According to statistics, hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease.The nature of the flow and possible consequences give the basis for classifying it as one of the most dangerous pathologies.At the same time, there is no asymptomatic stage in the development of hypertension.That is, if you carefully monitor your health, there are all chances for early diagnosis and timely treatment.The disease is not completely cured, but its progression can be successfully controlled.
Arterial hypertension is a chronic disease whose main symptom is permanent hypertension, high blood pressure.Pathology is indicated when the tonometer records a blood pressure level higher than 140/90 mm Hg.Art.
Men are more prone to hypertension;in the stronger sex, the disease develops at an earlier age.One of the main reasons for this phenomenon are female sex hormones, which inhibit the development of the disease.In the postmenopausal period, the natural protection disappears, the frequency among women and men decreases.
The symptoms of hypertension in men and women are almost the same, the causes and risk factors for the development of the disease are somewhat different.
Changes in blood pressure
Before talking about increased blood pressure, it is advisable to understand what indicators are normal.In children of the first year of life, blood pressure is considered normal at 90/40 ± 5 mm Hg.Art.With age, indicators gradually increase, reaching 120/80 ± 10 mm Hg.Art.
According to the World Health Organization, the upper limit of normal blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg.Art.
It should be noted that blood pressure values vary depending on the time of day and the appropriate physical activity of the person.Blood pressure drops at night, reaching a physiological minimum between midnight and three o'clock.By the end of the working day, around 17:00, blood pressure reaches its maximum and starts to fall from 20:00.A situational increase in pressure occurs during unusual or excessive physical activity, in stressful situations, against the background of especially vivid and strong emotions.
The basis for examination for suspicion of hypertension is at least three episodes of elevated blood pressure recorded on different days during the month.Instrumental confirmation of elevated pressure is necessary to distinguish the disease from other pathologies.The early symptoms of hypertension are quite characteristic, but in the absence of special knowledge, they are mistaken for manifestations of other diseases.In addition, primary hypertension in hypertension should be distinguished from symptomatic (secondary) hypertension, which develops against the background of kidney disease and pathologies of the endocrine system.
Causes and risk factors
The main role in the pathogenesis of hypertension is played by disorders of the regulatory function of the central nervous system, especially the departments that control the work of vital organs.
The connection between hypertension and disorders in the processes of nervous regulation is indirectly confirmed by the fact that it is often caused by long-term and strong anxiety, fears, deep nervous shocks and repeated episodes of nervous tension.Prerequisites for the occurrence of primary arterial hypertension can be severe disturbances in the daily activity cycle related to the characteristics of the professional activity (working in night shifts, long working hours), exposure to noise and vibrations.
An imbalance of ion balance caused by excess sodium also contributes to the development of hypertension.Consumption of table salt in quantities greater than 5 g per day increases the risk of developing hypertension.With a loaded heredity, addiction to salty food is almost tantamount to a death sentence.
Predisposition to hypertension is genetically determined.Symptoms of hypertension that appear in close blood relatives are a pretty clear signal that you need to pay special attention to your health.
Hypertension and its further progression are also provoked by atherosclerosis, obesity, dysfunction of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland and chronic infections.
Age and gender contribute to the manifestations of pathology.Among people under the age of 40, symptoms of hypertension are more common in men than in women.After the age of 60, hypertension is diagnosed in every other patient.The frequency of the disease in women increases after menopause, and women predominate in the older age group of patients.Changes in the sex ratio are associated with increased premature mortality among men who develop the disease at an earlier age.
In addition, provoking factors are:
- Violation of quality and nutrition;
- Bad habits and chronic intoxication;
- Abuse of caffeine;
- Physical inactivity and heavy physical work;
- Socio-economic status.
Main symptoms of the disease
Typical signs of hypertension in women and men are the same and appear at an early stage.A permanent increase in blood pressure is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Vertigo;
- Headache;
- visual impairment;
- Numbness of fingers;
- Sleep disorders;
- Performance degradation;
- irritability;
- Nosebleeds;
- tinnitus;
- Peripheral edema (mainly in women);
- sweating;
- Heartache.
Symptoms of hypertension appear in different combinations, not all at once, but as the disease progresses.Headache attacks may develop at the end of the day, which coincides with the physiological peak of blood pressure levels.It is not uncommon to have a headache right after waking up.This symptom is often mistaken for the usual lack of sleep, overwork or the manifestation of other diseases not related to the cardiovascular system.
A headache caused by an attack of hypertension is accompanied by a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the back of the head, sometimes aggravated by turning, tilting the head, sudden movements, sneezing, coughing, and may be accompanied by swelling of the face, general or partial.The intensity of the pain is in no way related to the level of blood pressure, but sometimes it indicates its sudden increase.In some patients, the headache is combined with a nosebleed, after which the condition usually improves.Nosebleeds can be painless, especially in the first stage of hypertension.
