Risk factors for hypertension vary depending on the type of disease. There are two types: primary, or essential, and secondary hypertension. The first type occurs many times more often than the second - it is diagnosed in 95% of patients with hypertension, and its development is associated with three groups of factors: the general state of the body, lifestyle and heredity. 5% of patients suffer from secondary hypertension, and various pathologies of specific organs are a risk factor for its development. Some of the factors can be controlled to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Essential arterial hypertension is a multifactorial disease; in some cases it is not possible to accurately determine the cause of the pressure increase. The danger of the disease lies in the fact that its symptoms do not appear immediately - the reasons can undermine health gradually, imperceptibly. At the same time, even in a latent state, hypertension increases the risk of developing myocardial infarction and stroke.

Health status

One of the reasons for the development of hypertension is a deterioration in the elasticity of arterioles - small arterial vessels that transmit blood to the capillaries. Several factors affect the state of the vascular walls:

• aging of the body;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• heredity;
• inflammatory processes in tissues.

Blood composition is also important for vascular health. The weakening of the circulatory system is primarily associated with diabetes. Blood glucose is regulated by insulin, a hormone from the pancreas. If its secretion is reduced or it cannot perform its functions normally, the vessels are stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system more strongly than they dilate under the action of insulin, which leads to an increase in blood pressure.

In addition to the state of blood vessels, body weight affects the risk of hypertension. Obesity leads to the fact that the body requires more blood - because of this, the load on the heart and blood vessels increases. According to statistics, 85% of those suffering from this disease have a body mass index above normal. If obesity is combined with diabetes mellitus, this indicates a more complex metabolic syndrome - metabolic pathology, in which the destruction of vascular walls by cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose can lead to the development of atherosclerosis.

A risk factor for the development of hypertension is also sleep apnea - the cessation of breathing for 10 or more seconds during sleep. This happens with severe snoring, when the airways are completely blocked due to the pathology of their structure or other reasons. Each stop of breathing is a strong stress for the body, while the pressure rises to 200-250 mm Hg. Art. Regular attacks lead to chronic arterial hypertension.

Lifestyle

A poor lifestyle is a group of risk factors that are easiest to keep under control in order to prevent the onset of illness. These include:

• unhealthy diet, leading to an imbalance in the salt balance in the body;
• lack of physical activity;
• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• chronic stress.

Excessive consumption of table salt is a symptom that unites most people suffering from hypertension; risk factors are both high sodium concentration and low potassium content. Salts act on pressure from two sides: they cause vasoconstriction and retain water in the body. As a result, both the volume of blood and its pressure on the walls of the arteries increase. To avoid this, you need to eat no more than 5.8 g of salt per day.

A sedentary lifestyle not only leads to obesity. With a lack of activity, arrhythmia develops - the heart weakens, and it has to beat more often to pump blood in the right quantities, which increases the load on the entire cardiovascular system. During exercise, hormones are produced that strengthen the heart muscle and relax blood vessels, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

Tobacco increases blood pressure regardless of whether it is smoked, chewed or sniffed. The chemicals with which it is impregnated destroy blood vessels. Nicotine affects the circulatory system in a complex way - it accelerates the heartbeat, increases the load on the vessels, narrows the lumen of the arteries. Electronic cigarettes also do not save from this negative effect, although without the ingress of carbon monoxide, formed during tobacco burning, into the blood vessels, the vessels will still be healthier.

Alcohol destroys the heart muscle, which leads to increased blood pressure. Women are advised to drink no more than 0.5 liters of drinks with an alcohol content of 5% per day, men - no more than 1 liter up to 65 years old and no more than 0.5 liters - after 65 years.

Stress causes disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system and leads to a complex deterioration in the functioning of the body, including this also affects blood pressure. In addition, it is the background for the emergence of bad habits - overeating, smoking and alcoholism, which directly increase the risks of developing arterial hypertension.

Heredity

A family history is especially important in the diagnosis of hypertension; risk factors are usually the general environment (the environmental situation in the family's place of residence) and behavior (lifestyle factors are likely to be passed from parent to child), but primarily genes. Heredity is considered the main factor in the development of arterial hypertension: there are genes that cause an increase in the synthesis of renin, a kidney hormone that increases blood pressure.

Hypertension is associated with heredity in 30% of cases, so it is important to monitor family history and note all diseases diagnosed in close relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents) - this will help assess the risk of developing pathology and prevent it. If there is a risk, you need to control your lifestyle even more carefully.

Knowing all these factors, hypertension can be prevented by tracing the development of prehypertension - a condition in which blood pressure has borderline values \u200b\u200bbetween normal and dangerous.

In order to detect the disease in time, being at risk, or to monitor the state of health in case of hypertension, it is recommended to measure blood pressure twice a day: in the morning and in the evening, as well as when you feel unwell.

Risk factors for secondary hypertension

If primary hypertension develops against the background of a general deterioration in the state of the body and, in particular, the circulatory system, then the risk factors for the development of secondary type arterial hypertension are specific diseases of the kidneys, endocrine glands and the cardiovascular system.

Kidney disease

The main renal pathology leading to an increase in blood pressure is a decrease in the lumen of the renal artery. It can be congenital or develop later in life. The main reasons for the lifetime development of pathology:

• thickening of the smooth muscles of the artery - occurs in young women;
• atherosclerosis - in old age.

Because of this disease, the blood flow in the kidney worsens, the reaction to which is an increase in the secretion of renin and angiotensin. Together with the adrenal hormone aldosterone, they lead to an increase in vascular tone and an increase in blood pressure. For the treatment of pathology, the vessel is mechanically expanded and strengthened by a frame.

In addition, changes in the hormonal background can be influenced by chronic pathological processes in the kidneys - pyelonephritis, the formation of stones in the bladder, etc. The opposite reaction can also occur - hypertension leads to diseases of the urinary system.

Tumors of the adrenal glands

Occasionally, adrenal diseases lead to an increase in arterial tone. These include the development of neoplasms that increase the production of hormones:

1. Aldosteroma - produces aldosterone. In addition to hypertension, this also leads to increased excretion of potassium from the body.
2. Pheochromocytoma - produces adrenaline, which speeds up the heartbeat, which leads to an increase in blood pressure. Additional symptoms are hot flashes, flushing of the skin, and increased sweating.

In both cases, treatment consists of removing the adrenal glands.

Thyroid dysfunction

In secondary hypertension, risk factors may be some diseases of the thyroid gland: diffuse goiter, nodular goiter. They lead to thyrotoxicosis - an increase in the production of thyroid hormones. These biologically active substances regulate the body's metabolism; with an excess of them, the heartbeat increases, which leads to an increase in blood pressure.

Taking medications

In addition to diseases, the cause of secondary hypertension can be the intake of various medications and other substances. These include:

• antidepressants;
• drops and sprays for rhinitis;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• oral contraceptives;
• corticosteroids;

• narcotic substances - cocaine, amphetamines;
• Erythropoietin - hematopoietic stimulant;
• asthma medications;
• drugs for hypertension - when canceled, they can cause a sharp increase in pressure.

If hypertension is caused by medications, it is worth consulting with your doctor and replacing the medications you are taking with analogues with fewer side effects.

Other risks of developing the disease

There are others risk factors for hypertension... Unlike diseases and lifestyles, they cannot be eliminated or controlled.

Race is one such factor. Studies show that in the black race, arterial hypertension is more common and develops earlier than in whites, Hispanics, Asians, etc.

