Hypertension 1 degree

Arterial hypertension of the 1st degree is a mild form of hypertension, characterized by an increase in blood pressure from 140/90 mm Hg. Art. and higher. The internal organs are not affected and there is a chance to eliminate the disease without the use of aggressive drug therapy.

Hypertension of the 1st degree is often asymptomatic. This is its danger: patients can lead their usual way of life for years. If the disease is not detected in time, a transition to a more severe stage and the development of complications in the form of heart attacks, strokes or disruption of the heart and kidneys is possible.

Risk factors for developing hypertension

The reasons that lead to the onset of the disease are not yet fully understood.

But there are a number of factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing hypertension:

1. Heredity. If close relatives on the part of the father or mother suffered from high blood pressure, then the risk of similar health problems in children will be very high.
2. Pregnancy.
3. Age 35 and older (especially men).
4. Presence of bad habits (smoking, alcohol).
5. Constant stressful situations (the secreted hormone adrenaline constricts blood vessels and increases the heart rate).
6. Overweight.
7. Atherosclerosis (blockage by cholesterol and other fats of the inner walls of the arteries).
8. A sedentary lifestyle (as a result of which the metabolism slows down, the condition of the body worsens).
9. The use of a large number of salty foods (salt retains water in the body and contributes to vasoconstriction).
10. Diseases of the endocrine system.
11. Renal failure.

For example, people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and do not pay attention to nutrition are often obese. And bad habits, especially smoking, lead to the appearance of plaques in the vessels and the progression of atherosclerosis. These combinations of risk factors only exacerbate hypertension and increase the likelihood of complications and stress on the heart muscles.

Hypertension 1 degree has 4 types of risk of complications:

• low (the probability of complications does not exceed 15%);
• medium (15-20%);
• high (20-30%);
• very high (risk above 30%).

Also, risk factors are divided depending on whether they can be eliminated or not. They are correctable and non-correctable. For example, a person can refuse bad habits, and, unfortunately, no specialists can cope with the hereditary factor. In addition, a patient diagnosed with arterial hypertension of the 1st degree, who begins to abuse alcohol, leads a static lifestyle and increases the amount of salt in the diet, increases the risk of the disease progressing to stage 2, which is more dangerous to health.

Symptoms of the disease

The first stage of hypertension is characterized by a periodic and short-term increase in pressure. Basically, it does not pose a danger to human health and life, but with an asymptomatic course, there is a possible risk of complications.

Therefore, it is so important to monitor your well-being and, if you find the following signs, contact a cardiologist:

1. Dizziness or headache (in the parietal or occipital region).
2. "Flies" before the eyes (due to a sharp rush of blood).
3. General weakness and decreased ability to work.
4. Insomnia.
5. Irritability.
6. Noise in ears.
7. Nausea.

In this case, regular measurement of pressure with a tonometer and additional studies as prescribed by a doctor will help to identify the disease.

For the accuracy of the diagnosis of "hypertension of the 1st degree", the pressure with a tonometer should be measured three times a day in a calm environment. Before the procedure, you should not drink alcohol, drink coffee, take a hot bath or play sports. With hypertension of the 1st degree, the readings of the tonometer fluctuate in the range of 140-159 mm Hg. Art. systolic pressure and 90-99 mm Hg. Art. - diastolic.

At the first stage, the pressure rises abruptly and can return to normal on its own. These signs are also characteristic of heart failure.

Arterial hypertension and heart failure

Hypertension is one of the main causes of heart failure. This is a condition in which the heart cannot fully perform its functions to ensure efficient blood flow. More often due to weakening of muscle tissue or a decrease in the elasticity of the walls of the chambers.

Against the background of arterial hypertension, heart failure can develop over the years.

With increased pressure, the heart works in an enhanced mode, trying to "pump" blood faster. Initially, it adapts by increasing the weight of the myocardium. But if hypertension is not treated for a long time, then the build-up of the heart muscle is replaced by the expansion of the organ chambers and tissue atrophy, resulting in heart failure.

Against the background of acute conditions (myocardial infarction), the death of functional cells occurs, and heart failure can develop in a few days or hours.

Symptoms of heart failure include:

1. Edema of the extremities.
2. Chronic fatigue and shortness of breath during vigorous physical activity.
3. Nausea.
4. In the supine position, breathing is difficult (a characteristic symptom, which is explained by an increase in blood flow to the heart and, accordingly, the load on it).
5. Frequent urination at night.

In the future, heart failure can lead to impaired blood circulation in the brain. This is reflected in the patient's psyche: irritability, insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day, depression appear.

Signs of heart failure may differ depending on which side of the heart is more affected.

There are 2 types of the disease:

• on the left type (left ventricular or left atrial insufficiency);
• on the right type (right ventricular failure).

