lid for 20 days.
  Take 3 times a day, 25 drops per 1 tbsp. l. water 30 minutes before meals.
• 60 g of dry grape wine, 20 drops of fresh yarrow juice, 20 drops of rue juice, 10 g of buckwheat grass.
  Mix the ingredients, insist for a day in a dark glass vessel in a warm place.
  Take 1 time per day in the morning, 30-40 minutes before meals.
• 5 g of water willow bark, 1 g of wormwood herb, 15 g of yarrow herb, 10 g of ground flaxseed, 150 ml of boiling water.
  1 st. l. collection, pour into an enamel bowl, pour boiling water, cover, leave for 30 minutes. Strain the resulting infusion, squeeze the raw material.
  Take 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals for a month.
• 10 g leaves of lemon balm, 20 g corn silk, juice of 1 lemon, 0.5 l of boiling water.
  Squeeze juice from lemon. Pour the resulting collection into an enamel bowl, pour boiling water. Keep in a water bath for 20 minutes. Insist until cool. Drain the infusion, squeeze out the raw materials. Add lemon juice to the resulting infusion.
  Take 1/2 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes after meals. Conduct 3 courses of 7 days with a weekly interval.
• 20 g of rue herb, corn stigmas, 10 g of valerian root, peppermint leaves, 1 cup of boiling water.
  Mix all ingredients, 2 tbsp. l. collection place in an enamel bowl, pour boiling water. Boil in a water bath for 20 minutes. Insist until cool. Strain, squeeze raw materials.
  Take 2-3 times a day with meals for a month.
• 30 g of valerian roots, common anise herb, motherwort herb, 20 g of dried sunflower petals, yarrow herb, 1 cup of boiled water.
  2 tbsp. l. collection place in an enamel bowl, cover with a lid. Infuse in a water bath for 20 minutes. After cooling, strain, squeeze the raw material.
  Take 1/3 cup 2-3 times daily with meals.

Diet

First of all, it is necessary to exclude fatty foods and foods rich in cholesterol from the diet; eat less sweets, as well as fresh bread, replacing it with crackers or rice. All foods that delay the development of atherosclerosis are useful: fruits, cottage cheese, dairy products (especially yogurt and whey), egg white, cabbage, peas, boiled beef, etc., as well as foods rich in vitamin C: radish, green onions, horseradish, black currants, lemons. This diet reduces the level of toxins in the body. Salt intake should not exceed 3 grams, or half a teaspoon per day.

Recent studies have found a link between the presence of calcium and potassium in the body and blood pressure. People who consume large amounts of foods high in potassium have normal blood pressure without even controlling their salt intake. Calcium and potassium contribute to the removal of excess sodium and control the state of the vascular system. Potassium is found in large quantities in vegetables and fruits, calcium - in cottage cheese.

Chronic disease, which is characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure, is called arterial hypertension (hypertension).

Pathology affects thousands of people on the planet. The danger of this disease of the cardiovascular system is that it is often asymptomatic. A person can simply die from a heart attack or stroke caused by a sharp rise in blood pressure.

This diagnosis is established if the blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mm Hg.

modern medicine classifies arterial hypertension into two types - primary and secondary. In most cases, the cause of the disease cannot be identified. Therefore, the treatment regimen provides for the elimination primary symptom- elevated blood pressure.

The degrees of hypertension differ in the severity of symptoms and the severity of the increase in blood pressure.

If, with moderate hypertension, the tonometer fixes the numbers 150/90 mm Hg, then in the severe stage, the pressure can rise above 190 mm Hg.

ICD-10 coding
Diseases characterized by high blood pressure I10-I15

1. I10 Essential (primary) hypertension.
2. I11 Hypertension with cardiac involvement.
3. I12 Hypertension with kidney damage.
4. I13 Hypertension predominantly affecting the heart and kidneys.
5. I15 Secondary hypertension.

What is symptomatic hypertension

To correctly prescribe a course of treatment, the doctor needs to distinguish primary, or essential, hypertension from secondary, or symptomatic. Secondary hypertension is diagnosed if high blood pressure is the result of another disease.

Medicine knows more than 60 diseases that are accompanied by symptomatic hypertension.

