How much is the pressure increased?

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is one of the most common diseases today, especially in older people. High blood pressure must be treated, because it can lead to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Chronic high blood pressure leads to damage to internal organs, disruption of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Pressure features

Normal pressure is considered to be 120/80. The upper number is the systolic pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart, when it pumps blood forward, the lower one is when the heart is in a relaxed state.

To make such a diagnosis, a simple measurement of pressure is not enough. How many cases when a person has an increase in performance is caused by an uncomfortable environment in a medical office! There is even an expression - "white coat hypertension". Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, a number of additional studies are carried out.

Types of high pressure

The most common type, occurring in 80% of patients, is arterial hypertension, in which pressure (systolic and diastolic) is increased, and the values ​​exceed 140/90 mm Hg. Art.

There are three other types of the disease.

• Isolated systolic hypertension is a condition in which diastolic pressure remains normal or even below normal, and systolic pressure is high (exceeds 140 mm Hg). This form is also called pulse pressure. It is most often diagnosed in old age.
• White-coat hypertension is an artificial increase in blood pressure for a time, caused by anxiety experiences that the patient experiences in the doctor's office.
• Borderline hypertension is when the pressure is high, but not higher than 140/90. These indicators can be exceeded only under certain life circumstances associated with stress. People with a similar diagnosis should be observed by a doctor, because borderline hypertension can develop into chronic.

Whatever form is found, measures should be taken to lower blood pressure. Hypertension is a dangerous disease, although at the initial stage of development it does not give cause for concern.

Why is the pressure rising?

Even in a healthy person, pressure can increase under stress, but this condition is not considered dangerous: after the elimination of provoking factors, it normalizes.

Here is a list of factors that can trigger the development of hypertension:

• the use of high-calorie foods high in saturated fatty acids;
• eating salty foods (salt has a negative effect on blood vessels, destroying their walls);
• alcohol abuse not only significantly increases the risk of developing hypertension, but also adversely affects the entire body;
• tension, stressful situations, experiences;
• smoking, which leads to a decrease in tone and loss of elasticity of blood vessels, which causes problems with pressure;
• metabolic disorders, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.

There are primary and secondary (or symptomatic) hypertension. The causes of the secondary form of the disease are pathologies of various organs. Most often, high blood pressure is recorded with tumors in the adrenal glands, kidney disease, narrowing of the aorta.

Who is at risk

The unfavorable ecological state of the environment, malnutrition, work associated with stress and anxiety - these factors lead to the fact that people face the problem of high pressure at a fairly early age. Signs of arterial hypertension appear in patients who have suffered kidney disease, traumatic brain injury.

At risk are people who have problems with being overweight. Studies conducted by American scientists have shown that the risk of developing hypertension increases by 5-6 times if a person is obese. Excess weight is the cause of increased pressure in people in childhood, adolescence and reproductive age.

Arterial hypertension is often found in elderly patients, which is explained by the aging processes occurring in the vessels. The walls of blood vessels wear out, lose their elasticity.

At risk are those who smoke, regularly consume alcoholic beverages, and eat junk food.

Another category of patients who are also at risk are people with a hereditary predisposition to the development of arterial hypertension.

Signs of hypertension

Hypertension is often referred to as the "silent killer". High blood pressure may not make itself felt for a long time: hypertension does not manifest itself in the initial stages, gradually destroying the internal organs. The disease progresses without visible symptoms, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and this is fraught with death. In this case, the appearance of signs is a “push” to undergo an examination, which can save a person’s life. As a rule, symptoms appear at a sufficiently high pressure, when the readings exceed 140/90.

To understand that you have high blood pressure, you can by the following signs:

1. headache;
2. shortness of breath when performing physical work or even at rest;
3. nausea, sometimes vomiting;
4. dizziness, darkening in the eyes;
5. visual disturbances, blurred images.

Malignant hypertension is considered especially dangerous, in which renal failure can occur. This disease requires urgent medical attention, as it is a harbinger of a stroke.

In order to determine the disease in time, consult a doctor and begin treatment, you need to know what pressure is considered normal and which is elevated. You also need to periodically measure indicators. If you are at risk, purchase a blood pressure monitor at home.