Treatment of the disease is based on the elimination of its cause. In the acute or chronic form, hospitalization of the patient is required, as well as physical and mental rest. Drug therapy can significantly alleviate the patient's condition. At the primary stages, the pathology is curable, which cannot be said about neglected forms, when oxygen starvation of all organs develops. This condition can result in disability, and sometimes death of the patient.

Disability in hypertension

The body of a patient with high blood pressure requires more gentle working conditions:

• Excessive physical and mental stress can lead to a deterioration in the condition.
• Work at night for hypertensive patients is contraindicated at all.
• The same can be said about noisy production, as well as contact with toxic chemical compounds.

In addition, such an employee must undergo regular medical examinations and systematically visit a cardiologist. And sanatorium treatment in the summer will help restore health, improve the patient's condition.

A disability group is assigned depending on the degree of development and severity of the disease (presence of complications, hypertensive crises). To do this, it is necessary to submit labor documentation and a medical report for consideration by a special commission.

Hypertension of the 1st degree is characterized by short-term pressure surges, while the internal organs and heart are not damaged. Disability is uncharacteristic for this stage of the disease, as a result of which a disability group is rarely issued. But it is possible to improve working conditions in the form of barriers from night shifts and work associated with excessive psycho-emotional stress. In the case of a hypertensive crisis with 1 degree of the disease, you can get a sheet of temporary disability for a period of 3 to 7 days.

If the patient is diagnosed with "hypertension of the 2nd degree", then there is a high probability of getting a disability group. At this stage of development, the disease is characterized by pathological changes in the heart muscle.

Patients should:

• must be registered with the dispensary;
• undergo annual examinations;
• receive preventive treatment.

As a rule, they are assigned disability group 3 with a reduction in the working day to 7 hours and gentle working conditions.

At the 3rd degree of hypertension, disturbances in the functioning of internal organs (heart, kidneys, brain), eye damage occur. Hypertensive crises, speech disorders, limited ability to move independently are likely. Such a diagnosis implies deprivation of ability to work, assignment of 2 or 1 disability groups. In rare cases, patients with grade 3 hypertension keep their job, but do it in the most benign conditions or at home.

Registration of disability is a very painful process, but it is important for hypertensive patients to go through it in order to make it possible to have a good rest and restore health for later life.

Treatment of the disease

The first degree of arterial hypertension refers to those diseases that can be cured without medication by correcting the patient's lifestyle.

General rules

To get rid of the disease, you need to follow the following recommendations:

1. To refuse from bad habits. Smoking is one of the most unfavorable factors causing vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure. Abstinence from cigarettes significantly improves the patient's condition and increases the effectiveness of drug therapy, if prescribed.
2. Reduce body weight. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and are at risk for developing complications. In the treatment of hypertension, as well as for prevention, it is better to replace flour products, fatty foods, sweets with vegetables, fruits and juices. Do not get too carried away with salt, as it has the ability to retain fluid in the body. This leads to an increase in pressure and an imbalance of potassium, which is so necessary for the normalization of vascular tone.
3. Take vitamins. It is known that vitamin C helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, and vitamin E increases their elasticity. It is important to increase the amount of foods containing potassium in the diet, the benefits of which were mentioned above.
4. Avoid stressful situations. Since it is impossible to completely protect yourself from them, you can change your attitude towards some adverse factors and find your own way to relieve nervous tension. For example, walks in nature, yoga classes, communication with loved ones. The hormone adrenaline, which is released in stressful situations, causes vasospasm and increases blood pressure.
5. Workout. Physical activity has a beneficial effect on the heart muscle and reduces body weight. But before training, you should definitely consult with your doctor, who will help you choose an individual training program. It should be moderate, hypertensive patients are not recommended to engage in professional sports.

After establishing an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe auxiliary procedures:

• massage, manual therapy;
• psychotherapy (for the purpose of relaxation);
• acupuncture;
• decoctions and tinctures from medicinal plants (motherwort, hawthorn, astragalus, barberry and others);
• physiotherapy procedures that affect the hemodynamic and neurophysiological processes of the central nervous system (magnetotherapy, galvanization, electrosleep).

Medical treatment

If the above methods did not bring results, patients are prescribed medication therapy.

In the treatment of the disease, the following groups of drugs are used:

1. Calming agents (valerian, medicines based on bromine and magnesium).
2. Sympatholytics. Medicines that act on the central and peripheral nervous system lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
3. Diuretics (diuretics). Reduce swelling by removing sodium salts with excess fluid.
4. Peripheral vasodilators.
5. Substances affecting the reninangiotensive system.

As a rule, a combination of several medicines is prescribed. The use of synthetic drugs and the treatment of hypertension in any case should be under the supervision of a physician.

It is quite difficult to get rid of this unpleasant disease completely. Even stage 1 of development requires careful monitoring and an individual approach to treatment. Compliance with all medical recommendations and changes in diet and lifestyle will help return the tonometer readings to normal and protect yourself from serious complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis).