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 for hypertension 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, as well as how to measure pressure correctly.
But let's start in order - risk factors for hypertension and its pathogenesis.
What is hypertension
Hypertension, or arterial hypertension, is one of the most popular diseases of our time, accompanied by an increase in blood pressure.
This disease affects approximately one third of the world's population. This diseasevery insidious, since its visible signs may not remind of themselves for a long time, while the complex process of progression of the disease has already begun in the walls of the vessels.
What happens during hypertension?
Mechanism of disease manifestation
The pathogenesis of hypertension is complex and not fully understood. It is based on the deformation of blood vessels, resulting 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 real causes of its occurrence.
Nevertheless, a number of factors that can provoke the disease, the so-called risks of arterial hypertension, are caused. Let's take a closer look at them.
Invariable causes of hypertension
Risk factors for hypertension are classified according to two indicators: unchangeable and changeable. Immutable are those that a person cannot influence. Changeable - those that depend on the person, his decisions and lifestyle.
The first are:
- Heredity. In most cases, arterial hypertension is a disease transmitted by genes, and refers to diseases withhereditary predisposition. That is, if someone in the family suffered from hypertension, it is likely that the next generation will be affected by this disease.
- Physiological factor. It is estimated that middle-aged men are more susceptible 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 estrogen, which perform a protective function. However, with the advent of menopause, this process is completed, and since then, women also begin to be at risk of arterial disease.
And yet, while the risk factors above are considered immutable, you can do everything in your power to minimize unreasonable risks.
Heredity. It is important to remember here that diseases with a hereditary predisposition do not transmit the disease itself, but only a tendency to it. That is, the occurrence of the disease is due not to one factor, but to a number of reasons. They can be influenced by a person if he carefully monitors his habits, nutrition, lifestyle and working conditions.
We also clarify that kidney diseases that provoke hypertension can be inherited. In this case, it is also important to carefully and scrupulously monitor your he alth.
Physiological factor. Yes, men of working age most often 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 he alth, a lot of timespends at work and abuses 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 overweight and malnutrition, as well as those who pursue recognition and honor, sacrificing sleep and personal life for the sake of ambition and ambition.
Modifiable causes of hypertension
Risk factors for hypertension include:
- overweight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- stress;
- bad habits;
- heavy consumption of s alt, caffeine, cholesterol;
- insomnia;
- weight lifting;
- weather fluctuation;
- drugs, etc.
Let's look at some of these factors and find out what the prevention of arterial hypertension is.
Overweight and a sedentary lifestyle lead to obesity and serious organ dysfunction, 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 monitor 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. Determined thatdaily use of alcohol and tobacco provokes many severe chronic diseases, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.
What is considered the maximum consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products? Of course, everyone should set their own limit of what is permitted. Moreover, it was found that the complete rejection of nicotine and narcotic substances will improve a person's he alth several times, especially if he is at risk.
And yet it is believed that for a he althy 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 has been found that if you smoke more than twenty pieces a day, this will increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as three times and become a threat of sudden death.
Another important factor in the development of arterial hypertension is the use of large amounts of s alt, caffeine and cholesterol. Why is it so dangerous?
The fact is that s alt, caffeine and cholesterol (in large quantities) contribute to blockage of blood vessels, worsen the functioning of the liver and kidneys, and increase the heartbeat.
According to the calculations, the norm of s alt per day is only five grams, and the dose of caffeine is 0.1 grams.
How to protect yourself from harmful products? First of all, again, 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 consumein food that lowers the level of cholesterol and sodium chloride. 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.
Stressful situations, which most often provoke hypertensive crises, also have an important strategic value in increasing pressure. 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 wild” and do not cause negative consequences (heartbeats, vasospasms, high blood pressure).
To do this, you can carry light sedatives that are suitable only for you (Valerian, Validol, Corvalol and others). Also, when emotions take over the mind, you should force yourself to switch to something else, think about something pleasant, or count to ten.
And if you are in constant psychological stress and 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 regular emotional release: take a walk in the park, watch a comedy, cook something tasty, take up a hobby, or just take a nap.
The next risk factor for hypertension is heavy lifting. If you are doing this by profession and suffer from high blood pressure, you should think about changing working conditions to easier ones. When it comes to preventionhigh blood pressure - remember that it is important to hold your breath while lifting a heavy load, and between physical exertion you should breathe evenly and calmly.
