Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease, common and dangerous. Simply put, it is a disease of high blood pressure. If treatment is not started on time, it will lead to serious consequences, such as stroke, heart attack, loss of working ability, disability, and ultimately death is not excluded. That is why it is important to know which symptoms accompany the disease, to recognize them in time and stop the disease in the first stages.
The invisible enemy, or what is hypertension?
Hypertension is an increase in blood pressure. The disease has another synonymous name - arterial hypertension. Here you need to understand that only a qualified specialist makes a diagnosis and, as a result, prescribes a course of treatment.
The onset of the disease can be detected using at least three control indicators of blood pressure measurement. If you notice that your blood pressure "jumps" during the day, this is not a reason to panic. Changes in the body can occur as a result of a change in occupation, for example, vigorous activity and sleep or sports and office work. In this case, indicators of normal well-being will be numbers on the screen of the pressure measuring device from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If your blood pressure constantly or quite often remains at 140, it is a sign to consult a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
The pressure rises as a reaction to the processes taking place inside and outside the body. These are stress, unpleasant environment, increased level of danger. In these cases, a protective reaction is triggered in the body. The blood begins to release adrenaline, and as a result, the heart rate increases. Which leads to vasoconstriction and muscle contraction. In combination, the body's reaction affects the increase in blood pressure. Since a person is not immune to overexertion, he often experiences such stress on the functioning of his organs. This leads to a direct threat that is harmful to health.
Regular lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and nervous diseases can lead to hypertension. In addition, doctors list the causes of the disease as:
- problems with excess weight;
- thyroid problems;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- heredity.
Who's first in line?
Hypertension primarily affects those who have relatives in the family with this disease.
In addition, symptoms can be observed in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and in people who are overweight.
If you suffer from osteochondrosis or atherosclerosis, hypertension can be a consequence. There is a physiological explanation for that. The vessels are compressed during these diseases, and the pressure increases accordingly.
An important factor in the development of hypertension is the influence of hormones. That is why it often occurs in women during menopause.
Signs of hypertension appear in people who are under constant stress at work and in life. Heavy smokers and people with diabetes are at risk.
Symptoms most often occur in people over 50 years old. Moreover, according to statistics, men are more susceptible to this disease.
However, it is important to understand that, in general, hypertension does not spare anyone, and the limits are arbitrary. The younger generation often suffers from high blood pressure.
Why is hypertension dangerous?
The consequences of hypertension are dangerous for the whole organism. This leads to:
- loss of vision;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is the reason, first of all, to become familiar with the symptoms of hypertension and recognize the disease in time.
Insidious symptoms of hypertension
Unfortunately, the disease often begins to appear hidden. Symptoms are usually not noticed in the initial stages. More precisely, they exist, but most often people do not pay attention to them, attributing ailments to fatigue and routine. Signs of hypertension include frequent headaches. They are not related to changes in weather or time of day. They appear unexpectedly at night or immediately after waking up, and occur in the middle of the day. They look like a "ring" that presses against your temples. Patients often describe the pain as feeling "as if bricks were placed on the back of the head". It gets worse when bending or making sudden movements.
In addition, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and mist before the eyes;
- clouding of consciousness;
- lethargy and apathy;
- noise in the ears.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should start measuring your blood pressure. Its constant high scale is a reason for alarm and contacting experts.
These are just the initial signs of the first stage of hypertension.
It is also characterized by:
- increased sweating;
- redness and swelling of the face;
- swelling in the morning;
- swelling of hands;
- memory impairment or partial loss.
Stages of hypertension: when to sound the alarm?
The disease has several limits. The first stage is a pressure fluctuation in the range up to 160 - the upper limit and 100 - the lower limit. If the disease is recognized in time and competent treatment is prescribed, then you can not only stop the hypertensive crisis, but also get rid of this disease forever.
The second stage is characterized by an upper limit of pressure of about 180 and a lower limit of 110. Its symptoms include pain in the head and heart and dizziness. The organs of vision are also affected. In this case, complex treatment, lifestyle changes and daily routines are required.
The third stage of hypertension is marked by irreversible processes taking place in the body. Due to the heavy load on the veins, the pressure rises to 180 to 110. The worst in this case are the consequences. Without urgent treatment of hypertension there is a great risk to life.
In all stages of development, the patient can be affected by a hypertensive crisis. This leads to the worsening of all the symptoms of the disease. In this case, the bottom pressure becomes high. Signs include nausea and vomiting.
Treatment of hypertension: in the hospital or at home?
The course of treatment of the disease is determined only by the doctor. What you should remember first:
- The pressure should always be reduced gradually. A sharp fall can put you at risk of a heart attack;
- How to normalize the condition is explained only by a qualified specialist in each individual case. There is no point in treating yourself;
- If you feel an improvement, you should not stop taking the medicine. It is necessary to complete the course prescribed by the doctor;
- You should not adjust the treatment yourself: increase or decrease the dose of the drug;
- No need to wait for a temporary cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop in one day and does not go away overnight.