The gender of the person also affects - in men, the risk of hypertension is higher, especially in adulthood and older age. Women are at risk during menopause, as well as during pregnancy. The risk increases with age in both sexes. If before the age of 29 the probability of developing the disease does not exceed 10%, then at the age of 60–69 it reaches 50%.

Most of the world's population is exposed to risk factors for hypertension at one time or another in their lives. In the United States, according to studies, 9 out of 10 people sooner or later fall ill with it, and this is due in most cases to an unhealthy lifestyle. Getting rid of bad habits, getting regular checkups with your doctor, and monitoring your blood pressure are the best ways to keep yourself safe.

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Is it possible to go to the bathhouse with hypertension?

Hypertension is one of the most popular ailments of our time. It is caused by the pathology of the cardiovascular system, accompanied by unpleasant painful sensations and entails serious and severe consequences.

In this article, we will analyze the risk factors and its prevention. This will help you take the necessary steps to prevent this disease in yourself or your loved ones.

In addition, by reading this article, you will learn the degrees, symptoms and treatment of hypertension, its diagnosis, and how to measure blood pressure correctly.

But let's start in order - risk factors for its pathogenesis.

What is hypertension

Hypertensive disease, or arterial hypertension, is one of the most popular diseases of our time, accompanied by an increase in blood pressure.

About a third of the world's population suffers from this disease. This disease is very insidious, since its visible signs may not remind of themselves for a long time, while a complex process of disease progression has already begun in the walls of the vessels.

What happens during hypertension?

The mechanism of manifestation of the disease

The pathogenesis of hypertension is complex and not fully understood. It is based on the deformation of blood vessels, which results in metabolic disorders. Because of this, the heart and brain can no longer fully perform their functions, a spasm of blood vessels occurs, blood viscosity occurs, arterioles do not expand and stop responding to blood changes. This situation leads to undesirable consequences - the vessels of the kidneys, brain and heart are affected.

Since the pathogenesis of hypertension has not yet been determined, scientists cannot establish what exactly the disease begins with and what are the actual causes of its occurrence.

Nevertheless, there are a number of factors that can provoke the disease, the so-called risks of arterial hypertension. Let's take a closer look at them.

Unmodifiable causes of hypertension

Risk factors for hypertension are classified according to two indicators: unchangeable and variable. Immutable are those that a person cannot influence. Variables are those that depend on a person, his decisions and lifestyle.

The first are:

1. Heredity. In most cases, arterial hypertension is a gene-transmitted disease and belongs to diseases with a hereditary predisposition. That is, if someone in the family suffered from hypertension, it is likely that the next generation will be exposed to this ailment.
2. Physiological factor. It is estimated that middle-aged men are more prone to hypertension than women. This is due to the fact that in the period from twenty to fifty years, the female body produces the sex hormones estrogens, which perform a protective function. However, with the onset of menopause, this process ends, and since then women also begin to be at risk of arterial disease.

And yet, although the risk factors listed above are considered immutable, you can do everything in your power to keep unnecessary risks to a minimum.

Heredity. It is important to remember here that diseases with a hereditary predisposition do not transmit the disease itself, but only a tendency towards it. That is, the onset of the disease is caused not by one factor, but by a number of reasons. They can be influenced by a person if he carefully monitors his habits, diet, lifestyle and working conditions.

Let us also clarify that kidney diseases, which provoke hypertension, can be inherited. In this case, it is also important to carefully and scrupulously monitor your health.

Physiological factor. Yes, most often men of working age suffer from hypertension, but this does not mean that they cannot protect themselves from the disease.

First of all, the disease chooses those who do not monitor their health, spend a lot of time at work and abuse alcohol and tobacco. Therefore, men can protect themselves from the complications of high blood pressure if they devote enough time to their well-being, devote less energy to professional pursuits and get rid of bad habits.

It is also important to remember that hypertension loves excess weight and poor nutrition, as well as those who are chasing recognition and honor, sacrificing sleep and personal life for the sake of ambition and ambition.

Modifiable causes of hypertension

Risk factors for hypertension include:

• excess weight;
• passive lifestyle;
• stress;
• bad habits;
• consuming large amounts of salt, caffeine, cholesterol;
• insomnia;
• lifting weights;
• fluctuating weather;
• medicines, etc.

Let's dwell on some of the factors listed and find out what is

Overweight and a sedentary lifestyle lead to obesity and serious disruption of important organs, which increases the risk of hypertension.

In order to influence these unseemly factors, it is important to adhere to proper nutrition (avoid large amounts of fatty, fried, sweet foods) and follow moderate activity (walking for at least an hour a day, walking in the fresh air, exercising or gymnastics).

The following risk factors for hypertension are bad habits... It has been established that the daily use of alcohol and tobacco provokes many severe chronic diseases, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.

What is the maximum consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products? Of course, everyone must establish their own boundaries of what is permitted. Moreover, it was found that a complete rejection of nicotine and drugs will improve a person's health several times, especially if he is at risk.

And yet it is believed that for a healthy person, the limits of moderate alcohol consumption can be: half a liter of beer a day, three hundred grams of wine or fifty grams of vodka.

With regard to cigarettes, it was found that if you smoke more than twenty pieces a day, it will triple the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and become a threat of sudden death.

Another important factor in the development of arterial hypertension is the use of large amounts of salt, caffeine and cholesterol. Why is it so dangerous?

The fact is that salt, caffeine and cholesterol (in large quantities) contribute to the blockage of blood vessels, impair the functioning of the liver and kidneys, and increase the heart rate.

It is estimated that the daily salt rate is only five grams, and the dose of caffeine is 0.1 grams.

How to protect yourself from harmful products? First of all, we repeat, it is important to avoid fatty and fried foods, and you should also limit yourself to a small cup of coffee.

To reduce the risk of hypertension, it is important to eat foods that lower cholesterol and sodium chloride levels. First of all, these are products such as sea fish, sunflower and corn oils, vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits, parsley and dill, raisins and dried apricots.

An important strategic value in increasing pressure is also stressful situations, which most often provoke hypertensive crises. Of course, in everyday life it is impossible to completely get rid of nervous situations and overexcitation. However, you can control yourself and your emotions so that they do not "go off scale" and do not cause negative consequences (palpitations, vascular spasms, high blood pressure).

To do this, you can carry with you light sedatives that are suitable exclusively for you (valerian, Validol, Corvalol and others). Also, when emotions get the better of the mind, you should force yourself to switch to something else, think about the pleasant, or count to ten.

What if you are in constant psychological stress and are unable to change the situation? Then you need to change your attitude to this problem. Don't try to take on too much. Don't dwell on the negative. And of course, do your emotional relaxation on a regular basis: take a walk in the park, watch a comedy, cook something delicious, take up a hobby, or just get some sleep.

The next risk factor for hypertension can be mentioned lifting weights... If you are doing this by profession and suffer from high blood pressure, it is worth considering changing your working conditions to lighter ones. If we are talking about the prevention of high blood pressure, remember that while lifting a heavy load it is important to hold your breath, and between physical exertion you should breathe evenly and calmly.

So, we briefly discussed many of the causes of hypertension, and also found out what needs to be done to eliminate and exclude them.

Now let's find out the answers to such questions: how to measure blood pressure correctly? What pressure is life threatening? And how is hypertension classified?

Correct pressure measurement

If you have a tendency to high blood pressure, it is very important to have a blood pressure monitor at home and always at hand.

The following are basic rules for accurate pressure measurement:

The step-by-step algorithm of the pressure measurement procedure depends on whether you have a mechanical or automatic tonometer. Before using the device, be sure to read the instructions or consult your doctor.