Conventionally, all types of secondary disease were divided into several groups according to the localization of disorders that caused an increase in pressure:

1. renal symptomatic hypertension;
2. hemodynamic symptomatic hypertension (with lesions of the heart and blood vessels);
3. endocrine;
4. neurogenic (with pathologies of the central nervous system);
5. drug symptomatic hypertension.

Effective therapy of the underlying disease usually leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

What is mild hypertension

Mild hypertension is a pressure level from 140/90 to 160/100 mm Hg. This form of the disease occurs in 70% of hypertensive patients and is considered the most dangerous.

The danger lies in the fact that this form of hypertension is often asymptomatic. And a person learns about the problem when severe consequences occur (hypertensive crisis, stroke, heart attack).

What does the diagnosis of "isolated systolic hypertension" mean?

This diagnosis is established if the systolic pressure rises to 160 mm Hg, and the diastolic level remains below 90 mm Hg.

Most often, this form of the disease is diagnosed in elderly patients. It develops due to the loss of elasticity of the vessels. The danger of this form of hypertension lies in the risks of developing a heart attack, cardiac ischemia, and heart failure. An isolated diastolic form of the disease also occurs, but only in 7-9% of cases.

What does "refractory hypertension" mean?

Refractory, or refractory, hypertension is defined as failure to lower blood pressure with three or more medicines.

However, ineffective therapy can also be carried out in cases of an incorrectly established diagnosis, incorrect selection of drugs and violations of the doctor's prescriptions by the patient. In this case, we are no longer talking about true refractory pathology.

What is White Coat Hypertension?

If the patient is simply nervous and worried at the sight of medical workers, then his pressure rises sharply.

This is a fairly common occurrence. Therefore, to establish an accurate diagnosis, monitoring is carried out at home, measuring blood pressure several times a day for the period indicated by the doctor.

White coat hypertension is no less dangerous than other types of this disease, therefore it also needs treatment and constant monitoring.

Diagnosis and diagnosis

If the patient applied to medical institution with complaints of high blood pressure, the doctor should determine:

• the frequency of jumps in blood pressure;
• the presence and stage of pathologies of internal organs;
• reason for the high blood pressure.

To establish a diagnosis, you need:

1. monitor pressure indicators for several weeks;
2. pass the laboratory research aimed at identifying symptomatic hypertension;
3. if secondary hypertension is suspected, the patient should also consult with other specialists.

Most often, in middle-aged people, primary hypertension is established during preventive examinations.

In 80% of cases, early diagnosis of hypertension prevents the development of chronic persistent pathology.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

For sustainable high pressure the symptoms are the same for both men and women.

You need to go to a specialist consultation if you are concerned about:

1. headaches and dizziness;
2. numbness of fingers;
3. visual impairment;
4. insomnia;
5. decrease in working capacity;
6. nosebleeds;
7. irritability;
8. noise in ears;
9. increased sweating;
10. swelling;
11. heart pains.

The symptoms of hypertension do not appear all at once. They are added gradually as the disease progresses.

Risk factors

The causes of primary arterial hypertension are not known for certain. However, risk factors such as genetic predisposition and some external factors, significantly affect the development of the disease.

These include:

• hereditary factor considered one of the main ones.
• Aging. Physiological changes often cause an increase in pressure.
• Biochemical and physiological factors. This may be a violation of metabolic processes, functions of the central nervous system and other reasons.
• Psychological stress and constant stress. Excitation and any negative emotions in most cases contribute to an increase in blood pressure.
• Professional activity. Constant time pressure, high degree of responsibility and constant anxiety forced to live in stress, which often leads to the development of hypertension.
• Not correct image life. This category of risk factors includes the abuse of alcohol, smoking, salty and spicy foods, and strong coffee.

Stages of hypertension and the course of pathology

Hypertension can be benign or malignant, rapidly progressive, with or without hypertensive crises. The severity of the course of the disease depends on the stage.