Diagnostics

To measure the pressure, you need to fix the rubber cuff on the arm in the forearm area, pump the air with a pneumatic bulb. Then attach a stethoscope to the inside of the elbow, loosen the cuff and listen carefully when the artery begins to pulsate. This will be the systolic pressure. Diastolic is the pressure at the end of the pulsation of the artery.

It is too early to talk about high blood pressure if there are only sphygmomanometer measurements.

To make a diagnosis of "hypertension", it is necessary to conduct a number of additional studies.

• A complete blood count is needed to determine the level of hemoglobin. Its decrease may be caused by a malfunction of the kidneys.
• Urinalysis is performed to examine the condition of the urinary tract. The presence of glucose in the urine may indicate the development of diabetes.
• Blood test for biochemical parameters. The focus here is on cholesterol. If it is low density, it threatens to block the blood vessels, which is the cause of the development of hypertension.
• Blood sugar test. A decrease or increase in glucose levels is the main symptom of diabetes. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to be examined by an endocrinologist.

In addition to the above tests, it is also necessary to do an ultrasound of the kidneys, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. With increased pressure, the blood vessels dilate. Therefore, it is also necessary to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist so that he examines the state of the vessels of the fundus.

Treatment of hypertension

After the diagnosis is made, treatment must be prescribed. Drugs that are taken for hypertension may belong to different pharmacokinetic groups. Some have a whole list of contraindications, can cause the development of adverse reactions.

Effective therapy at the initial stage of the development of arterial hypertension will help to avoid negative consequences, significantly reduce the risk of kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, and other heart diseases.

With high pressure, you need to act comprehensively, and you should start with a change in lifestyle.

A positive result can be achieved by combining several methods:

• taking medications;
• the use of traditional medicine;
• diet therapy;
• exercise stress;
• breathing exercises;
• taking vitamin and mineral complexes.

With hypertension, it is important to provide the body with the vitamins and minerals necessary for its normal functioning, which cannot be provided only by proper nutrition.

Medical therapy

It is difficult to cure arterial hypertension without drugs. The main goal of therapy is to reduce pressure to 139/89 mm Hg. Art. If the form is mild, it is possible to do without medicines, but for the treatment of a neglected form, a complex of effective drugs is required.

With increased pressure, you need to act very carefully. High rates cannot be reduced immediately, because health problems may develop. With arterial hypertension, complex therapy is indicated, with which you can achieve a quick lasting effect and avoid adverse reactions.

Doctors prescribe drugs of the following pharmacokinetic groups:

• thiazides (Hydrochlorothiazide) relieve swelling, remove excess fluid from the body, normalize the functioning of the urinary system;
• sulfonamides (Chlortalidone) significantly reduce the risk of complications from the cardiovascular system;
• selective and non-selective beta-blockers (Atenolol, SotaGEKSAL) block the release of hormones that are responsible for vasoconstriction;
• ACE inhibitors (Captopril, Lisinopril, Fozicard) reduce blood flow, effectively lower blood pressure, restore myocardial function;
• sartans (Losartan) have an antispasmodic effect, lower high blood pressure, rarely cause side effects;
• calcium channel blockers (Amlodipine) increase the efficiency, endurance of the body when performing hard physical work.

How long to take drugs, in what doses - this is determined by the attending physician. The choice of medicines is carried out taking into account factors such as the type of hypertension, the age of the patient, and the state of his health.

Proper nutrition

There is a category of patients who claim that hypertension can be cured without the use of drugs. After taking medications, unpleasant side reactions often occur: dry cough, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, sleep disturbance. If hypertension is just beginning to manifest itself, its symptoms can be relieved by diet therapy.

Studies confirm that arterial hypertension develops against the background of a lack of magnesium in the body. Magnesium preparations not only help to reduce pressure, but also have a positive effect on metabolic processes, normalize bowel function, remove excess fluid and toxic substances from the body. The daily dose of a trace element is determined depending on the weight of the person.

If magnesium is deficient, it is recommended to supplement your diet with foods such as:

• seafood (especially sea urchins and their caviar);
• wheat and rice bran;
• sesame;
• watermelon and pumpkin seeds;
• all kinds of nuts;
• legumes;
• dried fruits;
• greenery.