What should be the normal pressure?

Blood pressure rate by age

It is believed that the ideal pressure indicators are 120/80, but these standards are exaggerated and stereotyped. In reality, much depends on the physiological data of the patient, his age and gender.

Below is a table in accordance with which you can determine the blood pressure rate for a particular patient.

But, of course, even this table in practice can be far from perfect, since many factors and indicators affect a person's working blood pressure.

What to do if you find that your blood pressure is higher than the specified standards?

First of all, there is no need to panic and diagnose yourself. It is important to contact a specialist who will conduct the necessary diagnostics and only then establish whether high blood pressure is a sign of hypertension, or if the whole thing is in something else.

This behavior is correct, since not always high pressure readings indicate arterial hypertension. Conversely, low rates may not recognize a hypertensive crisis.

What are the symptoms and diagnosis of hypertension?

Symptoms of the disease

As the hypertension progresses, the patient develops the following symptoms:

• high pressure 160 to 100 and more;
• severe headache and periodic dizziness;
• weakness and fatigue;
• noise and ringing in the ears or head;
• darkening, “gray spots” in the eyes;
• feeling of fear and overexcitement.

The combination of these symptoms will help determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

To do this in the best way, some additional surveys will need to be done.

Diagnosing hypertension

First of all, in order to see an objective picture of the patient's well-being, it is important to establish control over his blood pressure. To do this, during the day, the tonometer readings are recorded on both hands with an interval of one to two hours.

The diagnosis of hypertension is also carried out in laboratory studies. First of all, you will need to pass a blood and urine test for potassium, glucose, creatine and cholesterol.

In addition, you will be asked to take an ECG and ultrasound of the heart, as well as examinations of other important organs (to determine complications).

During the diagnosis of the disease, the stage of the disease and the degree of hypertension will be established.

Classification of arterial hypertension

In medicine, there are four stages of hypertension, which differ from each other in symptoms and complications of the underlying disease. It:

1. Preclinical stage. There are no pronounced symptoms, the patient is unaware of an increase in pressure.
2. First stage. The pressure rises sharply, but the internal organs have not yet been affected.
3. Second stage. There is a gradual defeat of important organs (heart, eyes, kidneys are affected).
4. Stage Three. It is accompanied by severe heart disease, pathological changes in the organs of vision and blood vessels.

In contrast to the stages, the classification of the degrees of hypertension is based on the readings of the tonometer. In total, three degrees of development of the disease are determined:

1. determined by pressure fluctuations between 140/90 and 149/99.
2. due to the indicators of pressure intervals of 160 to 100 and 179 to 109.
3. The third degree is the most critical. Blood pressure rises above the 180/100 index and brings with it many complications and pain.

Most often, only the degree of hypertension is indicated in the diagnostic conclusions. However, sometimes one more figure is added to the indicators (from 1 to 4), which can mean the determination of the risk of the underlying disease.

How to recognize this in practice?

For example, if a patient is diagnosed with grade 1 hypertension, then this indicates that his blood pressure indicators are not critical. However, this does not mean that there is no threat to health at all. For example, if a patient has suffered a stroke, then the number "4" is added to the diagnosis, which means the maximum risk of developing hypertension. If the patient is relatively healthy, but abuses tobacco, then the number “1” will be added to the main diagnosis.

Or another example. How to decipher the diagnosis: “Hypertension grade 3, risk 4”? This means that the patient's blood pressure has exceeded 180/100 and that the patient is in a serious risk zone, that is, has a very high probability of complications. In this case, the sick person is offered urgent hospitalization and inpatient treatment.

What can it be?

Treatment of hypertension

First of all, it is important to lower blood pressure, but this must be done carefully and gradually, so as not to provoke irreparable failures in the body.

The attending doctor prescribes a specific plan for taking medications, individually choosing the dosage and combination of drugs. The effect of medications will extend not only to lowering pressure, but also to blocking the risk (protecting internal organs from complications).

In parallel with pharmacological treatment, a diet is prescribed, which the patient will need to strictly follow. And also recommendations will be given regarding changes in lifestyle or working conditions.

Some of the principles of treatment may be difficult for you to come to terms with. However, remember that health is more important than the usual rhythm of life and personal preferences. Never forget: your health is in your hands!

Hypertension (arterial hypertension) - the most common pathology of the cardiovascular system. The disease is most susceptible to people over 60 years of age. Hypertension is characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure above 140 to 90 mm Hg.

The exact causes of hypertension are unknown. But doctors say that there are a number of predisposing factors for the development of the disease. So, people suffering from overweight are most susceptible to hypertension. Bad habits also negatively affect the cardiovascular system.

Alcohol addiction and smoking increase the likelihood of hypertension progression by 30-60%. Nutrition is an equally important aspect. According to cardiologists, people who consume excessive amounts of pickles, black tea, coffee, and fatty foods are most susceptible to hypertension. It happens that arterial hypertension is a consequence of diseases of the urinary or endocrine systems.

The characteristic symptoms of hypertension are:

1. Pain in the chest. Often the pain syndrome is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and a tingling sensation.
2. Dizziness and headaches. Moreover, the patient has an increased sensitivity to external stimuli. Even minor noises can increase dizziness and pain in the back of the head.
3. Puffiness. The arms and legs are usually swollen. An interesting fact is that swelling is much more common in women with hypertension.
4. Noise in the head. Usually, this symptom appears only when the pressure rises. If the blood pressure indicators in hypertensive patients normalize, the symptom will disappear.
5. Memory impairment, increased fatigue, blurred vision.
6. Nausea.

To diagnose hypertension, a patient needs to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. The survey provides for monitoring the stability of the increase in blood pressure. This is necessary in order to exclude the secondary nature of hypertension. Diagnostics complements ECG, chest X-ray, urine and blood tests. It is imperative to take a blood test for cholesterol, HDL, LDL.

Hypertension treatment - complex and symptomatic. It provides for the use of hypotonic medications. Thiazide diuretics, sartans, ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists, beta-blockers are usually used.

The patient must follow a diet. Diet therapy involves giving up alcohol, fatty meats, fried foods, pickles, smoked meats, any semi-finished products and some spices. The diet should consist mainly of vegetables, fruits, berries, fresh herbs, lean meat, legumes, cereals. It is allowed to use green tea and freshly squeezed fruit drinks.

To increase the effectiveness of therapy, you need to supplement it with moderate physical activity. Exercise therapy, walking, yoga, breathing exercises, swimming are perfect. It is advisable to avoid increased physical exertion, and during exercise, monitor the pulse and general well-being.

In this article, your attention will be provided with information on the main mechanisms of the formation of this pathology, as well as the most important factors that are involved in the development of hypertension.

There are actually a lot of reasons for the development of this pathology, and they are all very diverse. Depending on the reasons that lead to the development of this disease, the following forms of hypertension are distinguished:

• Hemodynamic arterial hypertension is the result of circulatory disorders inside the heart, as well as through the arteries. This type of arterial hypertension is observed, as a rule, in the presence of atherosclerosis or in pathologies accompanied by damage to the valvular apparatus of the heart.
• Neurogenic arterial hypertension - develops against the background of a violation of the nervous mechanisms of pressure regulation. Most often it is observed in encephalopathy due to atherosclerosis, and brain tumors.
• Endocrine arterial hypertension - occurs as a result of diseases of the endocrine system, which are accompanied by excessive release of hormones, which tend to increase blood pressure. In this case, we are talking about such ailments as: toxic goiter, Itsenko-Cushing's disease, reninoma, pheochromocytoma .
• Medicinal arterial hypertension - occurs as a result of taking medications that increase blood pressure.
• Nephrogenic arterial hypertension is a consequence of various kidney pathologies, in which there is a destruction of the renal tissue or impaired blood circulation within this organ. This form of hypertension can be observed with pyelonephritis, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries, after removal of the kidneys, with glomerulonephritis.

