According to statistics, hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease.The nature of the course and the possible consequences give reason to classify it as one of the most dangerous pathologies.At the same time, there is no asymptomatic stage of development of hypertension.That is, if you are careful about your health, there is every chance of 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 persistent hypertension, high blood pressure.Pathology is indicated when the tonometer registers a blood pressure level above 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 suppress the development of the disease.In the period after menopause, the natural protection disappears, the incidence among women and men equalizes.
The symptoms of hypertension in men and women are almost the same, the causes and risk factors for the development of the disease are slightly different.
Changes in blood pressure
Before talking about increased blood pressure, it is advisable to understand which 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 corresponding physical activity of a person.Blood pressure drops at night, reaching a physiological minimum between midnight and three o'clock.By the end of the working day, around 5:00 p.m., blood pressure reaches a maximum and begins to decrease from 8:00 p.m.A situational increase in pressure occurs during unusual or excessive physical activity, in stressful situations, against the background of particularly bright and strong emotions.
Basis for examination in suspected hypertension is at least three episodes of increased blood pressure recorded on different days during the month.Instrumental confirmation of increased pressure is necessary to differentiate 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 diseases 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, in particular, the departments that control the functioning of vital organs.
The relationship between hypertension and disturbances in the processes of nervous regulation is indirectly confirmed by the fact that it is often provoked by prolonged and strong anxiety, fears, deep nervous shocks and repeated episodes of nervous tension.Prerequisites for the development of primary arterial hypertension can be severe disturbances in the daily activity cycle associated with the characteristics of professional activity (night shift work, long working hours), exposure to noise and vibrations.
The development of hypertension is also facilitated by an imbalance in the ion balance caused by excess sodium.With the consumption of table salt in quantities of more than 5 g per day, the risk of developing hypertension increases.With a burdened heredity, an addiction to salty foods is almost tantamount to a death sentence.
The predisposition to hypertension is genetic.Hypertension symptoms that appear in close blood relatives are a pretty clear signal that you need to pay close 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 the pathology.Among people under the age of 40, symptoms of hypertension are more common in men than in women.After 60 years, hypertension is diagnosed in every second patient.The incidence of the disease in women increases after menopause, with women predominating 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:
- Quality and diet disorders;
- Bad habits and chronic intoxication;
- caffeine abuse;
- Lack of physical activity and heavy physical work;
- Socio-economic status.
Main symptoms of the disease
The characteristic signs of hypertension in women and men are the same and appear at an early stage.A prolonged increase in blood pressure is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- vertigo;
- headache;
- Visual impairment;
- Numbness of the fingers;
- Sleep disorders;
- Performance degradation;
- irritability;
- nosebleeds;
- tinnitus;
- Peripheral edema (mainly in women);
- sweating;
- Pain in the heart.
The 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, coinciding in time with the physiological peak of blood pressure levels.It is not unusual to have a headache right after waking up.This symptom is often confused with a simple lack of sleep, fatigue, or the manifestation of other diseases that are 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 worsened by turning, tilting the head, sudden movements, sneezing, coughing, and may be accompanied by total or partial swelling of the face.The intensity of the pain is in no way related to the level of blood pressure, but sometimes it shows its sharp 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.
Excruciating headaches provoke irritability.The patient reacts painfully to bright 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 restlessness as a symptom of hypertension are more characteristic 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 angina attacks, the pain may not subside for several hours and may not be relieved by taking vasodilators of the organic nitrate class.
Shortness of breath can occur as a reaction to physical activity, as the disease progresses, and at rest.
Peripheral edema with hypertension may indicate the development of heart failure.Swelling can develop after taking certain drugs, impaired kidney function or excess sodium in the body.
During hypertension, three stages are distinguished, which differ in the symptoms they manifest and the severity of the patient's condition.
When blood pressure increases to 140-149/90-99 mmHg.Art.Hypertension is characterized as mild.Attacks are accompanied by vertigo, nosebleeds are possible.It is characterized by a decrease in efficiency, lethargy, possible bouts of nausea and tachycardia.
Moderate hypertension is diagnosed when readings range from 150-179/100-109 mmHg.Art.Patients experience sweating, chills, swelling, numbness of the fingers, during an attack, a dull pain in the heart is possible.Retinal vascular spasms manifest as flies or lightning flashes before the eyes and possible progressive deterioration of vision, even blindness due to retinal hemorrhage.
Severe hypertension leads to problems with the functioning of the heart and other organs.
Hypertensive crisis
With a sharp increase in blood pressure, a hypertensive crisis is possible.The effects of the crisis can affect the heart, brain and kidneys.The most characteristic feature of the crisis is the 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;
- Sudden flushing of the face;
- Severe headache;
- Constrictive pain in region of heart.
Symptoms that occur during a crisis can vary;according to the characteristics of the complex of symptoms, the following types of crises are distinguished:
- Neurovegetative.Neurological symptoms predominate.The patient is overexcited, restless, or frightened.Possible hand tremors, sweating and fever.As a rule, only the systolic pressure increases;an attack of hypertension is accompanied by tachycardia.
- Hydropic.Both pressure indicators rise, patients quickly develop swelling of the face and hands, lethargy and drowsiness.The man is disoriented.The edematous form of crisis develops mainly in women after eating salty foods or large amounts of liquid.
- A rare convulsive form of crisis is possible in patients with a malignant course of hypertension.During a convulsive crisis, the probability of a hemorrhagic stroke is particularly high.
Characteristics of the course of hypertension in women
Women of childbearing 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 disappearance of reproductive function.Particularly female risk factors include taking oral contraceptives.
Intoxication with alcohol and nicotine has a much greater impact on women than on the stronger sex.Even one cigarette can trigger a hypertensive crisis in diagnosed hypertension.
Another risk factor is the increased emotionality of women.Due to this psychological feature, women more often suffer from hypertensive crises.
Symptoms of hypertension in women are usually stronger;women are more attentive to their health and consult a doctor on average much earlier than men.
Characteristics 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 slightly different from those of women.
First of all, these are severe and chronic stress, causing an increase in adrenaline levels, and hence blood pressure.An equally important role is played by chronic intoxications of various origins, ranging from air pollution in industrial areas, dangerous working conditions and ending with alcohol or tobacco addiction.
Diabetes mellitus, lack of physical activity and excess body weight can also provoke 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 burden, parents with hypertension should know how to identify hypertension in children.
Hypertension can affect children of all ages, with adolescents at puberty being particularly susceptible.The provoking 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 persistent increase in blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg.Art.