Hypertension is a common and dangerous cardiovascular disease. In simple words, it is a disease of high blood pressure. If the treatment is not started in time, it will lead to serious consequences, such as stroke, heart attack, loss of ability to work, disability and finally death is not excluded. Therefore, it is important to know which symptoms accompany the disease, to recognize them in time and to 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 by at least three control indicators of blood pressure measurement. If you notice that your blood pressure is "jumping" throughout 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, the indicators of normal well-being will be the numbers on the screen of the pressure measuring device from 100 to 60 to 140 to 90.
If the blood pressure stays at 140 constantly or quite often, this is a sign to see a doctor.
Why does hypertension occur?
Pressure increases as a reaction to processes occurring inside and outside the body. These are stress, an unpleasant environment, an increased level of risk. 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 from overstrain, 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;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- lack of organic substances in the body, including magnesium;
- inheritance.
Who is first in line?
Hypertension mainly affects those who have relatives with this disease in the family.
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 this. 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. This is why it often appears in women during menopause.
Signs of hypertension appear in people who experience constant stress at work and in life. Smokers and people with diabetes are at risk.
Symptoms most often appear 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 young generation often suffers from high blood pressure.
Why is hypertension dangerous?
The consequences of hypertension are dangerous for the whole body. It leads to:
- loss of vision;
- kidney disease;
- metabolic syndrome;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- erectile dysfunction.
This is a reason, first of all, to learn about the symptoms of hypertension and to recognize the disease in time.
Hidden symptoms of hypertension
Unfortunately, the disease often begins to appear hidden. Symptoms are usually not visible in the initial stages. To be more precise, they exist, but people most often do not pay attention to them, attributing diseases to fatigue and routine. Signs of hypertension include frequent headaches. They are not related to weather changes or time of day. They appear suddenly at night or immediately after waking up and occur in the middle of the day. They look like a "circle" that presses on your temples. Patients often describe the pain as feeling "like bricks placed in the back of the head. "It intensifies when you bend over or make sudden movements.
In addition, symptoms will include:
- nausea;
- blurred vision: fog and mist before the eyes;
- clouding of consciousness;
- lethargy and apathy;
- ringing in the ears.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should start measuring your blood pressure. Its constant high rate is a reason to sound the alarm and contact specialists.
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;
- morning swelling;
- swelling of the hands;
- memory impairment or partial loss.
Stages of hypertension: when should the alarm sound?
The disease has several boundaries. The first stage is a pressure fluctuation within 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, changes in lifestyle and daily routine are required.
The third stage of hypertension is indicated by irreversible processes occurring in the body. Due to the heavy load on the vessels, the pressure rises to 180 to 110. The worst thing in this case is the consequences. Without prompt treatment for hypertension, there is a high risk to life.
At all stages of development, the patient can be overcome by a hypertensive crisis. It leads to a worsening of all the symptoms of the disease. In this case, the lower pressure becomes high. Symptoms 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 to remember first:
- The pressure should always be lowered gradually. A sharp fall can put you at risk for a heart attack;
- How to normalize the condition is explained only by a qualified specialist in each individual case. There is no point in doing the treatment yourself;
- If you feel improvement, you should not stop taking the medication. 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;
- You don't have to wait for a temporary cure. Hypertension is a disease that does not develop overnight and does not go away overnight.