All of the above forms of this disease are accompanied by violations of pressure regulation. It is believed that essential hypertension occurs due to genetic disorders in which the balance of electrolytes in the extracellular environment or inside the cell is lost. The symptomatic types of this disease make themselves felt against the background of violations of the neurohumoral mechanisms of pressure regulation, which in turn arise due to various pathologies in the body.

Predisposing factors play an important role in the formation of this pathology. All factors of this kind represent certain conditions of both the internal and external environment. It is these conditions that provoke the accelerated development of this disease, since they are inherent in disrupting the work of internal organs, as well as metabolism. The main risk factors for this disease include:

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/ Risk factors for hypertension

Hypertension - risk factors.

It should be noted that there are a number of conditions that affect the onset and development of high blood pressure. Therefore, before considering those risk factors that affect the occurrence of arterial hypertension, we recall that there are two types of this disease:

Primary arterial hypertension (essential) is the most common type of hypertension. It accounts for up to 95% of all types of arterial hypertension. The causes of essential hypertension are very diverse, that is, many factors affect its occurrence.

Secondary arterial hypertension (symptomatic) - accounts for only 5% of all cases of hypertension. The reason is usually a specific pathology of a particular organ (heart, kidneys, thyroid gland, and others).

Essential hypertension risk factors

As already mentioned, essential hypertension is the most common type of hypertension, although its cause is not always identified. However, some characteristic relationships have been identified in people with this type of hypertension.

Excess salt in food.

Currently, scientists have reliably established that there is a close relationship between the level of blood pressure and the amount of salt consumed daily by a person. Essential hypertension develops only in groups with high salt intake, more than 5.8 g per day.

In fact, in some cases, excessive salt intake can be an important risk factor. For example, excessive salt intake can increase the risk of hypertension in the elderly, Africans, people with obesity, genetic predisposition, and kidney failure.

Sodium plays an important role in the onset of hypertension. About a third of cases of essential hypertension are associated with increased sodium intake. This is due to the fact that sodium is able to retain water in the body. Excess fluid in the bloodstream leads to an increase in blood pressure.

The genetic factor is considered to be the main one in the development of essential hypertension, although the genes responsible for the occurrence of this disease have not yet been discovered by scientists. Scientists are currently investigating the genetic factors that affect the renin-angiotensin system - the one that is involved in the synthesis of renin, a biologically active substance that increases blood pressure. It is found in the kidneys.

Approximately 30% of cases of essential hypertension are associated with genetic factors. If relatives of the first degree (parents, grandmothers, grandfathers, brothers and sisters), then the development of arterial hypertension is highly likely. The risk increases even more if two or more relatives had high blood pressure. Very rarely, a genetic disease from the adrenal glands can lead to arterial hypertension.

Men are more prone to the development of arterial hypertension, especially when they get older. However, after menopause, the risk increases significantly in women. The risk of developing hypertension in women increases during menopause. This is due to a violation of the hormonal balance in the body during this period and an aggravation of nervous and emotional reactions. According to research data, hypertension develops in 60% of cases in women during the climacteric period. In the remaining 40%, during menopause, blood pressure is also steadily increased, but these changes disappear when the difficult time for women is over.

It is also a fairly common risk factor. With age, an increase in the number of collagen fibers is noted in the walls of blood vessels. As a result, the wall of the arteries thickens, they lose their elasticity, and the diameter of their lumen decreases.

High blood pressure most often develops in people over 35 years old, and the older a person is, the higher his blood pressure is, as a rule. Hypertension in men aged 20-29 occurs in 9.4% of cases, and in 40-49 years - already in 35% of cases. When they reach 60-69 years of age, this figure rises to 50%.

It should be taken into account that before the age of 40, men suffer from hypertension much more often than women. After 40 years, the ratio changes in the other direction. Although hypertension is called "the disease of the autumn of a person's life," today hypertension has become much younger: more and more often people who are not old yet suffer from it.

In a large number of patients with essential hypertension: there is an increase in resistance (that is, loss of elasticity) of the smallest arteries - arterioles. The arterioles then pass into the capillaries. Loss of elasticity of arterioles and leads to increased blood pressure. However, the reason for this change in arterioles is unknown. It was noted that such changes are typical for persons with essential hypertension associated with genetic factors, physical inactivity, excessive salt intake and aging. In addition, inflammation plays a role in the occurrence of arterial hypertension, therefore, the detection of C-reactive protein in the blood can serve as a prognostic indicator.

Renin is a biologically active substance produced by the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidneys. Its effect is associated with an increase in arterial tone, which causes an increase in blood pressure. Essential hypertension can be high or low in renin. For example, African Americans have low renin levels in essential hypertension, so diuretics are more effective in treating hypertension.

Stress and mental strain.

Stress is understood as the presence of changes that occur in the body in response to extremely strong irritation. Stress is the body's response to the strong influence of environmental factors. Under stress, the process includes those parts of the central nervous system that ensure its interaction with the environment. But most often, a disorder of the functions of the central nervous system develops as a result of prolonged mental stress, which, moreover, occurs in unfavorable conditions.

With frequent mental trauma, negative stimuli, the stress hormone adrenaline makes the heart beat faster, pumping more blood volume per unit of time, as a result of which the pressure rises. If stress continues for a long time, then the constant load wears out the vessels, and the increase in blood pressure becomes chronic.

The fact that smoking is capable of causing the development of many diseases is so obvious that it does not require detailed consideration. Nicotine primarily affects the heart and blood vessels.

A very common risk factor. Overweight people have higher blood pressure than lean people. Obese people are 5 times more likely to develop hypertension than those who are of normal weight. More than 85% of patients with arterial hypertension have a body mass index\u003e 25.

It has been established that diabetes mellitus is a reliable and significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Insulin is a hormone produced by the cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It regulates the level of glucose in the blood and promotes its transfer into cells. In addition, this hormone has some vasodilating properties. Normally, insulin can stimulate sympathetic activity without causing an increase in blood pressure. However, in more severe cases, such as diabetes mellitus, the stimulating sympathetic activity may exceed the vasodilating effect of insulin.

It has been noted that snoring can also be a risk of essential hypertension.

Risk factors for secondary hypertension.

As already noted, in 5% of cases of arterial hypertension, it is secondary, that is, associated with any specific pathology of organs or systems, for example, kidneys, heart, aorta and blood vessels. Renovascular hypertension and other kidney diseases.

One of the causes of this pathology is a narrowing of the renal artery that feeds the kidney. At a young age, especially in women, this narrowing of the lumen of the renal artery can be caused by a thickening of the muscular wall of the artery (fibromuscular hyperplasia). In older age, this narrowing can be caused by atherosclerotic plaques, which are found in atherosclerosis.

