A persistent increase in blood pressure is observed in approximately the ⅓ adult population of the planet. At the risk group of arterial hypertension are people over 40, mainly men. Representatives of the opposite sex also suffer from this ailment, but much less often and usually at an older age. In women, arterial hypertension usually occurs after 50 years, during menopause. This is due to the imbalance of hormones in the body due to the cessation of the production of sex hormones with ovaries.
Fortunately, modern medicine has an extensive arsenal of cardiotropic drugs that allow you to control blood pressure in patients, thereby preventing the development of cardiovascular disasters, improving the quality of life and the prognosis of patients. At the same time, an important role in the effectiveness of treatment is played by the patient’s lifestyle, in all cases of the disease, it is recommended to rejection of bad habits, reduction in body weight, moderate physical activity, restriction of consumption of table salt.
What is arterial hypertension
This is a persistent increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure above 130 and 80 mm Hg. It can be independent (essential hypertension) and proceed in the framework of the symptom of other diseases.
Vascular hundreds in constant tension change and lose their functions, this affects the work of the entire cardiovascular system. Therefore, it is important, with a persistent increase in blood pressure above 130/80 mm HgContact the doctor or cardiologist for examining and selecting drugs for regular control of blood pressure.
Depending on the pressure indicators, 3 degrees of arterial hypertension are distinguished. The first is characterized by an increase in systolic pressure to 160 mm Hg. Art. , diastolic - up to 100 mm Hg. Art. The second is characterized by indicators up to 180 and 110 mm Hg. Art. , for the third - more than 180 and more than 110 mm Hg. Art. respectively. During the diagnosis, only one indicator is enough for the doctor to diagnose arterial hypertension and establish its degree.
Reasons
The exhaustive list of factors that provoke the disease does not exist, but scientists managed to establish a direct dependence of arterial hypertension on some diseases, conditions and habits to which include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- prolonged stress;
- excess body weight;
- diabetes and other endocrine disturbances in history;
- kidney diseases, adrenal glands;
- age -related changes in the circulatory system;
- too much salt consumption;
- use of hormonal contraception;
- abuse of alcoholic beverages, smoking;
- The uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictive nasal drops, the abuse of coffee.
- lack of physical activity;
- elderly age.
Symptoms
Patients may not experience any symptoms of arterial hypertension, with a long -occurred syndrome, due to the adaptation of blood vessels to high arterial pressure numbers. Of the characteristic signs of the disease, headache, non -systemic dizziness can be distinguished. "Flies" in the eyes, tides, bouts of rapid heartbeat, nasal bleeding, and noise in the ears can also be observed.
The signs listed above can be more or less pronounced, it depends on the individual characteristics of the human body. However, regardless of the degree of their manifestation, it is necessary in any case to seek medical help to normalize blood pressure, careful examination and prescribing therapy.
If the pathology is not accompanied by any symptoms, this does not mean that it is not dangerous and does not affect the condition of the vascular walls. To detect asymptomatic hypertension in people from risk groups, it is recommended to regularly control the pressure using a tonometer.
With an increase in blood pressure above 140 by 90 mm Hg. Art. , as well as in the presence of clinical symptoms in the form of headaches, shortness of breath, pain in the heart, nasal bleeding should be caused by ambulance. Hypertonic crisis as a complication, the condition requiring emergency medical care. In the absence of such, the state can gain a life -threatening character and lead to severe complications and even the death of the patient.
Diagnostics
When suspicious symptoms appear, first of all, it is important to visit a therapist or cardiologist. At the initial appointment, the doctor carefully examines the patient, measures blood pressure, and collects an anamnesis.
The specialist clarifies the necessary information to determine the tactics of examination and treatment. It includes concomitant chronic diseases, taking drugs, bad habits, heredity in cardiovascular diseases, and the patient's physical activity.
Then the doctor prescribes laboratory and instrumental studies. Clinical protocols are recommended to direct the patient to general clinical tests of blood and urine, determine the level of glucose, electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, sodium), lipid profile indicators, creatinine, urea, uric acid, TSH hormones, T3 and T4 free to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland.
It is imperative to conduct electrocardiography, echocardiography, daily blood pressure monitoring (MAMD). Send the patient to the doctor an ophthalmologist to examine the bloody vessels. The presence of retinal angiopathy is one of their most important diagnostic criteria for hypertension.
Treatment of arterial hypertension
The direction of therapy depends on the degree of arterial hypertension, the severity of the state, the causes of the pathology and other factors. First of all, it is important to change the lifestyle: abandon bad habits, connect regular training or long walks in the fresh air, and abandon a large amount of salt. But in most cases, patients need regular use of drugs, daily blood pressure monitoring.
In some cases, surgical intervention is required (for example, removal of the neoplasm in the adrenal gland). If the pathological process is secondary (is a consequence of a disease), treatment should be aimed at eliminating the main ailment.
Recommended medicines
The therapeutic scheme is developed for each patient individually. As a rule, the following means are used for therapy:
- ACE inhibitors. Such drugs reduce pressure by reducing the total peripheral vascular resistance. Are first -line drugs and are released according to the doctor’s prescription.
- Antagonists of angiotensin II receptors have a similar mechanism of action, are prescribed for intolerance to ACE inhibitors or in the presence of contraindications to them.
- Beta-blockers. They work due to the blocking of β1-adrenergic receptors located in the heart. This leads to a change in the innervation of the heart, a decrease in the frequency and strength of heart contractions, a decrease in pressure. Priority in patients with concomitant heart rhythm disorders.
- Calcium antagonists. Their main property is the ability to reversibly inhibit the movement of calcium into cell structures. Drugs of this class are released according to the prescription of the doctor.
- Sedatives. Showed in cases where arterial hypertension provoke stress. Safe drugs on a plant basis include Novopassit, motherwort, valerian extract in a tablet form.
- Some vitamin-mineral complexes and additives can be useful.
There are contraindications. Consultation of a specialist is needed.
All drugs, dosages and duration of administration should be determined by the attending physician. Most drugs are released in pharmacies only according to recipes, since with uncontrolled use can cause severe adverse reactions up to death.
Prevention
Clinical recommendations for the prevention of arterial hypertension relate to the elimination of all existing factors that can provoke the development of the pathological process. First of all, it is recommended to minimize stressful situations, abandon bad habits, monitor body mass, limit salty, sharp, spicy products in the nutrition, regularly monitor pressure indicators, especially if there are risks of the development of hypertension associated with a hereditary factor.
If essential hypertension has already been diagnosed, the patient is prescribed antihypertensive drugs for regular intake, followed by blood pressure control. Target indicators of blood pressure according to current clinical protocols <130/80 mm Hg