Agonizing headaches cause irritability.The patient reacts painfully to strong lighting, loud and sharp sounds.
Visual impairment is described as a veil before the eyes, "spots", double vision.
Heart pain and a vague feeling of anxiety as a symptom of hypertension are more typical of the later stages of the disease.The pain is localized in the upper part of the heart or to the left of the sternum and is not always related to emotional or physical stress.Unlike an angina attack, the pain cannot subside for several hours and is not relieved by taking vasodilators from the organic nitrate class.
Shortness of breath can occur as a reaction to physical activity, as the disease progresses, as well as at rest.
Peripheral edema with hypertension may indicate the development of heart failure.Swelling can develop after taking certain medications, impaired kidney function or excess sodium in the body.
During hypertension, three stages are distinguished, which differ according to the symptoms that manifest and the severity of the patient's condition.
When blood pressure rises to 140-149/90-99 mmHg.Art.hypertension is characterized as mild.Attacks are accompanied by dizziness, and nosebleeds are also possible.It is characterized by deterioration of performance, lethargy, possible attacks of nausea and tachycardia.
Moderate hypertension is diagnosed when readings range from 150-179/100-109 mmHg.Art.Patients feel sweating, chills, swelling, numbness of the fingers, and a dull pain in the heart is possible during the attack.Spasms of blood vessels of the retina manifest as flickering flies or lightning in front of the eyes, and progressive deterioration of vision, even blindness due to bleeding in the retina is possible.
Severe hypertension leads to problems in the work of the heart and other organs.
Hypertensive crisis
A hypertensive crisis is possible with a sudden increase in blood pressure.The consequences of a crisis can affect the heart, brain and kidneys.The most characteristic feature of a crisis is an increase in diastolic (upper) pressure.
The crisis starts suddenly, and the following are possible:
- Shortness of breath;
- Nausea, sometimes vomiting;
- blurred vision and other visual disturbances;
- Sharp redness of the face;
- Severe headache;
- Constrictive pain in the region of the heart.
Symptoms that appear during a crisis can vary;according to the characteristics of the symptom complex, the following types of crises are distinguished:
- Neurovegetative.Neurological symptoms predominate.The patient is excessively excited, restless or afraid.Possible hand tremors, sweating and fever.As a rule, only systolic pressure increases;an attack of hypertension is followed by tachycardia.
- Hydropic.Both pressure indicators increase, patients quickly develop swelling of the face and hands, lethargy and drowsiness.The man is disoriented.The edematous form of the crisis develops mainly in women after taking salty food or a large amount of liquid.
- A rare convulsive form of crisis is possible in patients with a malignant course of hypertension.During a convulsive crisis, the likelihood of a hemorrhagic stroke is particularly high.
Characteristics of the course of hypertension in women
Women of reproductive age develop hypertension less often than men.At the same time, hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause are often accompanied by symptomatic hypertension.If the main signs of hypertension appear against the background of menopausal changes, the final diagnosis is possible after the complete extinction of reproductive function.Particularly female risk factors include taking oral contraceptives.
Drinking alcohol and nicotine has a much greater impact on women than on the stronger sex.Even one cigarette can cause a hypertensive crisis with diagnosed hypertension.
Another risk factor is the increased emotionality of women.Because of this psychological characteristic, representatives of the fairer sex more often suffer from hypertensive crises.
Symptoms of hypertension in women are usually more severe;women are more attentive to their health and consult a doctor, on average, much earlier than men.
Features of the development and course of hypertension in men
Since the male body does not undergo such frequent and profound hormonal changes, the main risk factors are somewhat different from those of women.
First of all, it is a matter of severe and chronic stress that causes an increase in adrenaline levels and thus blood pressure.An equally important role is played by chronic intoxications of various origins, starting from air pollution in industrial regions, dangerous working conditions and addiction to alcohol or tobacco.
Diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity and excess body weight can also cause the development of arterial hypertension.
Hereditary predisposition to hypertension increases the risk of its development in both sexes.
Signs of hypertension in men are less pronounced, and early symptoms are not always taken seriously.The first visit to the doctor often occurs at a fairly advanced stage of the disease.
Hypertension in children
Since one of the key factors in the development of hypertension is family history, parents with hypertension should know how to recognize hypertension in children.
Hypertension can affect children of all ages, and adolescents in puberty are especially susceptible to it.The triggering factors, mechanisms of development and symptoms of hypertension are similar to those in adults.The basis for examining a child to confirm/exclude the diagnosis of hypertension is a continuous increase in blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg.Art.