Renovascular hypertension is usually suspected when arterial hypertension is detected at a young age or when arterial hypertension re-emerges in old age. Diagnosis of this pathology includes radioisotope scanning, ultrasound (namely, Doppler) and MRI of the renal artery. The purpose of these research methods is to determine the presence of narrowing of the renal artery and the possibility of the effectiveness of angioplasty. However, if, according to the ultrasound of the renal vessels, an increase in their resistance is noted, angioplasty may be ineffective, since the patient already has renal failure. If any of these research methods show signs of pathology, renal angiography is performed. This is the most accurate and reliable method for diagnosing renovascular hypertension.

Balloon angioplasty is most often performed in vasorenal hypertension. In this case, a special catheter with an inflatable balloon at the end is inserted into the lumen of the renal artery. When the level of constriction is reached, the balloon inflates and the vessel lumen expands. In addition, a stent is installed at the site of the narrowing of the artery, which, as it were, serves as a frame and does not prevent narrowing of the vessel.

In addition, any other chronic kidney disease (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, urolithiasis) can cause an increase in blood pressure due to hormonal changes.

It is also important to know that not only does kidney disease lead to high blood pressure, but hypertension itself can cause kidney disease. Therefore, all patients with high blood pressure should have their kidneys checked.

One of the rare causes of secondary arterial hypertension can be two rare types of adrenal tumors - aldosteroma and pheochromocytoma. The adrenal glands are paired endocrine glands. Each adrenal gland is located above the upper pole of the kidney. Both types of these tumors are characterized by the production of adrenal hormones that affect blood pressure. Diagnosis of these tumors is based on blood, urine, ultrasound, CT, and MRI data. The treatment of these tumors is to remove the adrenal glands - adrenalectomy.

Aldosteroma is a tumor that causes primary aldosteronism, a condition in which the level of aldosterone in the blood rises. In addition to an increase in blood pressure, this disease has a significant loss of potassium in the urine.

Hyperaldosteronism is suspected primarily in patients with high blood pressure and signs of decreased blood potassium levels.

Another type of adrenal tumor is pheochromocytoma. This type of tumor produces an excess amount of the hormone adrenaline, resulting in high blood pressure. This disease is characterized by sudden attacks of high blood pressure, accompanied by hot flashes, redness of the skin, increased heart rate and sweating. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma is based on blood and urine tests and the determination of the level of adrenaline and its metabolite, vanillyl mandelic acid.

Coarctation of the aorta is a rare congenital disorder that is the most common cause of hypertension in children. With coarctation of the aorta, there is a narrowing of a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe aorta, the main artery of our body. Typically, such constriction is determined above the level of discharge from the aorta of the renal arteries, which leads to a decrease in blood flow in the kidneys. This, in turn, leads to activation of the renin-angiotensin system in the kidneys, thereby increasing renin production. In the treatment of this disease, sometimes balloon angioplasty, the same as in the treatment of renovascular hypertension, or surgery can be used.

Metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of genetic disorders in the form of diabetes mellitus and obesity. These conditions contribute to the onset of atherosclerosis, which affects the condition of blood vessels, the thickening of their walls and narrowing of the lumen, which also leads to an increase in blood pressure.

Diseases of the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is a small endocrine gland whose hormones regulate all metabolism. With diseases such as diffuse goiter or nodular goiter, the level of thyroid hormones in the blood may increase. The effect of these hormones leads to an increased heart rate, which manifests itself in an increase in blood pressure.

Drugs causing arterial hypertension.

In most cases, arterial hypertension is so-called. essential, or primary character. This means that the cause of arterial hypertension in this case cannot be identified.

Secondary arterial hypertension occurs for specific reasons. And among one of the causes of high blood pressure are medications that are prescribed for one reason or another.

Drugs that can cause high blood pressure include:

Some medicines used for colds

Some oral contraceptives

Nasal sprays used for the common cold

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,

Appetite increasing drugs,

Cyclosporine is a drug that is prescribed to patients who have undergone a donor organ transplant.

Erythropoietin is a biologically active substance that is prescribed to stimulate blood formation.

Some aerosol medications for asthma.

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🔻🔻The most important risk factors for the development of hypertension

Arterial hypertension is a chronic form of the disease that cannot be permanently cured. The stages of remission are replaced by exacerbations, and if drug treatment is abandoned, serious complications can be provoked. There are certain prerequisites leading to the formation of a pathological process.

The main risk factors for the formation of cardiovascular pathologies

All prerequisites for the onset of the development of arterial hypertension are divided into two main subspecies:

• modified or acquired - can appear throughout life, through the fault of the patient himself;
• unmodified or congenital - does not depend on the person's lifestyle and is considered a natural and inevitable factor for the formation of hypertension.

Acquired risk factors

Refers to a subgroup of reasons that can be dealt with. The number of exogenous factors is significant, but each of them is easy to adjust. Without efforts on the part of the patient and unwillingness to change habits, the root causes of the development of the pathological process will take effect, and the gradual formation of the disease will begin.

Risk factors for arterial hypertension are:

Insufficient physical activity

The civilized society is subject to hypertension everywhere. The amount of physical activity, insufficient for the normal functioning of the body, became normal. Constant work in the office, rest at the computer and TV, refusal to walk - all these indicators gradually reduce muscle tone, relax the cardiovascular department.

The habit of moving exclusively in vehicles - personal or public, lack of time for sports training and visiting fitness clubs played a role in the decrease in physical activity. The constant absence of the required loads gradually leads to:

• disorders in the muscular system;
• weakening of the respiratory department;
• deterioration of general and local blood circulation.

These factors lead to the development of a rapid heartbeat or an increase in blood pressure with the slightest physical exertion. Stressful situations force blood pressure levels to rise to maximum levels, and their constant presence provokes the gradual development of hypertension.

Overweight

Increased weight appears against the background of physical inactivity and a violation of the correct diet. If the total body mass index exceeds 30 units, then its owner should seriously think about the possible consequences. These figures indicate the presence of obesity and a high risk of developing arterial hypertension - twice. Male-type obesity should cause special concern - with an increase in fatty tissue in the abdomen.

If a man's waist exceeds 94 cm, and a woman's - 80 cm, then this type of obesity is implied. The second option for determining the abdominal type of obesity is by the ratio of the circumference of the waist and hips. For men, the top indicator is 1 unit, for women - 0.8 units.

People who are prone to rapid weight gain often suffer from high cholesterol levels in the blood stream. An excess amount leads to the formation of atherosclerotic changes in the vessels and a narrowing of their lumen. An increase in the stiffness of the walls of the arteries, a delayed reaction to external stimuli provokes a periodic increase in blood pressure.

Uncontrolled use of table salt

The high risk of hypertension is provoked by an excessive love of sodium chloride. The permitted daily amount of salt should not exceed 5 grams. In fact, some people can use up to 18 grams of "white death" per day. Enhanced salting of food products occurs spontaneously, without any need.

Salty food causes a constant feeling of thirst, and sodium ions tend to delay the elimination of fluid from the body. Large volumes of fluid cause congestion and an increase in the volume of circulating blood. The result of the pathological condition is an acceleration of the contraction of the heart muscle and an increase in blood pressure.

Sodium ions outside the cellular structures lead to an increase in the amount of calcium inside them. Following is an increase in vascular muscle tone and a gradual increase in blood pressure.

Lack of magnesium and potassium

These trace elements are necessary for the body for the normal functionality of the heart muscle and blood vessels. With their help, it is reduced, the prevention of the formation of atherosclerotic changes. The main task of magnesium is to relax the smooth muscles of the walls of arterial vessels, with the aim of expanding them and lowering elevated blood pressure.