There are three degrees of the disease:

1. The first, or mild, stage of hypertension is characterized by an increase in blood pressure from 140/90 to 159/99 mm Hg. Pressure buildup is rare. Symptoms accompanying pressure surges are often mistaken for fatigue. Hypertension 1 degree responds well to treatment. With the correct diagnosis, timely therapy and lifestyle changes, all symptoms of the disease can be eliminated.
2. Hypertension of the 2nd degree is the result of neglect of one's health. The second, moderate stage of hypertension is characterized by an increase in pressure from 160/100 to 179/109 mm Hg. The development of the disease is accompanied by accompanying symptoms, as private headaches and heart pains, dizziness. At this stage, the risk of target organ damage is high. Self-medication of the second stage of hypertension can lead to an aggravation of the situation. Treatment is prescribed by a cardiologist.
3. The third stage of pathology is characterized by persistently high blood pressure and the development of pathologies of internal organs. This stage of the disease is dangerous with conditions that can lead to death, so the patient should be treated under strict medical supervision.

The second and third stages of hypertension are sometimes complicated. Often it happens when the patient, feeling better, refuses to take medication prescribed by a cardiologist.

Treatment of arterial hypertension after diagnosis

When making a diagnosis of "Hypertension", the doctor prescribes medication and non-drug treatment. How to treat hypertension in each individual case will be prompted by a general practitioner or cardiologist.

Non-drug therapy is:

• observance of the regime of work and rest;
• normalization of sleep;
• following a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants;
• rejection of bad habits;
• breathing exercises;
• massage;
• relaxation practices.

If a change in lifestyle has not led to a lasting positive effect, the doctor prescribes an appointment medicines reducing pressure.

The patient is given one or more drugs that affect different symptoms diseases.

In case of a sharp increase in blood pressure or a hypertensive crisis, the patient should always have on hand such means as Derinat, Corinfar or Lofelin.

Treatment of hypertension at home implies a clear prescription from a doctor. Folk methods Therapy is acceptable only in cases where the diagnosis has not been made, and the pressure rarely rises.

Prevention of high blood pressure

To prevent hypertension, you should follow a diet, giving up excessively salty and spicy foods, alcoholic beverages.

If you are at risk, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly and see your doctor at least twice a year.

- this is a systematic stable increase in blood pressure (systolic pressure above 139 mm Hg and / or diastolic pressure above 89 mm Hg). Hypertension is the most common disease of the cardiovascular system. An increase in blood pressure in the vessels occurs as a result of narrowing of the arteries and their smaller branches, called arterioles .

It is known that the total amount of blood in the human body is approximately 6 - 8% of the total body weight, so you can calculate how much blood is in the body of each individual person. All blood moves through circulatory system vessels, which is the main main highway for the movement of blood. The heart contracts and moves the blood through the vessels, the blood presses on the walls of the vessels with a certain force. This force is called blood pressure . In other words, blood pressure promotes the movement of blood through the vessels.

Blood pressure indicators are: systolic blood pressure (SBP), which is also called "upper" blood pressure. Systolic pressure shows the amount of pressure in the arteries created by the contraction of the heart muscle when a portion of blood is ejected into the arteries; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), it is also called "lower" pressure. It shows the amount of pressure during the relaxation of the heart, at the moment when it is filled before the next contraction. Both indicators are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

In some people, due to a variety of reasons, there is a narrowing of the arterioles, initially due to vasospasm. Then their lumen remains narrowed constantly, this is facilitated by the thickening of the walls of the vessels. To overcome these constrictions, which are an obstacle to free blood flow, more intensive work of the heart and a greater release of blood into the vascular bed are required. Developing hypertonic disease .

Approximately, in every tenth hypertensive patient, an increase in blood pressure is caused by a lesion of an organ. In such cases, we can talk about symptomatic or secondary hypertension. Approximately 90% of patients with arterial hypertension suffer from essential or primary hypertension .

The reference point from which one can speak of high blood pressure is usually at least three times the doctor-registered level of 139/89 mmHg, provided that the patient does not take any blood pressure medications.

A slight, sometimes even persistent increase in blood pressure, does not mean the presence of the disease. If, at the same time, you do not have any risk factors and there are no signs organ damage, at this stage, hypertension is potentially avoidable. But, nevertheless, with an increase in blood pressure, it is necessary to consult a doctor, only he can determine the degree of the disease and prescribe treatment for arterial hypertension.