So, we briefly discussed the many 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 blood 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 the basic rules for accurate pressure measurement:
- it is necessary to carry out the procedure in a sitting, relaxed position;
- the cuffed hand should rest on something solid;
- talking and moving while measuring blood pressure is strictly prohibited.
The step-by-step algorithm for measuring pressure depends on whether you have a tonometer - mechanical or automatic. Before using the device, be sure to read the instructions or consult your doctor.
What should be the normal pressure?
BP norm by age
It is believed that the ideal indicators of pressure are the numbers 120/80, but these standards are exaggerated and stereotyped. In reality, much depends on the physiological data of the patient, his age and gender.accessories.
Below is a table that can be used to determine the normal blood pressure for a particular patient.
| Age | Man | Woman |
| 20 | 123/76 | 116/72 |
| 20-30 | 126/79 | 120/75 |
| 30-40 | 129/81 | 127/79 |
| 40-50 | 135/82 | 137/83 |
| 50-60 | 142/85 | 144/85 |
| 60 or more | 142/80 | 159/85 |
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 above the specified norms?
First of all, don't panic and self-diagnose. It is important to contact a specialist who will carry out the necessary diagnostics and only then will it be established whether high blood pressure is a sign of hypertension or whether the whole thing is something else.
This behavior is correct, since high blood pressure does not always indicate arterial hypertension. Conversely, low levels may not be recognized as a hypertensive crisis.
What are the symptoms and diagnosis of hypertension?
Symptoms of the disease
As the patient's hypertension progressessymptoms appear:
- high blood pressure 160/100 or more;
- severe headache and occasional dizziness;
- weakness and fatigue;
- noise and ringing in the ears or head;
- darkening, “gray dots” in the eyes;
- feeling fearful and overexcited.
The combination of these symptoms will help determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
In order to do this in the best possible way, some additional examinations will be necessary.
Diagnosis of 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 readings of the tonometer are recorded on both hands with an interval of one to two hours.
Diagnosis of hypertension is also in laboratory tests. First of all, it will be necessary to pass a blood and urine test for potassium, glucose, creatine and cholesterol.
In addition, you will be asked to take an ECG and an ultrasound of the heart, as well as to conduct 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. This is:
- Preclinical stage. There are no pronounced symptoms, the patient does notsuspects high blood pressure.
- The first stage. The pressure rises sharply, but the internal organs have not yet been affected.
- Second stage. There is a gradual damage to important organs (the heart, eyes, kidneys suffer).
- Third stage. Accompanied by severe heart disease, pathological changes in the organs of vision and blood vessels.
Unlike stages, the classification of degrees of hypertension is based on tonometer readings. In total, three degrees of disease development have been identified:
- First degree. Hypertension of the 1st degree is determined by the pressure fluctuation between 140/90 and 149/99.
- Second degree. Hypertension of the second degree is caused by pressure intervals of 160 to 100 and 179 to 109.
- The third degree is the most critical. Blood pressure rises above the 180/100 pointer and brings with it many complications and pain.
Most often, only the degree of hypertension is indicated in diagnostic reports. However, sometimes another number (from 1 to 4) is added to the indicators, which can mean determining the risk of the underlying disease.
How to recognize it in practice?
For example, if a patient is diagnosed with hypertension of the 1st degree, this indicates that his pressure indicators are not critical. However, this does not mean that there is no threat to he alth at all. For example, if a patient has had a stroke, then the number “4” is added to the diagnosis, which means the maximum risk of developing hypertension. If the patientrelatively he althy, but abusing tobacco, then the number “1” will be added to the main diagnosis.
Or another example. How to decipher the diagnosis: “Hypertension 3 degrees, 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 could 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 drugs, individually choosing the dosage and combination of drugs. The influence of medicines will extend not only to lowering pressure, but also to blocking risk (protecting internal organs from complications).
In parallel with pharmacological treatment, a diet is prescribed, which the patient will need to strictly follow. Recommendations will also be given regarding changes in lifestyle or working conditions.
You may find it difficult to come to terms with some of the principles of treatment. However, remember that he alth is more important than the usual rhythm of life and personal preferences. Never forget: your he alth is in your hands!