Potassium is a sodium ion antagonist substance. When excessive amounts of salt are supplied, potassium reduces the negative reactions of the body to their presence. With a deficiency of potassium, the opposite result occurs - the effectiveness of sodium will be several times higher. Insufficient intake of food products enriched with potassium and magnesium, their rapid loss (against the background of the use of diuretic drugs), can be a precursor to the development of arterial hypertension.

Nicotine addiction

The negative effects of the strongest cardiotoxin are experienced by all smoking patients. When elements contained in tobacco smoke are inhaled, they quickly spread throughout the body and negatively affect a certain type of receptor. Enhanced release of adrenaline into the blood stream contributes to an increase in the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle and an increase in blood pressure.

The active substance provokes vasospasm, having a negative effect on the state of the vascular walls. At this point, the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and blood clots begin. In chronic patients, an accelerated process of atherosclerosis formation and an increased risk of death due to the emerging acute myocardial infarctions and strokes are recorded.

The most important problem of nicotine addiction is the difficulty of weaning from its main active substance, which is a drug. Passive smoking of family members also negatively affects their health - they are at increased risk for the development of pathological conditions of the cardiovascular department.

Alcohol addiction

People who drink alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks are more likely to be affected by pressure jumps than anyone else. Clinical studies show that daily use of the desired product increases the working pressure by 6 units.

Increased dosages of alcoholic beverages disrupt the functionality of the nervous system, which is responsible for stabilizing the vascular tone. The initial expansion of the lumen of the arteries is replaced by a sharp spasm. Alcohol abuse often ends with the development of a spontaneous hypertensive crisis.

Ethanol and its derivatives cause enhanced performance of the adrenal glands, under the influence of which adrenaline is released into the bloodstream. Alcoholic beverages are often used with foodstuffs containing an increased amount of table salt. An excess of sodium ions leads to the development of stagnation (fluid accumulation) and a subsequent increase in blood pressure.

Ethanol itself disrupts metabolic metabolic processes in the heart, which are factors in the occurrence of arrhythmias, insufficient functionality of the heart muscle. Thrombus formation occurs in both large and small vessels, and the total amount of cholesterol increases in the blood stream. The gradual influence of negative factors contributes to the occurrence of atherosclerotic changes.

The constant use of alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages leads to the formation of acute myocardial infarction and circulatory disorders in the brain.

Dyslipidemia

Excessive intake of cholesterol in the body is caused by an incorrectly selected daily composition and nutritional norm. An excess of lipids leads to the development of atherosclerosis on the walls of large and small vessels. Cholesterol level does not depend on total body weight - heredity and metabolic disorders play the main role in pathology.

Stress

Psycho-emotional outbursts caused by an unstable state against a background of stressful situations lead to an increase in the activity of the sympathetic part of the nervous system. The release of adrenaline into the blood stream is accompanied by spasm of peripheral vessels, with increased blood supply to the parts of the brain and heart muscle. Under the influence of the hormone, an increase in heart rate and an increase in blood output are noted.

As a result, sodium ions are retained in the renal tubules and fluid retention in the body. The increase in total blood volume leads to the effects characteristic of excess volumes of sodium ions. Stressful situations have a widespread effect on internal organs and systems, together leading to a gradual increase in the level of blood pressure.

The chronic variant of the pathology is one of the root causes of the formation of persistent hypertension.

Medicines

The development of hypertension can provoke an uncontrolled intake of medications. Subgroups of agents and exogenous substances are presented in the table:

Congenital risk factors

Unchangeable causes of increased risk include:

Age period

In males, the development of the disease is recorded after 55 years, in females, transformations are noted upon reaching the age of 65. With age, irreversible changes occur in the functionality of the body. The possible development of complications (with identical BP figures) in older people is 10 times higher than in middle-aged people and 100 times higher than in young people. In the elderly age period, constant monitoring of pressure marks, timely referral to a cardiologist and accurate implementation of the prescribed treatment are necessary.

Hereditary predisposition

With a history of data on similar pathological conditions of the cardiovascular department and other diseases of the vessels and heart muscle, the risk of arterial hypertension doubles. If close people had acute myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease and other ailments, then in younger relatives, the risk of complications increases significantly.

In addition to the theoretical possibility of the formation of hypertension and its complications, the genetic factor may inherit a tendency to constantly increased volumes of cholesterol in the blood stream. The development of the disease under the influence of the desired factor will take place at an accelerated pace.

Gender

The male sex is more often prone to the formation of hypertension against the background of constant stressful situations. The clinical picture changes dramatically when women reach the age of 65 years. From this point on, the risk of developing the disease is equal in both sexes.

In women, pathological abnormalities are more often manifested as a result of age-related or surgical menopause.

Prevention methods

1. Periodic physical activity is needed to train muscles, improve the general condition of the body. Experts advise to walk more often in the fresh air, go in for swimming, jogging.
2. Reducing the amount of table salt entering the body - sodium chloride is already present in many ready-made food products. Taking into account these receipts, the daily salt intake should not exceed 5 grams.
3. Avoiding constant stressful situations.
4. Refusal from alcoholic, low-alcoholic beverages and tobacco products - if necessary, the patient can seek qualified help from a narcologist.
5. Restricting the intake of animal fats in the body - for complete prevention, the usual diet should be revised. Fresh fruits and vegetables fortified with vitamins and minerals should be added to the daily menu.
6. Normalization of body weight - with the existing excess weight, a transition to dietary nutrition and an increase in physical activity is required, especially in the presence of concomitant diabetes mellitus.

To avoid the diagnosis of "arterial hypertension", patients should adhere to the rules of prevention and more monitor their health.

Therapies

Treatment of arterial hypertension depends entirely on the degree and stage of its development. At the initial stages of the pathological process, the sick are recommended:

• physiotherapy procedures;
• exercise therapy classes;
• visiting a consultant psychologist;
• spa therapy.

In the absence of positive results in non-drug treatment, the cardiologist prescribes a drug therapy regimen. The specialist takes into account the degree of risk of complications, the general condition of the body, the presence of concomitant diseases. Combined treatment with several drugs from different subgroups is more often used:

• aCE inhibitors;
• diuretics;
• alpha and beta blockers;
• calcium antagonists, etc.

Lack of timely access to a medical institution, ignorance of prescribed medications and continuation of the usual lifestyle leads to the development of arterial hypertension. Further conniving attitude to one's own health can cause the formation of complications and disability. Disability with hypertension is a fairly common phenomenon.

Accelerated development of the disease is caused by congenital pathological disorders associated with endocrine and renal ailments, increased blood viscosity and other syndromes. Patients who are at risk for a predisposition to arterial hypertension should constantly monitor their blood pressure indicators and seek help at the slightest deviation from the norm.

Arterial hypertension. Risk factors, prevention. Blood pressure measurement technique

Performed

4 courses 3 groups

Alexandrovna

Arterial hypertension ( AG) - syndrome of increased blood pressure. 90-95% of hypertension cases are essential arterial hypertension, in other cases secondary, symptomatic arterial hypertension is diagnosed: renal (nephrogenic) 3-4%, endocrine 0.1-0.3%, hemodynamic, neurological, stressful, caused by the intake of certain substances and hypertension of pregnant women, in which an increase in blood pressure is one of the many symptoms of the underlying disease.

Hypertension (essential hypertension) is a disease, the leading symptom of which is arterial hypertension, not associated with any other disease, and arising as a result of dysfunction of the centers regulating blood pressure with the subsequent activation of neurohumoral and renal mechanisms in the absence of diseases of organs and systems, when arterial hypertension is one of the symptoms.