Hypertensive crisis

A sudden and significant increase in blood pressure, accompanied by a sharp deterioration in the coronary, cerebral and renal circulation, is called hypertensive crisis . It is dangerous because it significantly increases the risk of developing severe cardiovascular complications, such as: myocardial infarction , subarachnoid hemorrhage, aortic dissection, acute renal failure .

Arises hypertensive crisis, most often, after stopping taking medications without the consent of the attending physician, due to the influence of meteorological factors, adverse psycho-emotional stress, systematic excessive salt intake, inadequate treatment, alcohol excesses.

A hypertensive crisis is characterized by the patient's excitation, anxiety, fear, tachycardia, and a feeling of lack of air. The patient has a cold sweat, reddening of the face, sometimes significant, "goosebumps", a feeling of internal trembling, numbness of the lips and tongue, impaired speech, weakness in the limbs.

Violation of the blood supply to the brain is manifested primarily by nausea or even a single vomiting. Often there are signs of heart failure: unstable, expressed in retrosternal pain, or other vascular complications.

Hypertensive crises can develop at any stage of the disease of arterial hypertension. If the crises are repeated, this may indicate an incorrectly administered therapy.

Hypertensive crises can be 3 types:

1. Neurovegetative crisis , characterized by an increase in pressure, mainly systolic. The patient is agitated, looks frightened, worried. maybe slight increase body temperature is observed.

2. edematous hypertensive crisis occurs, most often in women, usually after eating salty foods or drinking large amounts of liquid. Both systolic and diastolic pressure increase. Patients are drowsy, slightly lethargic, swelling of the face and hands is visually noticeable.

3. Convulsive hypertensive crisis - one of the most severe, usually occurs with malignant hypertension. There is a severe brain injury, which is accompanied by cerebral edema, possibly cerebral hemorrhage.

As a rule, a hypertensive crisis is caused by disturbances in the intensity and rhythm of the blood supply to the brain and its membranes. Therefore, during a hypertensive crisis, the pressure does not rise very much.

To avoid hypertensive crises, it must be remembered that the treatment of arterial hypertension requires constant maintenance therapy and stopping medication without the permission of a doctor is unacceptable and dangerous.

Malignant arterial hypertension

A syndrome characterized by very high blood pressure, resistance or poor responsiveness to therapy, rapidly progressive organic changes in organs, is called malignant arterial hypertension.

Malignant arterial hypertension occurs rarely, no more than 1% of patients and most often in males aged 40-50 years.

The prognosis of the syndrome is unfavorable, in the absence effective treatment up to 80% of patients suffering from this syndrome die within one year from chronic heart and / or renal failure, exfoliating or hemorrhagic stroke .

Timely treatment in modern conditions reduces the fatal outcome disease and more than half of patients survive for 5 years or more.

In Russia, approximately 40% of the adult population suffers from increased level blood pressure. It is dangerous that at the same time, many of them are not even aware of the presence of this serious disease and, therefore, do not control their blood pressure.

Over the years there have been several different classifications arterial hypertension, however, since 2003, at the annual International Symposium of Cardiologists, a unified classification by degrees has been adopted.

1. Light degree arterial hypertension, when blood pressure is in the range of 140-159 mm Hg. systolic and 90-99 mm Hg. Art. distolic.

2. Second degree or a moderate degree is characterized by pressure from 160/100 to 179/109 mm Hg. Art.

3. Severe degree hypertension is an increase in blood pressure above 180/110 mm Hg. Art.

The severity of arterial hypertension is not usually determined without risk factors. Among cardiologists there is a concept of risk factors for the development of arterial hypertension. So they call those factors that, with a hereditary predisposition to this disease, serve as an impetus that triggers the mechanism for the development of arterial hypertension. To risk factors rank:

Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, a further in-depth examination is carried out to assess the severity of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment. Such diagnostics are needed to assess the functional state of cerebral blood flow, myocardium, kidneys, to detect blood concentrations of corticosteroids, aldosterones, activity; Magnetic resonance imaging or CT scan brain and adrenal glands, and abdominal aortography .

Diagnosis of arterial hypertension is greatly facilitated if the patient has information about cases of this disease in the family of close relatives. This may indicate a hereditary predisposition to the disease and will require close attention to the state of one's health, even if the diagnosis is not confirmed.

