Hypertension syndrome is the most common disease of the cardiovascular system, which is associated with a chronic increase in blood pressure. According to statistics, approximately 44% of the Russian population suffers from some form of this disease.
The disease is characterized by a sluggish course. Nevertheless, people with a similar diagnosis require qualified help. Lack of therapy is fraught with the development of dangerous complications up to the death of the patient. So what is disease? What are the risk factors for arterial hypertension? What do the symptoms look like in the early stages? Is it possible to somehow prevent the development of the disease? Are there effective treatments? The answers to these questions are of interest to many people who are faced with a similar problem.
Arterial hypertension (ICD-10): description of the disease
First of all, it is worth understanding what constitutes an ailment. The work of the heart and vascular tone are controlled by the nervous system and a number of hormones secreted by the endocrine glands. Finediastolic pressure is 70-90 mm Hg. Art., and systolic - 120-140 mm Hg. Art. In the event that these indicators are increased, doctors talk about such a disease as arterial hypertension.
ICD-10 refers this disease to the class of diseases accompanied by an increase in blood pressure. In the international classification system, diseases are assigned codes from I10 to I15.
It should be understood that a short-term increase in pressure is not a sign of hypertension. A change in this indicator may be associated with various factors, including severe stress, emotional stress, physical activity, etc. The disease is said to be in the event that hypertension becomes stable.
Classification of arterial hypertension
This ailment can develop under the influence of various factors, be accompanied by different symptoms and contribute to the development of various complications. That is why there are many schemes for systematizing the forms of the disease. For example, the classification of arterial hypertension, depending on the origin of the disease, includes two main groups:
- Essential form of disease. In fact, this is primary arterial hypertension, the causes of which are not always clear. However, the chronic increase in blood pressure in this case is not associated with damage to other organs.
- Symptomatic hypertension. This is a secondary form of the disease, which develops against the background of other diseases. For example, chronic high blood pressure canoccur with damage to the kidneys, nervous system, endocrine glands, taking a number of drugs.
It is also worth noting that there are four stages in the development of the disease, each of which is accompanied by a set of specific symptoms.
Main causes of disease development
Risk factors for hypertension can be very different. If we are talking about the primary form of the disease, then we can make the following list of possible causes:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Bad habits, especially smoking, as nicotine causes spasm of the vascular walls, which, accordingly, increases blood pressure.
- Sedentary lifestyle affects primarily the work of the heart.
- Being overweight puts additional stress on the cardiovascular system.
- Constant stress and nervous tension affect the hormonal background, which can serve as an impetus for the development of chronic hypertension.
- Age can also be attributed to risk factors - more often arterial hypertension syndrome is diagnosed in people over 50-55 years old.
- Constant consumption of large amounts of table s alt affects the balance of electrolytes, leads to the appearance of edema, which is reflected in blood pressure.
- Hypertension often affects diabetics.
It is worth saying that it is not always possible to identify the causes of the development of the primary form of the disease. With regard to secondary hypertension, mostcases it develops in such cases:
- Renal diseases, including chronic pyelonephritis, renal artery stenosis, diabetic nephropathy, acute and chronic forms of glomerulonephritis.
- Endocrine disorders such as pheochromocytoma, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome and many more.
- Diseases of the circulatory system, congenital malformations, including patent ductus arteriosus, aortic valve insufficiency.
- Hypertension syndrome can develop against the background of toxic effects on the body (drug use, alcohol abuse).
- Hypertension often appears in women during pregnancy, because during this period the blood volume increases, the load on the heart increases, and there is a tendency to form edema.
- Risk factors include taking certain medications, including hormones.
It is in such cases that the patient may develop a similar disease. Arterial hypertension is a serious disease that should not be ignored. And for the success of therapy, it is important to determine the causes of the development of the disease.
Modern diagnostic methods
If you have symptoms, be sure to see a doctor. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist must collect as much information as possible.
- Measurement of pressure is the very first diagnostic procedure, which is carried out in case of suspicion of a disease such as arterial hypertension. Clinical guidelines, by the way, suggest that patients withsimilar problems should have a tonometer in the house for periodic pressure changes. It is worth recalling that normally this figure is 120-140 / 80-90 mm Hg. Art. A persistent increase in pressure may indicate hypertension (of course, you need to take into account various factors, including the age of the patient, the presence of diseases, medication, etc.).
- History taking is another important part of the diagnosis. During the interview, the doctor tries to identify risk factors, for example, to obtain information about previous diseases, the presence of relatives with hypertension, bad habits, etc.
- A study is also carried out using a phonendoscope - a specialist can detect changes in heart sounds, the presence of noise.
- Electrocardiogram - a procedure to detect heart rhythm disturbances. Arterial insufficiency syndrome is often accompanied by left ventricular hypertrophy - such changes can be confirmed by ECG.
- Echocardiography helps to detect changes in the structure of the heart, in particular to determine the increase in the thickness of the muscle walls, to identify valve defects.
- Arteriography is an x-ray procedure designed to examine the walls of the arteries and measure their lumen. In this way, it is possible, for example, to diagnose congenital narrowing of the walls of blood vessels, to determine the presence of atheromatous plaques on the walls of arteries.
- Dopplerography is an ultrasound technique that allows you to assess the state of blood flow in the vessels. AtIf arterial hypertension is suspected, first of all, an examination of the cerebral and carotid arteries is prescribed.
- No less important is a biochemical blood test, which allows you to determine the level of sugar, cholesterol and lipoproteins (often an increase in pressure is associated with the development of atherosclerosis).