Optimal blood pressure< 120/80 мм рт. ст.

Normal blood pressure< 130/85 мм рт. ст.

Increased normal blood pressure 130-139 / 85-90 mm Hg. Art.

1 degree (mild hypertension) - SBP / DBP 90-99.

· 2 degree (borderline hypertension) - SBP / DBP.

Grade 3 (severe hypertension) - SBP 180 and above / DBP 110 and above.

· Isolated systolic hypertension - SBP above 140 / DBP below 90.

The risk factors influencing the prognosis in patients with hypertension, according to WHO recommendations, include:

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease:

Increase in blood pressure of the III degree;

Men - over 55 years of age;

Women - over 65 years of age;

Serum total cholesterol more than 6.5 mmol / L (250 mg / dL);

Family history of cardiovascular disease. Other factors affecting the prognosis:

Reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol;

Increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol;

Unhealthy Lifestyle;

Increased fibrinogen levels;

High socioeconomic risk group;

Left ventricular hypertrophy;

Proteinuria and / or a slight increase in plasma creatinine levels (1.2-2 mg / dL);

Ultrasound or radiological (angiographic) signs of the presence of atherooslerotic plaques (carotid, iliac, femoral arteries, aorta);

Generalized or focal narrowing of the retinal arteries. Cerebrovascular:

Transient ischemic attack. Heart disease:

History of coronary revascularization surgery;

Heart failure. Kidney disease:

Renal failure (increased plasma creatinine levels more than 200 μmol / L).

Occlusive lesions of peripheral arteries. Complicated retinopathy:

Hemorrhages or exudates;

Swelling of the optic nerve head.

Clinic

The clinic of hypertension is determined by the stage of the disease and the nature of the course. Until complications develop, the disease may be asymptomatic. Most often, patients are worried about headache in the forehead and back of the head, dizziness, tinnitus, flashing "flies" before the eyes. There may be pain in the region of the heart, palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, irregular heartbeats.

Typical onset is between the ages of 30 and 45 and a family history of hypertension.

On clinical examination, the most important symptom is a persistent increase in blood pressure, detected with repeated measurements.

Inspection - allows you to identify signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (resistant cardiac impulse, displacement of the left border of the heart to the left), expansion of the vascular bundle due to the aorta, tone accent above the aorta. A more informative method for diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy is electrocardiographic examination. An electrocardiogram can reveal a deviation of the electrical axis of the heart to the left, an increase in the voltage of the R wave in I, aVL, and left chest leads. As hypertrophy grows in these leads, signs of left ventricular "overload" appear in the form of flattening of the T wave, then depression of the ST segment with a transition to an asymmetric T wave.

On a chest x-ray, changes are detected with the development of left ventricular dilatation. An indirect sign of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy may be a rounding of the apex of the heart.

Echocardiographic examination reveals a thickening of the walls of the left ventricle, an increase in its mass, in advanced cases, dilatation of the left ventricle is determined.

Prevention of arterial hypertension

1 If you are overweight, you should lose some of it, as being overweight increases your risk of developing hypertension. Having lost 3-5 kg, you will be able to reduce pressure and subsequently control it well. By achieving a lower weight, you can also lower your cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels. Normalizing weight remains the most effective method of blood pressure control.

2 Start each morning with a douche of cold water. The body is tempered, blood vessels are trained, the immune system is strengthened, blood circulation improves, the production of biologically active substances and blood pressure are normalized.

3 For the prevention of hypertension, it is extremely useful to live above the 4th floor in a house without an elevator. Constantly going up and down, you train blood vessels, strengthen the heart.

4 Walking at a good pace, jogging, swimming, cycling and skiing, practicing oriental health-improving gymnastics is an excellent prevention of arterial hypertension and related troubles. Physical exercise performed from a lying position; with breath holding and straining; quick bends and lifts of the body; such emotional game sports as tennis, football, volleyball, in those who are prone to arterial hypertension, can cause a sharp increase in blood pressure and impaired cerebral circulation.

5 The air, saturated with the smells of chamomile, mint, garden violet, rose and especially fragrant geranium, is an effective remedy for those who have "naughty" pressure. Inhalation of these aromas noticeably lowers blood pressure, soothes, raises vitality.

6 Good and "healthy" characters in an optimistic and balanced sanguine person, a slow and calm phlegmatic person. They are practically not threatened with arterial hypertension. Neuroses and arterial hypertension most often occur in two extreme types: an easily excitable choleric person and a melancholic who quickly becomes despondent.

8 Are you at risk? Get yourself a tonometer and regularly (once a week, and if it's not the first day you have a headache, insomnia, fatigue doesn't go away, stress "crushes", then more often: 1-2 times a day) measure your blood pressure. You can do this in the morning without getting out of bed. Constantly high blood pressure is a sure sign indicating the development of arterial hypertension.

9 In autumn and spring, not only arterial hypertension worsens, but also many other diseases occur during this period. To support your body at this dangerous time, take: - infusion of motherwort, 2-3 tablespoons before meals (pour 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs with 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for 2 hours); - lemon balm infusion (pour 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs with 2 cups of boiling water, after cooling, strain and drink throughout the day).

10 Stuffiness, tightness psychologically cannot stand all those predisposed to arterial hypertension. It is hard for them to be in a crowd, among a large number of people.

11 Turtlenecks and sweaters are not clothing for people with hypertension. Like a tight-fitting shirt collar, a tight-fitting tie can cause high blood pressure.

12 Red, orange, yellow colors cause irritation, excess energy flow, excite, increase blood pressure.

13 Excessive salt intake traps sodium in the body and causes exacerbation of arterial hypertension. When preparing food, do not salt it, but add a little, having already served it on the table.

14 Food should not be very fatty. Observations show that a low-fat diet can help lower blood cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. In addition, a low-fat diet promotes weight loss.

15 Dutch cheese, bananas, pineapples can raise blood pressure. It turns out that these foods, absorbed in large quantities, due to the special substances they contain, often lead to increased production of hormones that provoke "jumps" in blood pressure.

16 Limit alcohol consumption. It has been noticed that people who drink alcohol excessively are more likely to have hypertension, weight gain, which makes blood pressure control difficult. It is best not to drink alcoholic beverages at all, or limit your intake to two drinks per day for men and one for women. The word "drink" in this case means, for example, 350 ml of beer, 120 ml of wine or 30 ml of 100-degree liquor.

17 Consume more potassium as it can also lower blood pressure. Sources of potassium are various fruits and vegetables. It is advisable to eat at least five servings of vegetable or fruit salads, desserts a day.

In the modern world, diseases of the cardiovascular system are very common. One of these is arterial hypertension. This pathology is getting younger every year. If earlier more and more middle-aged and elderly people were at risk, now arterial hypertension is diagnosed in young people. This disease is called the "silent killer" because it can be asymptomatic for many years. Next, let's talk about who is at risk. What is the prevention of arterial hypertension. And, of course, we will consider the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

What is arterial hypertension

This is a chronic pathology with persistent high blood pressure.

A little about how our cardiovascular system works. The heart works like a pump that pumps blood and maintains a constant blood pressure in the vessels. The work of the heart is influenced by many factors, such as:

The vascular bed is a system of branched channels through which blood returns back to the heart. Its volume is not constant, because the smallest vessels, which are located in the walls of arterioles, in muscle tissue, when contracted, the lumen of the vessels narrow and can redirect blood flow depending on the needs of the body. The regulation of vascular tone directly depends on the nervous and hormonal systems. The force that acts on the walls of blood vessels during blood flow is called pressure.