For correct diagnosis, it is important to regularly measure the patient's blood pressure. For objective diagnosis and monitoring of the course of the disease, it is very important to regularly independently measure pressure. Self-control, among other things, gives a positive effect from the treatment, because. discipline the patient.

Doctors do not recommend using devices that measure pressure in the finger or on the wrist to measure blood pressure. When measuring blood pressure with automatic electronic devices, it is important to strictly adhere to the relevant instructions.

Blood pressure measurement with tonometer a fairly simple procedure if carried out correctly and followed necessary conditions even if they seem petty to you.

Measure the level of pressure should be 1-2 hours after eating, 1 hour after drinking coffee or smoking. Clothing should not constrict the arms and forearms. The hand on which the measurement is taken must be free from clothing.

It is very important to carry out the measurement in a calm and comfortable environment with a comfortable temperature. The chair should be with a straight back, put it next to the table. Sit on a chair so that the middle of the cuff on your forearm is at the level of your heart. Lean your back against the back of a chair, do not talk or cross your legs. If you have been moving or working before, rest for at least 5 minutes.

Apply the cuff in such a way that its edge is 2.5 -3 cm above the elbow cavity. Apply the cuff tightly, but not tight, so that a finger can easily pass between the cuff and the arm. The cuff must be properly inflated. It should be pumped quickly, until minimal discomfort appears. You need to blow off air at a speed of 2 mm Hg. Art. per second.

The pressure level at which the pulse appeared is recorded, and then the level at which the sound disappeared. Membrane stethoscope located at the point of maximum pulsation of the brachial artery, usually just above the cubital fossa on the inner surface of the forearm. The head of the stethoscope should not touch the tubes and cuff. The membrane should also be firmly attached to the skin, but do not press. The appearance of the sound of the pulse, in the form of deaf beats, indicates the level systolic blood pressure, the disappearance of pulse sounds - the level diastolic pressure. For reliability and to avoid errors, the study should be repeated at least 1 time in 3-4 minutes, alternately, on both hands.

Treatment of arterial hypertension

Treatment of hypertension directly depends on the stage of the disease. The main goal of the treatment is to minimize the risk of developing cardiovascular complications and prevent the threat of death.

If the 1st degree of hypertension is not aggravated by any risk factor, then the possibility of developing dangerous complications of the cardiovascular system, such as stroke or myocardial infarction for the next 10 years, is very low and is no more than 15%.

The management of low-risk grade 1 hypertension consists of lifestyle changes and non-drug therapy lasting up to 12 months, during which the cardiologist observes and controls the dynamics of the disease. If the blood pressure level is above 140/90 mm Hg. Art. and does not tend to decrease, the cardiologist must select drug therapy .

The average degree means that the possibility of developing cardiovascular complications of essential hypertension for the next 10 years is 15-20%. The tactics of treating the disease at this stage are similar to those used by a cardiologist for grade 1 hypertension, but the period of non-drug therapy is reduced to 6 months. If the dynamics of the disease is unsatisfactory and high blood pressure persists, it is advisable to transfer the patient to drug treatment.

A severe degree of arterial hypertension means that, in the next 10 years, complications of arterial hypertension and other diseases of the cardiovascular system may occur in 20-30% of cases. The tactics of treating hypertension of this degree consists in examining the patient and subsequent obligatory drug treatment in combination with non-pharmacological methods.

If the risk is very high, this indicates that the prognosis of the disease and treatment is unfavorable and the possibility of developing severe complications is 30% or more. The patient needs an urgent clinical examination and immediate medical treatment.

Drug treatment of arterial hypertension is aimed at lowering blood pressure to normal indicators, elimination of the threat of target organ damage: hearts , kidney , brain , their maximum possible cure. For treatment, antihypertensive drugs are used that lower blood pressure, the choice of which depends on the decision of the attending physician, which proceeds from the criteria for the patient's age, the presence of certain complications from the cardiovascular system and other organs.

Start treatment with minimum doses antihypertensive drugs and, observing the patient's condition, gradually increase it until a noticeable therapeutic effect. The prescribed drug must be well tolerated by the patient.