Just 50 grams of rice bran will help fill the body's daily need for magnesium. But not only this microelement is necessary for patients with high blood pressure. Vitamin B6 contributes to the normalization of blood pressure. Its intake in the body will help strengthen the immune system, improve the condition of nails and skin. Vitamin B6 is abundant in raw pine nuts.

It is considered useful in hypertension taurine. This is an amino acid, the action of which is that it relieves spasms of blood vessels, relaxes their walls, and improves blood flow. Taurine can be taken in the form of dietary supplements or obtained from food. A person needs from 1 to 4 grams of this substance per day. It is found in seafood, dairy products, poultry meat.

Folk remedies for high blood pressure

Traditional medicine has its own effective recipes that help fight hypertension. You should immediately warn: you should not rely only on folk remedies. They can be effective as part of complex therapy. The use of alternative medicine techniques is best agreed with the attending physician in order to avoid complications.

So, what folk recipes are used to reduce high blood pressure?

• Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent the development of heart disease and improve vascular patency. Very little omega-3 comes from food, because they are destroyed by heat, light and air. But in flax seeds they are protected by a shell. Before use, the seeds are recommended to grind. The daily dose is three tablespoons. It can be consumed neat or added to salads, soups. In addition to the positive effect of flaxseeds on the heart and blood vessels, one can note anti-aging properties, the ability to cleanse the body of toxins and toxic substances.
• Red pine cones infused with alcohol are an effective remedy that is often used in the treatment of hypertension. The buds contain bioflavonoids and tannin. These substances thin the blood, prevent the formation of blood clots, protect brain cells from damage. After a course of taking the drug, the elasticity of blood vessels increases, metabolism improves, and pressure stabilizes.
• Garlic is a plant that will help prevent the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques and dissolve blood clots. This well-known folk remedy improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, has a positive effect on the state of the whole organism. Garlic has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
• Freshly squeezed juices of beets, carrots and cucumbers well lower blood pressure, saturate the body with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Betaine, which is contained in beetroot juice, cleanses the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol, normalizes lipid metabolism.

With increased pressure, golden mustache tincture, lemon, honey, decoctions of motherwort, hawthorn are effective. With the regular use of traditional medicine, you can not only lower blood pressure, but also improve the functioning of the arteries and the heart.

Complications

Even if a person is not disturbed by the symptoms of hypertension, it does not manifest itself, this does not mean that the pathology does not harm the body. "Silent killer" gradually destroys the internal organs, leading to disruption of their normal functioning. The brain and heart suffer the most. Scientists have proven that patients who have an increase in blood pressure are prone to atherosclerosis. With hypertension, the blood supply to the internal organs is disrupted. Often, patients develop lameness.

The main complication of hypertension is increased stress on the heart. With high blood pressure, it is forced to work in an enhanced rhythm. Over a long period, the heart cannot cope with increased pressure, which leads to symptoms such as hemoptysis, swelling, and shortness of breath. In 89% of cases, the consequences of a violation of the heart are myocardial infarction.

Another complication of hypertension is brain dysfunction, which often leads to a stroke. High blood pressure is accompanied by an expansion of the vessels of the eyeballs, cholesterol is deposited on their walls, this can lead to impaired vision and even blindness.

Prevention of hypertension

In alternative Chinese medicine, there is a theory that all the diseases that modern man faces begin with malnutrition. Lack of useful substances in the body and an excess of harmful ones leads to disruption of its functioning. There is some truth in this.

Hypertension is a pathology that affects people of all ages. Getting rid of it is very difficult, much easier to prevent.

Prevention of high blood pressure is as follows:

1. maintaining normal body weight;
2. smoking cessation, limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
3. nutrition correction, reduction in the diet of salty, spicy, fatty foods;
4. moderate physical activity;
5. timely treatment of systemic diseases.

In order to determine hypertension in time and start adequate treatment, you need to regularly visit a doctor, measure pressure, and monitor your health. An increase in blood pressure "pulls" serious complications, leads to a reduction in life expectancy.

About 50 thousand people a year die from hypertension and its complications. Most often, residents of developed countries get sick. Preventing the disease is quite simple. Excellent prevention is a balanced diet, sports or moderate physical activity, avoidance of stress, regular visits to a medical institution for a comprehensive examination of the body.