This is an increase in systolic pressure indicators up to 140 mm Hg. Art. and more, and diastolic up to 90 mm Hg. and more. The norm is considered to be the pressure in an adult 120/80 mm Hg. Art.

Classification of the disease

There are two degrees of arterial hypertension:

• Primary.
• Secondary.

Primary is divided into several degrees. Namely:

Arterial hypertension of 2 degrees and 3, as a rule, already give complications in the form of such violations:

• Vascular atherosclerosis.
• Asthma.
• Heart disease.
• Pulmonary edema.

Secondary arterial hypertension is accompanied by pathology of internal organs. It is violations in the operation of these systems that provoke stable pressure surges:

• Pathology of the heart and aorta.
• Brain tumors and the consequences of TBI.
• Kidney disease.
• Endocrine pathologies.
• Tumor of the adrenal glands and pituitary gland.
• Removal of two kidneys.

Also, excessive use of certain medications can cause hypertension. What are these drugs:

Therefore, people who suffer from arterial hypertension should definitely consult a doctor before taking a new drug.

Symptoms of the disease

Different people have different symptoms. often starts with the patient not having any major complaints. However, you should pay attention to frequently recurring conditions:

Other symptoms are also possible. For the first degree of arterial hypertension, damage to internal organs is not characteristic. However, in order to timely stop the deterioration of the situation, it is necessary to pay attention to the above symptoms.

Arterial hypertension of the 2nd degree can provoke the following conditions:

• Spasm of the vessels of the fundus.
• The walls of the left ventricle may be enlarged.
• There may be protein in the urine.
• There are signs of damage to the walls of large vessels by an atherosclerotic process.

Arterial hypertension of the 3rd degree is characterized by the involvement of the affected organs in the process of pathological processes. The following diseases may appear:

• Heart failure.
• Swelling of the optic nerve.
• Angina pectoris.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Development of atherosclerotic processes, vasoconstriction and obstruction.

Arterial hypertension of the 3rd degree has a significant number of complications.

The manifestations of the secondary form of pathology are more pronounced. The following phenomena are possible:

• Swelling.
• Lumbar pain.
• Dysuric phenomena.
• Signs of inflammatory processes in the blood test.
• Changes in urinalysis.

Causes of arterial hypertension

This disease cannot occur without a reason, like any other. Here are some reasons:

However, it is worth noting that the above reasons are only suitable for primary hypertension. The secondary form develops due to an existing disease that provokes an increase in blood pressure. These are, as a rule, such diseases:

• Kidney disease.
• Tumors of the adrenal glands.
• Late toxicosis during pregnancy.
• Use of certain medications.

How is arterial hypertension diagnosed?

Before making an accurate diagnosis of hypertension, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis. And at the first visit to the doctor, such a diagnosis is not made. Where to start? The diagnosis of arterial hypertension begins with the examination and questioning of the patient. It is necessary to identify hereditary diseases, past illnesses, what kind of lifestyle is conducted and much more.

1. High blood pressure values \u200b\u200bneed to be measured and recorded. It is necessary to measure three times, observing all the measurement rules.

A medical history is established, arterial hypertension, as the diagnosis is at first in doubt. The next appointment with the doctor will be no earlier than 2 weeks later. Metering after a short period of time can create a false picture. If the measurements have borderline numbers, then in this case, it is recommended to measure the pressure daily. In this case, the values \u200b\u200bare recorded. Such a system allows you to select the necessary drugs to normalize the condition.

After determining the blood pressure, it is necessary to determine how severely the target organs are affected. Diagnosis of arterial hypertension includes the following additional examinations:

This diagnosis will help the doctor make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Also, the doctor should tell you what is the prevention of arterial hypertension.

Risk factors for primary hypertension

There are several risk factors for primary arterial hypertension:

• A large amount of salt in the diet. This factor is especially reflected in the elderly, those who are obese with kidney disease, as well as those with a genetic predisposition.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Arterial pathology. A decrease in their elasticity leads to an increase in pressure. This is typical for people with obesity, low mobility. Also in the elderly and in people with increased salt intake.
• Excessive renin production by the kidney apparatus.
• Inflammatory processes contribute to surges in blood pressure.
• Obesity increases the risk of blood pressure rise by 5 times. More than 85% of those with arterial hypertension have a body mass index of more than 25.
• Diabetes.
• There are observations that snoring can also be a risk factor for hypertension.
• Age factor. With age, the number of collagen fibers in the vessels increases, as a result, the walls of the vessels thicken, and their elasticity is lost.

To reduce risk factors, prevention of hypertension is necessary. We will look at the recommendations a little later.

Risk factors for the secondary form of pathology

We know what is associated with the pathology of organs and systems. These are diseases such as:

It should be said that secondary arterial hypertension can contribute to kidney disease in the same way that kidney disease can provoke an increase in blood pressure. The risk of hypertension can be reduced through preventive measures, which we will talk about a little later. Now let's move on to the methods of treatment.

Methods for treating arterial hypertension

Therapy for arterial hypertension at the first stage does not involve the use of drugs. The doctor may prescribe you to follow a diet, reduce salt intake, increase physical activity, and reduce weight.

However, if at the next visit to the doctor, high blood pressure persists, or even grows, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:

• Beta blockers are prescribed. They help lower your heart rate, thereby lowering blood pressure. However, people with heart disease and asthmatics are not allowed to use them.
• Diuretics are used in conjunction with other drugs. Promote the elimination of salt and water from the body.
• Drugs that restrict calcium access to muscle cells.
• Anthogenesis receptor blockers allow vasoconstriction as a result of aldosterone production.
• For heart failure and kidney disease, ACE inhibitors are prescribed.
• Drugs that help narrow the arterioles and affect the central nervous system.
• Together with other drugs, centrally acting drugs are prescribed.

Prevention of arterial hypertension

If you periodically have high blood pressure, you need to take action. Seeing a doctor should be immediate. But you yourself can take some actions that will improve your well-being. These actions can be classified as prevention of arterial hypertension.

• Control your weight. Having shed those extra pounds, you can immediately notice a slight decrease in pressure.
• Move more, walk, do exercises.
• Reduce salt intake in your diet. Refuse semi-finished and canned foods.
• Refuse to drink alcoholic beverages.
• There are more vegetables and fruits that contain potassium.
• Eliminate the bad habit of smoking.
• Limit your intake of fatty foods. This will help you lose weight and lower your blood cholesterol levels.
• Monitor blood pressure continuously. See a doctor and take prescribed medications. It is also necessary to inform the doctor about the changes that have occurred while taking the drugs.
• It is worth remembering that even if the pressure has returned to normal, taking medications should not be stopped. They must be taken regularly.
• Also avoid stressful situations.

Features of treatment and prevention in the elderly

The older the person is, the more difficult it is to treat hypertension. For several reasons:

• The vessels are no longer as elastic and are easily damaged.
• There are already atherosclerotic lesions.
• Pathological changes in the functioning of the kidneys and adrenal glands can cause hypertension.
• The drugs are prescribed very carefully in small doses.
• With ischemic heart disease, it is impossible to reduce the pressure to normal.
• The pressure should be measured while sitting and lying down.

Prevention of arterial hypertension in the elderly also consists of:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• Maintaining normal cholesterol levels.
• Move more, walk, do exercises.
• Stick to proper nutrition.

We examined what arterial hypertension means. The risk factors and prevention indicated in the article will help to take timely measures to improve health so that you do not have to fight this ailment.