Most often, in the treatment of essential or primary hypertension, combined drug therapy is used, which includes several drugs. The advantages of such treatment are the possibility of simultaneously acting on several different mechanisms of the development of the disease at once and prescribing the drug in reduced dosages, which significantly reduces the risk side effects. This risk also explains the strict prohibition of self-administration of drugs that reduce blood pressure or arbitrary changes in dosage without consulting a doctor. All antihypertensive drugs are so powerful that their uncontrolled use can lead to unpredictable results.

The dosage of the drug is reduced or increased as needed only by a cardiologist and after careful clinical examination the patient's condition.

Non-drug treatment of arterial hypertension is aimed at reducing and eliminating risk factors and includes:

• refusal to take alcohol and smoking;
• weight loss to an acceptable level;
• adherence to a salt-free diet and a balanced diet;
• transition to an active lifestyle, morning exercises, walking, etc., rejection of hypodynamia.

The doctors

Medications

Prevention of arterial hypertension

For people with a hereditary predisposition to arterial hypertension and weighed down by risk factors, disease prevention is of great importance. First of all, this is a regular examination by a cardiologist and adherence to the rules of a proper lifestyle, which will help to delay, and often eliminate the disease of arterial hypertension. If you have a history of relatives with hypertension, you should reconsider your lifestyle and radically change many habits and way of life, which are risk factors.

Need to lead active lifestyle, move more, depending on age, this is ideal for running, swimming, walking, cycling and skiing. Physical exercise should be introduced gradually, without overloading the body. Outdoor exercise is especially beneficial. Physical exercise strengthens the heart muscle and nervous system and helps prevent stress.

You should reconsider your dietary principles, stop eating salty and fatty foods, switch to low calorie diet , which includes a large number of fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables.

Don't get carried away alcoholic drinks and especially beer. They contribute to obesity, uncontrolled consumption of table salt, adversely affect the heart, blood vessels, liver and kidneys.

Give up smoking , substances contained in nicotine, provoke a change in the walls of the arteries, increase their rigidity, therefore, they can be the culprits of the increase in pressure. In addition, nicotine is very dangerous for the heart and lungs.

Try to be surrounded by favorable psycho-emotional environment . If possible, avoid conflicts, remember, shattered nervous system very often triggers the mechanism of development of arterial hypertension.

Thus, we can briefly say that the prevention of arterial hypertension includes regular examinations by a cardiologist, the right lifestyle and a favorable emotional background for your environment.

If there are signs of a regular increase in blood pressure, you should immediately contact a medical facility. Remember that by doing this you can save your health and life!

Complications of arterial hypertension

It should be clearly understood that neglecting the treatment of arterial hypertension leads to severe and dangerous complications. With the progression of hypertension, various organs are seriously affected.

• Heart . Acute or chronic heart failure develops, left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial infarction are observed.
• kidneys . Develops renal failure, nephrosclerosis.
• Brain . Dyscirculatory encephalopathy, ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes often occur.
• Vessels . Aortic aneurysm, etc.
• hypertensive crises.

To avoid dangerous complications, with an increase in blood pressure, you should immediately contact a medical institution for help and treatment.

Diet, nutrition for arterial hypertension

List of sources

• Family approaches to organization primary prevention coronary disease heart and arterial hypertension. - Novosibirsk: Nauka, 2000.
• Zholondz M. Ya. A new look at hypertension: causes and treatment. - M.: Peter, 2011. - S. 192.
• Bokarev I.N. arterial hypertension. Disease or risk factor? Clinical medicine. 2004

Education: Graduated from Vitebsk State Medical University with a degree in Surgery. He headed the Student Council at the university. scientific society. Advanced training in 2010 - in the specialty "Oncology" and in 2011 - in the specialty "Mammology, visual forms of oncology".

Work experience: Work in the general medical network for 3 years as a surgeon (Vitebsk emergency hospital medical care, Liozno Central District Hospital) and part-time regional oncologist and traumatologist. Work as a pharmaceutical representative for a year in the Rubicon company.

He presented 3 rationalization proposals on the topic “Optimization of antibiotic therapy depending on the species composition of microflora”, 2 works won prizes in the republican competition-review of student scientific works(categories 1 and 3).