- Since hypertension is often associated with a malfunction of the thyroid gland, an ultrasound of this organ is indicated.
Differential diagnosis of arterial hypertension syndrome includes additional examinations of the organs of the circulatory, endocrine and excretory systems. Such procedures allow you to find out the cause of the development of secondary hypertension.
First degree hypertension: symptoms and treatment
Arterial hypertension of the 1st degree is accompanied by fluctuations in blood pressure within 140-150/90-100 mm Hg. Art. Patients complain of frequent headaches that occur during physical exertion. Sometimes there are pains in the left side of the chest, which are given to the shoulder blade. People suffer from dizziness, which can end in fainting. Other symptoms include sleep disturbance, the appearance of black dots before the eyes, rapid heartbeat, the appearance of tinnitus. Signs appear only occasionally, the rest of the time the patient feels well.
Narrowing of the vessels affects the blood supply to organs. The tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which is accompanied by gradual necrosis. This, in turn, affects the exchangesubstances. Arterial hypertension of the 1st degree affects the work of the whole organism. The most common complications include hypertrophy of the heart muscle, microinfarcts, kidney sclerosis.
Patients with a similar diagnosis are prescribed a special diet, physical education, relaxation exercises, etc. As for drug treatment, therapy includes vasodilators, diuretics (help remove excess fluid from the body), neurotransmitters, anticholesterol and sedatives.
Hypertension of the second degree: symptoms and features
Arterial hypertension of the second degree is accompanied by a more pronounced increase in pressure - 160-179 / 100-109 mm Hg. Art. Patients have to deal with constant discomfort - the symptoms of hypertension rarely disappear completely. Their list includes:
- chronic fatigue;
- recurrent nausea, throbbing in the head;
- narrowing of arterioles, hyperemia;
- blurred vision, progressive pathology of the fundus;
- swelling of facial tissues;
- excessive sweating;
- presence of albumin in urine;
- numb fingers.
Periodically appear hypertensive crises, which are accompanied by a sharp jump in blood pressure (sometimes even by 50-60 mmHg).
Treatment methods and possible complications
At this stage, each patient requires drug treatment - patients take all the same drugs aswith hypertension of the first stage. Taking pills should be taken responsibly (doctors recommend taking them at the same time). Of course, it is important to follow the diet, avoid fatty foods, give up coffee completely, minimize the amount of table s alt.
If left untreated, dangerous complications may develop. The most common include atherosclerosis (which only aggravates the situation), encephalopathy, aortic aneurysm (pathological protrusion of the walls of the vessel), angina pectoris, thrombosis of cerebral vessels.
Features of the course and symptoms of hypertension of the third degree
The third stage is a severe chronic form of the disease, in which the risk of complications is extremely high. Arterial pressure rises above 180/110 mm. This figure never drops closer to normal. In addition to the above symptoms, patients also have others:
- arrhythmia develops;
- changes in a person's gait, impaired coordination of movements;
- impaired cerebral circulation leads to the development of paresis and paralysis;
- permanent visual impairment;
- frequent and prolonged hypertensive crises, which are accompanied by the appearance of sharp pains in the chest, clouding of consciousness, speech disorders;
- gradually, patients lose the ability to move freely, communicate, serve themselves.
As the disease progresses, more and more organs are involved in the process. Against the background of high blood pressure and oxygen starvation, possible complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, edemalungs, cardiac asthma, peripheral arterial disease. Often, patients are diagnosed with renal failure, diabetic nephropathy, nephroangiosclerosis. Visual impairment often results in total blindness.
Therapy for the third degree of development of the disease
Drug therapy is determined depending on the patient's condition and the presence of concomitant diseases. As a rule, patients are prescribed beta-blockers (Atenolol, Nadolol, Betaxolol), diuretics (Hypothiazid, Xipamide, Indapamide), ACE inhibitors (Ramipril, Fosinopril, Enaoapril"), calcium antagonists ("Plendil", "Verapamil", "Nifedipine"). Additionally, drugs can be prescribed to support the normal functioning of the kidneys, endocrine glands, brain, and organs of vision.
What are the prognosis for patients diagnosed with hypertension? Treatment, drugs, proper diet, gymnastics - all this, of course, helps to cope with some of the symptoms of the disease. Nevertheless, at the third stage, the disease is difficult to treat - patients are assigned a first-degree disability, since they are practically unable to work.
Hypertension of the fourth degree
It is extremely rare in modern medical practice to diagnose hypertension of the fourth degree. Unfortunately, at this stage, the disease is almost impossible to treat. Hypertensive crises become constant companions of the patient. At times like these, he needs urgent medical attention.help. As a rule, the disease at this stage of development sooner or later ends in death.
Effective preventive measures
Are there ways to prevent the development of such a disease as arterial hypertension? Clinical recommendations in this case are quite simple. In the presence of poor heredity, people should carefully monitor the pressure, periodically undergo medical examinations. It is extremely important to give up all bad habits, including drugs and alcohol, smoking.
Regular exercise has a positive effect on the state of the circulatory system. One of the risk factors is stress - you should avoid nervous strain, meditate, adhere to a normal work and rest schedule, and spend time outdoors. An important element of prevention is nutrition - doctors recommend reducing the amount of sugar, fat and s alt in the diet. The menu should contain foods containing unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. It is worth giving up coffee.
What should people who have already been diagnosed with arterial hypertension do? The help of a doctor in this case is necessary. The earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to deal with it. Prevention in this case is aimed at preventing complications. The scheme includes medication and a he althy lifestyle.
